Get to Know your Pollinators!

Posted on February 28, 2022 by Monica

We often talk a lot about pollinators as a general grouping of insects we see in our gardens and hear about on the news. Recently, there are major concerns about the health of honeybee populations in North America and how a decline in pollinators has many severe implications. Aside from honeybees, there are about 800 other species of bees in Canada, and as well as countless other species of butterflies, moths, beetles, and hummingbirds that are considered pollinators. Today we want to get to know some of Canada’s lesser-known pollinators!

But first, an important side note. Bats are a critically important pollinator in North America, but not present in Canada as a pollinator. Supporting Canadian bat species is still important to maintaining a well balanced ecosystem. However, if you like tequila or mizcal, you should especially care about bats as pollinators in other countries!

Bees

As bees are the most common and important pollinator (with over 800 species in Canada), let us get to know a native species found across Canada. The Mining Bee does indeed mine, or burrow, into the ground to make a nest and raise its young. These bees are only active in the springtime, which is why historically they were believed to be the original primary pollinator of native fruit trees and other food sources. Typically, they are a fuzzy rust colour, and they are docile with their sting being too weak to penetrate human skin. In addition to being an important pollinator, these bees also help to aerate the soil through their nesting activities.

Butterfly

The Canadian Tiger Swallowtail present from the bottom tip of Ontario, across the country, and up past the Arctic circle. You can often find males huddled around puddles to get nutrients and water. They are a very common, and beautiful, pollinator species found in Canada. With a wingspan of up to 8cm they have a large wingspan to transport pollen! Swallowtail presence in your garden can also help to deter predators like birds and lizards.

Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (Simon Lunn).

Bird

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird is another species spread across virtually all Canadian provinces. Its presence is only in the warm months as these hummingbirds spend the winters in Central America. It has been proven that these hummingbirds fly the 800km over the Gulf of Mexico in a day and they do not hitchhike on the backs of other birds as previously thought! Another curious feature of these cool little creatures is their ability to remember the placement of food sources from the previous summer. If you are looking to attract some hummingbirds to your property, pick tubular shaped flowers, or use a hummingbird feeder and keep it in the same area of your property year to year. Make sure to keep the food source away from windows, and keep the space dedicated to hummingbirds and not near other bird feeders or food sources. This is because hummingbirds are very defensive over their food! Make sure to regularly clean your hummingbird feeder, too. While being beautiful and a great pollinator, ruby-throated hummingbirds also consume smaller insects like spiders and aphids, making them a great defence for your garden.

There are over 1,000 species of pollinators in Canada that support our agricultural industries and who are critical for general ecosystem health. Not only do these species complete the important task of pollination, they also fill other ecological niches in their environments. Supporting pollinators is a key component of promoting a well-balanced ecosystem on your property and beyond!

Pollinators are primarily threatened by habitat loss and degradation, and pesticide use. As individuals, we can all do our part by avoiding the usage of harsh lawn chemicals and by planting native flowering plants wherever possible. A great place to start to naturalize your shoreline property is our Natural Edge Program, including the Wildflower Garden Guide, and Native Plant Database where you can see what native plant species are best suited for your eco-zone. Whether you create a designated pollinator garden or just add some wildflowers among your normal plants, every little bit helps to support these important creatures.

For everything pollinator-related, be sure to check out the Pollinator Partnership.

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This blog post is part of an education and engagement series that is generously funded by the RBC Foundation through RBC Tech for Nature, a global, multi-year commitment to support new ideas, technologies, and partnerships to address our most complex environmental challenges. To learn more about Watersheds Canada’s project that is funded through RBC Tech for Nature, please read this media release.

Top 5 Ways to Support Winter Wildlife

Posted on February 12, 2022 by Monica

Winter in Canada officially lasts a total of 4 months, although sometimes it can feel much longer! This season can be a difficult one, especially for wildlife. Canadian species have either evolved to migrate to warmer climates, hibernate, or adapt to these seasonal changes. Some of these adaptations include hibernation, storage food, physical changes, and other location dependent characteristics. The increased development of natural areas has placed stress on species throughout the year but particularly in the wintertime. The silver lining is that there are things you can do to help support your shoreline wildlife this winter.

Support Native Plants!

