In Spring 2018, Watersheds Canada partnered with the Muskrat Watershed Council and Algonquin College’s Office of Applied Research to undertake the monumental task of planting 45,000 native trees and plants over three consecutive years along agricultural stream banks and shorelines in the Muskrat Watershed.
The goal of the Natural Edge project, created by Watersheds Canada, is to restore shorelines to a more natural state. This, in turn, will stabilize the soil, reduce erosion and sedimentation while offering new habitat for wildlife and fish. These new trees and shrubs will also help absorb sources of agricultural run-off such as fertilizers and pesticides.
On November 6, 2020, the final 1,000 plants were installed and marked the project's completion. Over the course of 3-years (2018-2020), with the help of over 500 local volunteers, Watersheds Canada, the MWC, and the Office of Applied Research at Algonquin College's Pembroke Campus have successfully planted over 45,000 native trees and shrubs along agricultural streambanks in the Muskrat Watershed, covering an area of 113, 603 square meters (or 28 US Acres)!
Without the support of the local community, partners, and funders, including the Township of Whitewater Region, this program would not have been possible.
Thank you everyone for your contribution.”