On October 14th, 10 volunteers from GE-Hitachi Canada participated in the planting of over 300 native shrubs and plants to enhance the shoreline along the Otonabee River at James Stevenson Park in Peterborough’s East City.
Volunteers planted red osier and silky dogwood, fragrant sumac, black-eyed Susan, and cardinal flower as part of Otonabee Conservation’s Peterborough Urban Shoreline Revitalization Project.
These locally adapted, native plants were sourced from GreenUP Ecology Park, and were carefully selected for their ability to stabilize shorelines and provide habitat for wildlife.
“Otonabee Conservation does great work in the Peterborough area to protect the health of the Otonabee Region watershed and it’s important to us to support local organizations that work to make our community and environment better,” says Rennie May of GE Volunteers Canada Council.
“Participating in the shoreline planting project as part of the GE Volunteers Community Days of Caring initiative was a rewarding experience for GE employees, and the work we did together with Otonabee Conservation will benefit the community for the long term.”
Otonabee Conservation launched the Peterborough Urban Shoreline Revitalization Project in 2014 with support from community partners and funding from the Government of Canada through the Federal Department of the Environment. The goal of the project is to engage local waterfront property owners and provide them with opportunities to enhance their shoreline. Volunteers and students have assisted in enhancing shorelines throughout the City during the project, which will continue until the end of 2015.
There are 10 watercourses flowing through the City of Peterborough, resulting in many urban waterfront properties. Through the Peterborough Urban Shoreline Revitalization Project, landowners can increase the benefits that result from encouraging natural, vegetated shorelines on their properties.
“The abundance of water and public access to water is a key contributor to the high quality of life we enjoy in the Peterborough area,” says Dan Marinigh, Chief Administrative Officer at Otonabee Conservation. “At Otonabee Conservation, we consider the protection and enhancement of this resource to be a community responsibility and we are pleased to play a leadership role through these programs.”
Over 40 shoreline assessments have now been completed. As a participant in the project, landowners are provided with a customized report about the health and condition of their shoreline. To enhance their shoreline, participants also receive a $50 voucher that can be redeemed for native plants from GreenUP Ecology Park, or a rain barrel to reduce erosion from runoff and to collect rainwater for use on gardens.
The City of Peterborough has also been a key participant in the project, as it owns a significant amount of shoreline on a number of watercourses within the city limits. Otonabee Conservation and the City of Peterborough are therefore working closely to enhance many of the shorelines along Little Lake and the Otonabee River, in particular.
“The City of Peterborough has an abundance of shorelines and recognizes the importance of keeping them natural and healthy,” says Mary Gallop, Manager Facilities and Special Projects for the City of Peterborough,
This commitment to protecting urban shorelines is demonstrated by a variety of city projects and reports, including the Little Lake Master Plan.
Volunteers and students have assisted in enhancing shorelines throughout the City as part of the Peterborough Urban Shoreline Revitalization Project. This fall, Otonabee Conservation will continue to work with the City of Peterborough, local schools, youth groups, and community volunteers to enhance more shorelines in the city and county.
The program continues until the end of 2015, and there is still time to participate as a landowner and a volunteer. Contact Otonabee Conservation for more details at otonabeeca@otonabee.com or 705-745-5791.
All photos courtesy of GreenUP.
