he site on the Pine River was experiencing rapid warming, due to deforestation and bank erosion from historic agricultural activities. This caused excess sediment and attached phosphorus to enter the river, degrading water quality and habitat.
In 2022, 150m of bank was stabilized with natural materials to prevent erosion, improve the aquatic habitat and make the river more resilient to the impacts of climate change. Volunteers assisted with tree plantings, native wildflower seeding, shrub propagation and in-water bank stabilization. An excavator installed large tree roots to fortify the bank and provide in-water cover habitat for fish. The banks were then graded into terraced shelves, which reconnect the floodplain to the river. Trees and shrubs were planted along the edge of the river to provide shade.
This project improves habitat in the Pine River and water quality downstream in the Nottawasaga River, Georgian Bay and Lake Huron.
Nearest city or town: Mansfield
Project start date: May 15, 2022
End date: May 15, 2023
Project focus: Ecosystem Restoration
Project contact: Laura Wensink and Fred Dobbs