Longer days, thawing soil, beautiful budding plants and flowers signal the exciting arrival of spring. It’s the perfect time for new beginnings and embracing the outdoors.
Local wildlife is also awakening from hibernation, or hibernation-like winter rests. Snapping turtles, cecropia moths, woolly bear caterpillars, garter snakes, big brown bats and groundhogs are a few facing the world and seizing the day.
Waking up the Credit River Watershed
Like our wildlife friends, spring often marks the start of our busy season. From April to November, we are making the most of the warmer weather to connect with urban, rural, farm and corporate landowners across the Credit River Watershed.
Stewardship means taking special care of something entrusted to us. Our goal is to empower landowners to learn more about their properties and to take action to benefit themselves and the environment.
Working Together
Collaboration is fundamental to our work. The success of our events and land and water improvement projects is possible because of the amazing contributions from our residents, farmers, institutions and business owners.
Last year alone, our stewardship team connected with over 1,000 people across the watershed at 39 events. We also provided over $115,000 in funding to help complete 286 projects on private land.
Carrying the Momentum Forward
Land and water improvement projects, whether they occur on a farm, a rural or urban home, or even at an office, contribute to a healthier and more welcoming home for all life in the watershed.
Some projects that help create a safer and cleaner community include:
- Upgrading wells to provide cleaner water and prevent contamination.
- Restoring wetlands provides a great place for turtles to hibernate in the coming winter.
- Restoring grasslands provides enhanced habitat and food sources for pollinators, like moths and caterpillars.
- Planting trees that will eventually help provide homes and shelters for bats.
Overtime, our watershed cumulatively transforms from these changes, and we’re eager to continue carrying the momentum this year. Join us as we emerge from hibernation to help protect the land you love. Contact us to get started.
By Eva Thorpe, Technician, Environmental Outreach and Communications