Prioritizing native species on your property has year-round benefits. Native plants are more suited to Canadian climates meaning they are typically more winter hardy, and often fill an ecological niche throughout each season. For example, black chokeberry (pictured below) blooms lovely flowers in early spring that support pollinators, provides cover and edible greenery during the summer, then grows edible berries in the fall that last throughout the winter. Even native plants that do not act as a direct food source will provide valuable habitat and help diversify the landscape. If you have specific animals you want to support or see, you can look up native plants they frequent and plant those species next growing season!

Naturalize your Shoreline!

A naturalized shoreline not only provides valuable habitat for animals year-round, but it can also provide benefits such as soil stabilization, flood mitigation, and climate control. It has been shown that some freshwater fish species prefer the near-shore area during the wintertime, especially if the area has overhanging vegetation present. As well, leaving areas of woody debris, large cobbles, or other such natural features is beneficial in supporting both aquatic and terrestrial species. The Natural Edge Program can help support you in planning and planting your shoreline with your choice of native vegetation!

Limit your disturbance

The best way to limit your impact on the shoreline is to create pathways through your property and stick to them. This can be beneficial year-round, but especially impactful in the wintertime. Many terrestrial creatures take shelter in and under snow piles, typically at the interface between the snow and earth. Try to avoid near-shore activities that disturb the water under the ice. In winter, terrestrial or aquatic animals have metabolic limitations and finite food supplies. It is important that they limit their movement to preserve energy and not increase their risk of predation. There are options and opportunities to create or help enhance winter habitat, like restoring in-water structures for local fish species (pictured below).

Start planning for spring!

Nothing helps beat the winter blues quite like planning next season’s gardens. Winter is a good time to look into local programs, like Love Your Lake and the Natural Edge Program. You can also check out your local Conservation Authority or Lake Association for additional programs. If you are more of a do-it-yourself type person, check out the Native Plant Database to find native species for your eco-zone.

If you are planning to do major work along your shoreline or in the surrounding areas, look into environmental guidelines and local by-laws for any potential permits needed. This is especially important if you are doing any in-water work as spawning times of fish should be considered. Finally, winter is a great time to look back into your maintenance records and see if any upkeep is required. If you have a septic tank, when was the last time the honey-wagon paid a visit? If you have eavestroughs, do they need to be cleared out? Often, it is good to book these services ahead of time as they can book up quickly right when you need them.

Winterize your chemicals.

Any chemical compound, especially in liquid form, should be stored year-round in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, away from heat sources, and in an area that is not susceptible to flooding. This can be in a garage or shed outside the home that is well set-back from your shoreline. It is important to store all materials according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This is because many commonly used chemicals can freeze, expand, break their container, or leak if they are not stored correctly. These chemical spills pose a threat to human health and environmental health. The accidental leaching of chemicals into the surrounding environment or the cleaning of spilled chemicals can often lead to harmful contaminants entering the local watershed. Proper storage is also important to ensure the product is usable post-winter. For example, freezing will ruin many types of paint and alter the colour of the product, which would be a nasty surprise when you want to use it in the spring! Do not wait for winter to hit to store your fertilizers, pesticides, paints, and gasoline. Many of these common chemicals have a freezing point above 0°C. The best thing to do is to read the instructions on the label or look up the specific Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) online.

Winter can be a tough time out in the natural world, but by following these five simple tips and tricks, you can make a positive impact on your local ecosystems. Summer might seem like a long way away, but it is never too early to reach out to start planning for better weather. Watersheds Canada has many different programs, partnerships, and free resources that are available to help you support your shoreline health.

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Watersheds Canada nominated for 2021 Nature Inspiration Award

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Monica

Watersheds Canada is honoured to be a finalist for the Nature Inspiration Awards in the Not-For-Profit (Small and Medium) category. The Nature Inspiration Awards recognize individuals and organizations whose specific projects encourage Canadians to take an interest in natural history, create links with nature and contribute to its preservation. Specifically, our innovative Natural Edge Program, the only program of its kind in Canada, has been recognized with this nomination.

Award winners will be announced on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. Best wishes to all of the finalists!

