Lower Trent Conservation continues to ‘walk the talk’ as part of its dedication to youth environmental education and caring for the Lower Trent watershed region. Last week the organization partnered with Alderville First Nation’s Black Oak Savanna Ecology Centre, and approximately 15 students from Roseneath Public School, in an effort to revitalize the natural health of Rice Lake.
The `Revitalizing Rice Lake’ project is a result of one special student’s vision shared during Lower Trent Conservation’s annual Caring for Our Watersheds™ competition. In 2016, Gezhii Smoke-LeFort, a student of Roseneath Public School, had the idea to improve the Lower Trent watershed region along Sandercock Creek, in Alderville First Nation. Smoke-Lefort’s vision became a reality on June 7th as the conservation authority and its partners joined forces for a special streambank planting project.
The streambank restoration project focused specifically on local agricultural runoff that affects Rice Lake’s water quality. By naturalizing the banks of Sandercock Creek, a tributary to Rice Lake, this buffer zone of easily-maintainable, native vegetation now acts as a filter for runoff from surrounding fields, hence preventing soil erosion and protecting the quality of the water.
“Lower Trent Conservation proudly supports implementation of students’ projects in conjunction with our Caring for Our Watersheds™ program,” says Corinne Harris, Environmental Education Technician with Lower Trent Conservation. “I am in awe of the hard work and dedication by the students and teachers we’ve worked with on this project. Truly, they are keen ambassadors of local environmentalism and stewardship and should be commended for the outstanding efforts they’ve made in achieving their vision of a healthy watershed.”
Lower Trent Conservation is working with project partners to plan a second planting event for September 2018 in hopes of continuing these important revitalization efforts.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
