I’ve lived along the shores of the Rideau River for almost 35 years. I’m grateful that nature has shared it with me and others. This river and the canal system that’s part of it, is a National Historic Site, Canadian Heritage River, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it remains the most extensive, well preserved and significant example of a continuous working canal/river in North America. Most sections of the river remain in their natural state, even rugged wilderness, while other areas support farms, homes, small towns, two big cities, and historic lock stations.
Our local conservation association is helping waterfront homeowners to restore their shoreline to a natural state to encourage a more positive ecosystem for flora and fauna through their Shoreline Naturalization Program. I first heard about this program a few years ago and even talked to someone at the local Ecofair last year. I read up on it and even found the guidebook On the Living Edge Handbook: Your Handbook to Waterfront Living at last fall’s book fair. I believe I already follow sustainable waterfront living, as mentioned in the book, like using clean recycled 45 gallon plastic drums (we were told they used to hold Coca-cola syrup) for our docks. But I was also guilty of a few things like making a beach 33 years ago with trucks of sand for the kids to play in. In the last few years, I’ve let the cattails and natural plants grow back in along the beach.
Siberian Iris among the cattails
This spring, I contacted the conservation authority to say that I was interested. I was too late for this spring’s projects but I had an on-site shoreline consultation about my vision. Luckily, I agreed to receive the ‘surplus stock’ from this years’ plantings: a variety of 106 native trees and bushes including White Pine; Red Maple; Sugar Maple; White Birch; Bur Oak; Tamarack; Cedar; Sweet Gale; and Pagoda Dogwood. They came as bare-rooted seedlings from 12-36” (less than a meter) tall. I planted them in 3 days.
Most of the tree seedlings were planted along the sides of the property – sugar maples closer to the house for easier accessibility for tapping in the spring when there might still be snow on the ground. The lower growing bushes, Sweet Gale and Pagoda Dogwood, were planted down along the river and up along the sides. I’ve saved a few for my ditch project.
Daisy
Along with these plantings, I’m practicing natural management of my grass cutting along the river. I’ve left a wavy swath 5-15 feet wide along the river’s edge this year with a path to the dock. I’m so thrilled that I have my own wee meadow! There are all kinds of native plants already growing like Daisies, Siberian Iris, native Irises, ferns, Joe Pye Weed, orange Daylillies, and wild Morning Glories. I’ve transplanted some ostrich ferns and other plants that love wet areas. I also have some Rue Meadow growing prolifically on the path by my pond that I’m going to transplant down by the river. Yesterday I noticed places where snapping turtles have probably laid their eggs. And I think we have a resident muskrat under the old dock.
I’m looking forward to watching nature do her thing down by the river.
“Flags” wild Iris
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