You can learn more about the Nature Inspiration Awards on the Museum’s website: https://nature.ca/en/about-us/museum-corporation/nature-inspiration-awards/2021-finalists

Media Release – Watersheds Canada to launch Canada’s first and only natural shoreline restoration software

Posted on June 14, 2021 by Monica

JUNE 14, 2021

Watersheds Canada – In partnership with ten other grassroots organizations across Canada, Watersheds Canada is proud to announce the national launch of the Natural Edge Program thanks to generous funding by the RBC Foundation through RBC Tech for Nature.

Vegetated buffers are effective in removing over 90% of runoff when compared to non-vegetated shorelines and are critical in mitigating the effects of climate change. These areas provide critical habitat and shade for 90% of aquatic wildlife and 70% of land-based wildlife at some point in their lifetime.

Watersheds Canada’s Natural Edge Program empowers Canadians to take local action on the restoration and conservation of their freshwater resources by enhancing their shoreline areas with native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. By working in 11 new communities across Canada, the Natural Edge Program will address the pressing issue of development impacts on local freshwater resources by providing training and all program materials to each group. This will build capacity as they can continue this work into the future and ensure long-term sustainability.

“What makes our approach unique is we have created our Natural Edge App which makes designing shoreline restoration plans fast and easy”, says Chloe Lajoe, Natural Edge Program Manager, Watersheds Canada. “It is very user-friendly and allows us to create plans on-site with the landowner in less than an hour. We have also developed and integrated our custom Native Plant Database to ensure that suitable plants are chosen on a site-specific basis. We provide all the program communication and education materials needed. There is no other program that pools all of these resources together and packages it as a ready-to-go program.”

”To keep our freshwater healthy, scientists suggest that we need to leave at least 75% of our shorelines natural. Our data shows that only about 22% of shorelines on 173 lakes assessed meet this minimum criteria for lake and wildlife health. There is a huge disconnect between people’s values and actions and our Natural Edge Program is designed to bridge this gap”, says Barbara King, Executive Director, Watersheds Canada.

This generous donation is from the RBC Foundation through RBC Tech for Nature, a global, multi-year commitment to support new ideas, technologies, and partnerships to address our most complex environmental challenges. The donation will see on-the-ground, nature-based action across Canada, benefiting hundreds of thousands of Canadians. This comes at a time when shorelines are under considerable threat from climate change and increased development pressures and unsustainable land-use. Shorelines are pillars of local ecosystems and economies and the RBC Foundation has stepped up to ensure these areas are protected for generations to come.

“At RBC, we believe in the power of innovative technologies to address and scale solutions to some of the most pressing environmental issues of our time,” said Valerie Chort, Vice-President, Corporate Citizenship & Sustainability, RBC. “We’re proud to be working alongside Watersheds Canada to develop real-world, scalable solutions to tackle the challenges that continue to plague our environment.”

The Natural Edge Canada-wide program launch will be delivered in 2021 in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and New Brunswick in partnership with eleven organizations:

Shawnigan Basin Society, Shawnigan Lake, BC
Carrot River Valley Watershed Association, Melfort, SK
Moose Jaw River Watershed Stewards, Moose Jaw, SK
North Saskatchewan River Basin Council, Hafford, SK
Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds, Regina, SK
South Saskatchewan River Watershed Stewards, Saskatoon, SK
Wascana Upper Qu’Appelle Watersheds Taking Responsibility, Regina, SK
Kawartha Lakes Stewards Association, Kawartha Lakes Region, ON
Watersheds Canada, Eastern ON
Canaan-Washademoak Watershed Association, Canaan and Washademoak watersheds, NB
Nashwaak Watershed Association, Fredericton, NB

“The Shawnigan Basin Society has completed four independent foreshore restoration projects in the past. We are absolutely delighted to upgrade our program with the support services and technological advances offered by Watersheds Canada’s Natural Edge Program”, says Shirley Astleford, Director, Shawnigan Basin Society. “This program promises to provide us with an expanded opportunity to connect with private landowners who wish to improve their ecological footprint and contribute to increased biodiversity in their community.”

Grassroots organizations who regionally deliver the Natural Edge Program receive a “program in a box” which includes all of the resources and training they need to carry-out the Program from start to finish. Groups are equipped with the custom-built Natural Edge iOS App, online Admin System, and Native Plant Database to engage Canadians and implement shoreline restorations. This innovative technology solution streamlines the restoration process, allowing delivery partners to create custom shoreline restoration designs easily and effectively.

