Wildflowers and trees make a natural edge

Mar 20, 2019

The Natural Edge Program for shorelines is coming to Quinte Conservation’s Watershed with help from Watersheds Canada.

Maya Navrot, Education and Stewardship Coordinator for Quinte Conservation says, “Natural Edge is a well-established program that makes the process of restoring a shoreline easy and engaging for the landowner. We are excited to see this program come to our area.”

Residents living along waterways such as creeks, rivers, and lakefronts can beautify their properties with the help of Natural Edge. Areas of open shoreline will benefit from plantings of native wildflowers, shrubs and trees.

Susan Moore, from the Friends of Salmon River says, “There is a misperception that a planted shoreline will deter views. A well-planned shoreline planting offers open access to the water, with low growing wildflowers and small shrubs for maintaining views, and larger trees and shrubs to the edges at property boundaries.”

Naturalizing your shoreline has many benefits, including enhancing your property value and improving lake health and habitat. Navrot adds, “Naturalizing your shoreline provides important habitat for over 70% of land-based wildlife, 90% of aquatic life, and it improves water quality by filtering water runoff and controlling erosion.”

Eligible landowners will get a full-service restoration program, which includes the creation of a shoreline restoration plan with descriptions of native wildflowers, trees and shrubs suitable to the site. Watersheds Canada will provide the plants and implement the planting.

Moore adds, “Past participants have enjoyed the simplicity of this program and the beauty of their planted waterfront. Funding is provided by an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant, so landowners pay only 25% of the total cost of the project, and the cost per property will depend on the individual site.”

If you are interested in learning more or connecting with project staff for a confidential free site visit, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 613-264-1244.

Quinte Conservation is a community-based environmental protection agency. It serves 18 municipalities in the watersheds of the Moira, Napanee and Salmon Rivers and Prince Edward County. It provides cost-effective environmental expertise and leadership. Quinte Conservation’s main goal is to create a sustainable ecosystem where people and nature live in harmony. More information about Quinte Conservation is available at www.quinteconservation.ca.

Watersheds Canada is a federally incorporated non-profit organization and registered Canadian charity committed to providing programs in communities across the country to engage and help shoreline owners enhance and protect the health of lakes and rivers. More information about Watersheds Canada is available at www.watersheds.ca

For more info: Susan Moore, Friends of Salmon River This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 613-379-5958

Photo of a natural shoreline through the natural edge program