The North Bay – Mattawa Conservation Authority is helping homeowners protect shorelines and stream banks. The agency is again offering free plants, trees and shrubs to be placed closed to shorelines to reduce soil erosion. During the past two years the Conservation Authority has provided more than 70 property owners with 12,500 trees, shrubs and plants under the Restore Your Shore program. The objective this year is to involve 30 more property owners in the program. To date, more than three kilometres of shoreline and streambanks have seen the addition of trees, plants or shrubs to their habitat.
The Conservation Authority doesn’t just give homeowners plants. It also helps them develop a plan to prevent soil runoff, maintain a waterfront view while keeping the plantings aesthetically pleasing. What’s asked of the homeowners is a commitment to maintain the plantings for five years. In addition to preventing erosion, the plantings prevent additional phosphorous from getting into the water. Phosphorous leads to blue-green algae which produce toxins and that affects all things that depend on the water, which means people, fish and wildlife. Waterfront homeowners who want to take part in the program can contact Reilly Henderson, the Conservation Authority’s Stewardship Project Coordinator. Henderson is available at 474-5420 or via email at [email protected]