“The Canaan-Washademoak Watershed Association is thrilled to be part of this national initiative to protect and restore our riparian zones”, says Shawn Dalton, Executive Director, Canaan-Washademoak Watershed Association. “We look forward to collaborating with Watersheds Canada and to learning from our colleagues across the country.”

When a shoreline property owner participates in the Natural Edge Program, they are involved in every step of the process. Each custom plan is designed on-site and includes descriptions of native plant species that are selected by the landowner based on their personal preferences and property conditions, such as sunlight and soil type. Using the App, photos are taken of different areas of their property. These photos are then overlaid with selected plants so landowners can see what their restored shoreline will look like before planting actually takes place.

Shoreline property owners living near any of the above listed regional delivery partners are encouraged to contact them directly to arrange a site visit. Spots are limited and are given on a first come, first serve basis. If you have general questions about the Natural Edge Program, please email naturaledge@watersheds.ca

About Watersheds Canada

Watersheds Canada is a registered Canadian charity committed to providing programs to communities across the country to engage and help individuals enhance and protect the health of their lakes and rivers. Since 2002, they have delivered freshwater stewardship programming, shoreline naturalizations and assessments, and in-water habitat restorations. To learn more, visit Watersheds.ca

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Media contact:

Chloe Lajoie
Natural Edge Program Manager
Watersheds Canada
naturaledge@watersheds.ca

Watersheds Canada featured on CBC News – “Shorelines ‘not a backyard swimming pool,’ lakefront landowners reminded”

Posted on May 20, 2021 by Monica

Watersheds Canada is thankful to Robyn Miller of CBC Ottawa for bringing attention to the exponential pressures and development on Ontario’s waterfront properties as more people work from home and turn their cottages into permanent residences.

Read the full CBC article on their website.

Media release – Quinte Watershed Re-Naturalized with 7,780 Native Plants Thanks to the Natural Edge Program and Quinte Conservation

Posted on January 25, 2021 by Monica

January 25, 2021

Watersheds Canada – With a modified planting season and reduced staff and volunteers, nineteen shoreline properties still received the Natural Edge Program in 2020 thanks to a strong partnership between Watersheds Canada and Quinte Conservation.

The Quinte watershed saw 2,320 metres of shoreline naturalized with 7,780 native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers in 2020. This is in addition to the 3,966 native plants that were planted along 1,560 metres of shoreline in 2019.

Delivered in partnership with Quinte Conservation, the Natural Edge Program worked with waterfront property owners to restore their shoreline by planting native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers.

“Working with Watersheds Canada to re-naturalize residential waterfront lots and in parks continues to be such a positive experience! The Natural Edge process is fun and engaging for our watershed residents. It’s a great way to help protect our waterways and stabilize shores while enhancing vital habitat for wildlife”, said Maya Navrot, Stewardship Coordinator with Quinte Conservation.

“We have been so encouraged by the response from waterfront residents across our region and look forward to another busy year of shoreline restoration in 2021”, Navrot adds.

Each landowner received a full-service restoration program, which included the creation of a shoreline restoration plan for their property using Watersheds Canada’s Natural Edge App. Each customized plan provided detailed descriptions of native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers suitable for planting based on their site conditions and personal preferences.

The planting was carried out by Quinte Conservation and Watersheds Canada staff and local volunteers. In addition, participating landowners were only required to contribute a portion of the total project costs. The remaining costs were paid for through generous funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

“We had a great year working with Quinte Conservation and all our participating landowners, I’m quite happy with all we accomplished and look forward to continuing in 2021”, says Chloe Lajoie, Natural Edge Program Manager.

A major focus of the Natural Edge program this past year was restoring five demonstration sites, including Cherry Valley Park on East Lake, Whytock Park on Deer Creek, O’Hara Mill Homestead on O’Hara Pond, Zwicks Park on Bay of Quinte, and the North Fredericksburg Sports Complex in Napanee. These sites were a great way to educate and involve local nature groups and volunteers in naturalizing a site that is important to them.

Quinte Conservation, Cherry Valley Park Association, O’Hara Volunteer Association, Madoc Lions Club, Town of Madoc, Town of Greater Napanee, Rotary Club of Belleville, and City of Belleville supported these demonstration sites. Each group was fundamental in leading plant selection, event coordination, and planting on the demonstration sites.

