Healthy Waters:
Blue Lakes & Wetlands
Water is the life force of almost all beings in the world, and thus is of the utmost importance to protect! Pristine waters are essential to the health of ecosystems, wildlife and humans. This is why we must be conscious of how our actions impact the health of aquatic systems. In order to preserve the integrity of these systems and essential services they provide, we must do our best to responsibly manage both our waters and land.
Blue Lakes Project
Sometimes referred to as shorelines or the “ribbon of life”, shorelands are actually a wide band of land that surrounds a lake, including upland areas that are at least 30 m beyond the riparian edge. Since shorelands are ecotones, or a meeting place of upland and lowland/aquatic ecosystems, they provide important food sources and habitat for 80-90% of freshwater species, as well as essential support for up to 70% of land-based wildlife too – from birds, to minks, and moose. Learn more about how to keep your shorelands healthy and how to build a Shoreline Stewardship Network for your lake by checking out our Blue Lakes Project.
Shoreland Gardens
Shorelands are not only important for wildlife, they are also important for us! They provide important filtration and bank stabilization services that are essential for both our health and safety. We all want to have beautiful shorelands, but how? Who do we plant? Where do we plant them? What wildlife will different plants attract? All of these questions and more can be answered through joining our Shoreland Garden workshops! Learn how to make your shorelands healthier, safer and more wildlife friendly by attending!
Wetlands
Wetlands provide many incredibly important ecosystem serves. They act as the kidneys of our waterways, providing immense amounts of water filtration services. They provide essential breeding and rearing habitat for many organisms including frogs, waterfowl and fish. They are important allies in the fight against climate change because they are massive carbon sinks (they sequester carbon). They store and retain water preventing it from flooding our homes and streets.
Yet, our wetlands have been under attack for many years as development has progressed. Thus, it is now more important that ever to preserve our existing wetlands, in order to ensure that future generations, of both humans and our non-human kin, can prosper.
The Natural Edge Site Visits
Book a site visit for a custom shoreland naturalization design site visit. Receive a full detailed plan and 50 free native flowers or 10 free shrubs. This program is delivered in partnership with our friends at Watersheds Canada.