We have concluded 2024 by wrapping up a large and long-awaited project. This project will provide great results in managing water and water movement on multiple properties, while also improving the quality and health of our waters through to Lake Huron.
The primary landowner and immediate neighbours have been experiencing high levels of runoff and erosion across their land for many years. It has occurred during spring melt and heavy rainfalls. They have implemented the management practices of buffer strips and tree plantings to help, but these have not been enough to combat the quantities of water and the soil it carries. This is why another strategy with the proven ability to deal with the large amounts of runoff and erosion was needed.

The project work highlights a 700m stretch of drainage ditch that crosses the primary landowner’s property. Step 1, of this project was to clean out portions of the ditch, removing the soil that eroded into the ditch from the field and return it back to the field. Step 2, an old water and sediment control basin (WASCoB) was repaired. The cement blocks of the WASCoB had shifted out of place over the years from the force of the water moving through the ditch. Our contractor put each block back in place and utilized rip rap to reinforce the structure as well as prevent erosion from occurring on the banks. Step 3, an equipment crossing was constructed to protect the structure of the ditch as it is a pathway between cropping fields. The crossing is made of concrete hog slats to allow water to flow and fall through to collect in the ditch. There is rip rap on either side of the crossing, that will prevent any build up of soil against the hog slats potentially clogging up the openings, while also allowing water to slowly flow through and overtop of the rip rap. The hog slats follow the contour of the ditch, so there is minimal danger of water overflowing outside of the ditch

The project was supported by Bruce Power’s 2023 Environment and Sustainability Fund and Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks through the Great Lakes Program. Thank you to our directors/volunteers for managing the project and for their in-kind hours planting at this project site.

Are you considering a project in the spring?
Do you have a project in mind that will improve your
environmental stewardship? We may have funding for you!

Projects can include tree planting, berms, cattle crossing, wetlands and more! These projects benefit your property, the environment, our communities, improving soil retention and resilience to severe weather, and providing habitat for wildlife. 

Connect with us! Email pineriverwin@yahoo.ca

GET SOIL SMART # 6

SOIL VS. DIRT

“All life depends upon the soil. There can be no life without soil and no soil without life; they have evolved together.” Charles E. Kellogg

Soil Scientists right down to backyard gardeners stand firm that soil and dirt are different. The reason being: using dirt when referring to soil belittles the complexity of soil and its importance to life on earth.

Soil is a living ecosystem which contains plants, animals, bacteria, fungi, organic matter, microorganisms, nutrients, minerals, providing the perfect environment for plant growth. Dirt on the other hand is dead, it is made up of sand, silt, and clay, like soil, but contains no other components, therefore it cannot support life.

Soil is everywhere under your feet (out of doors), while dirt is where you do not want it: under your fingernails, soles of your shoes, on your kitchen floor, etc.

“There is no time for ease and comfort. It is time to dare and endure.” Take Winston Churchill’s powerful words and stand alongside our soil enthusiasts to spread the word to all: SOIL IS NOT DIRT!

Article provided by Lisa Holland, PRWIN Project Co-ordinator.

Another season at the McLarty Centre. Winter is a season to celebrate the beauty of nature's quiet transformation!
This area is designed for our community to learn about the Pine River; wetland creation and the education of the local wildlife and plants that this area supports. PRWIN has installed a trail system throughout the area, created two wetland ponds, planted memorial trees, an osprey nest and planted over a thousand tree seedlings.
Community groups have enjoyed outdoor classroom experiences and exploring in nature at the McLarty location. 
For more information, please email: pineriverwin@yahoo.ca

SHORELINE REFORESTATION INITIATIVE

This fall, The Township of Huron-Kinloss and PRWIN partnered to encourage residents along the shoreline beaches to begin restoring the beach dunes following the high lake levels of the past few years. Over time, a great deal of the shoreline dune area has eroded by the wave action and high winds.
The lake levels have declined creating a wider beach and more of the sand is exposed to wind erosion, especially during the fall and winter seasons. The beach grass is established but larger plants with stronger root systems are needed to rebuild the protective shoreline dunes for the next high lake level period.
One of the best low profile options to assist with this restoration are Junipers (Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip'). Junipers catch the sand and build the dunes during the high wind and blowing snow storms in the fall and winter seasons. The roots hold the sand in the spring when the high winds return.
For the restoration effort to be most effective, the junipers must be planted on the “Swale or Back Dune Area” on the lakeshore. Over time the dunes will build up the sand necessary to again withstand the high water period of the Lake Huron cycle.
Lake Huron has high and low energy beaches. High energy beaches, like Point Clark see a “give-and-take” of sand throughout the year. Low energy beaches like Sauble Beach have more sand removed by wind and wave action, than is added. On low energy beaches, protecting the sand is essential because they’re slower to recover. In high energy beaches, multiple dunes form over time providing a ‘sacrificial buffer ‘during high lake levels. Vegetation grows larger further inland from the water’s edge, transforming from dune grass and sedges, to shrubs, and eventually trees. This ‘succession’ of dunes is natural and is unique habitat for many rare species. In the spring of 2025, PRWIN will be promoting another Shoreline Reforestation Initiative.

GREY BRUCE FARMERS WEEK

We had the opportunity to participate at Grey Bruce Farmer's Week. 
Over the course of the week attendees had the chance to learn about beef, dairy, goat, sheep, horse, crops and an ecological day. Each day included speakers, presentations and panel discussions with industry experts. It was a great opportunity to learn and connect with many professionals to share our work in our watershed.

PRWIN PROJECT SIGN

DONATIONS TO PRWIN'S 2025
SPRING SEEDLING PROGRAM

To date, our sponsors are the following:
Baywood Interior Millwork, Corteva Agriscience, Germania Insurance, K2 Wind, Meridian, NWMO, OPG and Society Of United Professionals. Their contribution will be put to great use to support our community spring seedling program.
We welcome sponsorship to host our tree initiative.

 

NWMO DONATION

Thank you to NWMO for supporting our current initiative, Green Elements - Friends of the McLarty Centre. The funding supports our program to educate about our local watershed with community groups at the McLarty Centre. PRWIN Chairperson, David Grant accepts the donation from Vanessa Liu, NWMO Representative.

BRUCE BEACH DONATION

Thank you to the Bruce Beach Cottagers Association for your continued support of our organization. Your contribution is enabling us to accomplish our goals, as well as helping to improve the natural quality of the watershed. Bruce Beach Cottagers Association donation to PRWIN Chairperson David Grant by Lauren Stief, BBCA representative.

Thank you to Smeltzer's Garden Centre for your donation. Your donation will support our on going efforts to provide community programs in our watershed. Thank you for recognizing and supporting our non-profit organization.

We would like to thank our community members for their donations in 2024 to support our non-profit organization. Our committee is grateful for their contributions, as well as supporting our mission of "Clean water and a healthy ecosystem within the Pine River Watershed." 

Thank you for recognizing & supporting our community projects.
"Time spent among trees is never time wasted”

We are a not-for-profit charity, and always welcome assistance from any business, association, or member of our community.

Come and Join Us!

Have you wondered what our non-profit organization is all about?

Would you like to volunteer and make a difference in our local watershed?

Why not join PRWIN and be involved with the growth and future success of our organization?

We encourage our vital community members to share our newsletter, website, and Facebook page. There is an opportunity for everyone to sign up for our newsletter. We have resources about our organization on our website and our social media page that will inform our community to be up to date with our present and future projects.

http://www.pineriverwatershed.ca
https://www.facebook.com/pineriverwatershedinitiativenetwork/
Please email pineriverwin@yahoo.ca to sign up for our newsletter.