One demonstration site that received the Natural Edge Program was Cherry Valley Park.

“Our group was involved in the planning process as we chose which native plant species we wanted to add to our Park’s shoreline buffer. We planted in the fall with help from Quinte Conservation and Watersheds Canada staff. It was a very positive experience overall”, said Bradley Brummell, one of Cherry Valley Park Association’s Directors.

“The newly planted trees, shrubs, and wildflowers will help protect our park from the growing impacts of erosion. The plants will make the public boat launch and dock safer and help beautify the park. We hope more people will use our park for various events in the future”, adds Brummell. The Association also planted a memorial tree in honour of David R. Clapp that stands with the other trees from deceased Cherry Valley Lion’s Club members.

The Natural Edge Program project in the Quinte watershed was generously funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Funding for the O’Hara Mill Homestead demonstration site and Whytock Park demonstration site was generously provided by Ontario Trillium Foundation and TD Friends of the Environment. The Natural Edge Program would not be a success without the support and involvement of local lake associations, community groups, and volunteers – thank you to everyone who made an on-the-ground difference for the Quinte watershed!

The Natural Edge Program has one more year of funding in the Quinte watershed. To learn more about the Natural Edge program and see if you are eligible for a site visit, please email naturaledge@watersheds.ca or visit http://naturaledge.watersheds.ca. Spots are filling up quickly and are given on a first come, first serve basis.

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Contact:

Chloe Lajoie
Natural Edge Program Manager
Watersheds Canada
naturaledge@watersheds.ca

Media Release – The Natural Edge Program is a Perfect Fit for Local Farmers

Posted on March 4, 2020 by Monica

March 4, 2020

Watersheds Canada – The Muskrat watershed will see improved water quality as 15,000 native trees and shrubs work to reduce run-off and stabilize eroding shorelines.

Watersheds Canada, the Muskrat Watershed Council and Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus completed the second year of their joint Muskrat Lake Watershed Rehabilitation Project. The project sees to plant a total of 45,000 native trees and shrubs along agricultural shorelines over 3 years. To date, 30,000 native plants have been planted in the watershed.

The project uses Watersheds Canada’s Natural Edge Program to design and implement the planting. Participating landowners received a free site visit to discuss the current state and goals of their shoreline and then site parameters were measured. Using the Natural Edge App, a planting plan was created which outlined the planting compartments, the native species chosen to be planted, the financial breakdown, and the Landowner Stewardship Agreement. With generous funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, LUSH Canada, Whitewater Brewing Company, and M&R Feeds and Farm Supply, the program was completely free to the landowners.

In 2019, a total of six sites in the Muskrat watershed saw 3814 metres of shoreline naturalized using 15,000 native trees and shrubs.

One agricultural property owner that took advantage of the program was Stephen Edwards.

“We were already thinking about planting trees on the site. When we heard about the Natural Edge program, it was a perfect fit for us”, said Edwards. Adding, “Almost 10,000 trees and shrubs were planted on our two properties. We thank all the volunteers who helped plant the species which will help the water quality”.

A driving force of the project is working with local community groups to locate planting sites and carry-out the project to reach our shared goals of a healthy environment and clean water preservation.

“It has been so great to work with Watersheds Canada and Algonquin College on this project. Hats off to the farmers who let us take over their land and plant. The agricultural community on a whole has been greatly supportive, and as a farmer myself this makes me so proud”, said Karen Coulas, Muskrat Watershed Council Chair and Co-Director of Agriculture.

Students from Algonquin College also played a role in protecting the watershed, helping on planting days and collecting water quality data.

“Watersheds Canada has devoted considerable time and resources to these planting initiatives in our community. As part of the Natural Edge Program, students at Algonquin College have received hands-on learning through water sampling, streambank assessments, and streambank naturalization in the Muskrat Watershed”, said Julie Sylvestre, Algonquin College’s Managing Director of Applied Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.

“Most importantly, students are provided with the opportunity to be changemakers in their community through projects that demonstrate a real benefit to the local environment”, Sylvestre adds.

This project provided students, volunteers, and farmers the opportunity to learn about the benefits of a natural shoreline and why they are so important. Native trees and shrubs were planted to improve water quality by filtering out excess nutrients and toxins before entering the waterway, as well as to help stabilize shoreline banks and create vital wildlife habitat.

