Links:
Design Your Own Shoreline Garden
The Blue Lakes Project
Wetland Wonder
The American Eel
Turtle Guardians
Water ('nibi' in Ojibwa) is the fountain of life. Did you know that ocean water has the same composition as human blood, except without hemoglobin (which makes blood red). Everything that happens on the land is directed into and reflected in the water. This is the same idea as looking at what human's consume and how a person lives, being reflected in their blood. Doctors often rely on blood samples to diagnose a patient. We can see what is happening on land by testing water.
The Land Between has over 2400 pocketed lakes, wetlands, ponds, and many rivers. Walk in any direction in this region and within 500m, you will encounter a source of water. These water resources (above and below ground) have almost no buffer against pollutants because there is very little soil to absorb chemicals, nutrients or other inputs. Also, the region has a starker climate. Therefore water here is very fragile compared to areas to the south, because it is even more easily polluted from our land-uses and practices.
It is vital to our survival to sustain and conserve these precious resources.
The Land Between works extensively with partners from research institutions, educational institutions, to community groups and lake associations to steward our water. We offer landowner workshops, shoreline site visits, naturalization expertise and designs, and have launched large collaborative efforts to keep our water clean and fisheries healthy.
Check out our projects:
The Blue Lakes Project An eco-label for stewardship excellence that comes with a companion app linking to a database with vital information about your lake.
Wetland Wonder a project to raise awareness of Ontario's most diverse habitats and Nature's water filters
The American Eel Recounting the amazing journey of what was once the most abundant fish in these waters.
Design Your Own Shoreline Garden Annual workshops that provide you with tools and information to help you design a beautiful and natural shoreline. Also, a chance to order your Stewardship Starter Kits to get you started.
And don't forget to steward your shore property. Find out how in our Water Stewardship section