WC134 JanFeb 2024 - Magazine - Page 18
FRESHWATER
for all species, in the entire lake ecosystem. It is biologically
referred to as the riparian zone, or “ribbon of life.”
The Natural Edge program has delivery partners and supporters across Canada and is most recently funded through RBC
Tech for Nature. It supports community parks and other municipal properties, but the highest uptake comes from individual
landowners. They receive customized planting plans that suit the
needs of their property and waterfront lifestyle.
Through the Natural Edge app and native plant database, we
recommend (and in some areas, personally deliver and plant)
native species that will create a stunning waterfront oasis. A
vibrant natural edge can be created without heavy equipment
and professional labour, and for pennies on the dollar compared
to the per linear foot cost of break walls made from lifeless and
time-limited construction materials.
Stewardship success stories
While I do not own shoreland myself, I do own over 100 acres of
woodland, property that was purchased in the interest of conservation. Wooded acreage like mine captures carbon and serves the
entire community in terms of biodiversity and greenspace protection. Paying the taxes is required annually, but the initiative to
improve its priceless eco-function is not.
My recreational downtime will never outnumber my work
time in the woods. Hours of back-bending tree and trail care,
and all the other weekend grunt work is the life simply accepted and embraced by the likes of farmers, woodlot owners, and
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WATER C AN ADA • JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2024
cottagers. It is a land ethic that generates new growth, combats
invasive species, and supports better habitat for multiple species
including species at risk.
Waterfront property owners can relate to this kind of labour
of love. They never stop thinking globally while acting locally.
Families may volunteer at the local fish hatchery, build loon
nesting platforms, service and upgrade septic system to prevent
blue-green algae blooms, take part in community science programs to detect road salt
runoff and other pollutants, or spend their
time and hard-earned money to plant native
trees and shrubs for the health of the entire
waterbody and everyone else downstream.
Ultimately, they are the eyes and ears of the
lake, raising environmental concerns with
town councils and lake residents while being
a part of the solution and not the problem.
Local anglers also deserve credit for
assisting Watersheds Canada with clearing
silt from walleye and lake trout spawning
beds. Additionally, we’ve worked together
to add brush bundles (woody debris) in the
water, enhancing fish habitat. Boaters have
volunteered their watercraft, fuel, and time,
guiding our Love Your Lake teams around bodies of water in a
program that assesses shoreland integrity.
In my neck of the woods, land conservation costs, namely
taxes, can be offset through forest management incentives, but
there is no system like this for the humble lake steward who
contributes to society’s greener good. This is where Watersheds
Canada believes our shoreland expertise and vast partnership
network can create the framework to encourage more volunteer-led shoreland preservation. In doing so, we want to propose
a sustainable model that matches other successful tax break
incentives and stewardship protocols. We welcome all ideas and
support.
Planning for the future
In the meantime, Planning for Our Shorelands can start with a
Watersheds Canada program by precisely that name. Planting
plan toolkits and the science of vegetated buffer zone webinars
are among a great list of free resources available to property owners, municipal planners, and local decision-makers. Watersheds
Canada may also be available to visit a local council with our
professional delegation on how a community can come together
at all levels to save our shorelands.
Environmental action sets the scene for a perfect day on the
water. In the future, the picture of lake life should be more than
Muskoka chairs and paddleboards, even though both provide a
place to connect with the stewardship goals of great organizations and volunteers.
WAT E R C A N A D A . N E T
Watersheds Canada
Community and conservation
The Natural Edge, a program of Watersheds Canada, was recognized as a Water Canada Award conservation finalist in 2023
for its role in planting over 135,000 native plants along over
352,000m2 of shoreland. This program is challenging the hardened landscape trend. Naturalized shorelands are scientifically
proven to be the most productive breeding and feeding habitat,