The Natural Edge Program would not have been a success in the Muskrat watershed without the Muskrat Watershed Council, Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus, the landowners who took part in the program, and the volunteers who helped plant.

“We had a very successful second year of our project and it was great working with our partners, the farmers, and all the volunteers who helped us plant. The positive impact we’ve made in the Muskrat watershed will be felt for years to come and I look forward to continuing in 2020 with our final year of the project”, said Chloe Lajoie, Natural Edge Program Manager, Watersheds Canada.

This program was generously funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Daniel and Susan Gottlieb Foundation, LUSH Canada, Whitewater Brewing Company, and M&R Feeds and Farm Supply.

Interested agricultural property owners in the Muskrat watershed are encouraged to contact the Natural Edge to see if they are eligible to participate in 2020, the final year of funding for this project. Please email naturaledge@watersheds.ca or visit https://naturaledge.watersheds.ca

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Media Release – Quinte Watershed Benefits from Native Plants Thanks to the Natural Edge Program

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Monica

March 3, 2020

Watersheds Canada – Ontario’s shorelines faced high flood levels and erosion rates in 2019, but thirty-seven landowners in the Quinte watershed took local action to protect their property by participating in Watersheds Canada’s Natural Edge Program.

In partnership with Quinte Conservation, this program worked with waterfront property owners to restore their shoreline by planting native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. Each landowner received a full-service restoration program, which included the creation of a shoreline restoration plan for their property using Watersheds Canada’s self-developed App. Each customized plan provided detailed descriptions of native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers suitable for planting based on their site conditions and preferences. The planting was then carried out by Watersheds Canada staff and local volunteers. In addition, participating landowners were only required to contribute 25% of the total project costs, as the remaining costs were paid for through generous funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

In total, the Quinte watershed saw 1560 metres of shoreline naturalized using 3,966 native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. An additional 6,500 native species will be planted in spring 2020.

“We received a very positive response from the community, receiving more calls from interested landowners wanting to take part in the program than we ever have before. It was a great first year of our project and I look forward to continuing in 2020”, said Chloe Lajoie, Natural Edge Program Manager at Watersheds Canada.

Many landowners enjoyed taking part in the program. “Once you realize the importance of having a natural edge along your shoreline, you can do nothing but want to take action”, said Conrad Biernacki. Conrad owns the Black River Bed and Breakfast in Milford, Ontario and participated in the Natural Edge program in fall 2019. “The Natural Edge Program provided us with the perfect solution all for an extremely affordable cost. The Natural Edge Program is for everyone who lives by the water and cares about the environment.”

By planting, landowners worked to improve water quality as native plants filter excess nutrients and toxins out of water run-off. Vegetated shorelines also stabilize the shore and reduce soil erosion as plant roots hold soil in place, and overhanging brush reduces the impact that waves and boat wakes have on a shoreline. In addition, landowners actively created vital wildlife habitat that is home to over 90% of aquatic wildlife at some point in their lifetime.

“Bringing this fully inclusive program to the Quinte region was a huge step in addressing identified barriers to engaging property owners in shoreline stewardship,” says Maya Navrot, Stewardship Coordinator with Quinte Conservation. “Property owners were guided through the entire process, from the site plan to the physical planting. Both the property owner and the natural ecosystem benefit, from slowing property erosion from wind and wave action, to protecting water quality and re-establishing essential habitat for a wealth of wildlife.”

Not only does the project support planting on residential and agricultural properties, but two demonstration sites were planted on public lands. The sites were at Consecon Mill Dam Conservation Area Pond & Park in Prince Edward County, and at Riverside Park in Belleville. Quinte Conservation, The Corporation of the County of Prince Edward, Friends of Wellers Bay, and the Quinte Field Naturalists supported the project, helping with coordination and planting.

This program was generously funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Daniel and Susan Gottlieb Foundation, and was made possible because of partnerships with Quinte Conservation, local lake associations, and volunteers. A big thank you goes out to all who made this project so successful!

The Natural Edge Program has two more years of funding in the Quinte watershed. To learn more about the Natural Edge program and see if you are eligible for a free site visit, please email naturaledge@watersheds.ca or visit https://naturaledge.watersheds.ca

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