Chantal Landry and the Science Committee developed a science community project for the association of the Bassin Versant du Lac Heney Watershed. The objective of the project is twofold:
- To build the property owners and community’s awareness of the need for shoreline protection
- To help the public become aware of the regulations and associated fines, and to be sensitized to their importance to the protection of the lakes, with the ultimate goal of ameliorate the health of the lakes.
The Governmental has established regulations to protect our lakes and rivers and failure to abide by the rules can lead to significant financial penalties.
The project consisted of the distribution of free milkweed seeds on June 3rd in Lac-Sainte-Marie and on June 16th in Gracefield. With the seeds that were distributed, Chantal provided information about the plant and how to maintain it, and an overview of the shoreline regulations.
The objective of the project is to increase awareness and sensitize people to the importance of keeping as much natural shoreline as possible around the lake and respecting the regulations. We also want to encourage residents to plant natural wild plants favorable to sustaining wildlife creatures in their natural habitat, and how to maintain it.
The advantage of planting wildlife plants around the shores is that it contributes to shoreline stabilization and prevents erosion. Planting shrubs, preferably native shrubs such dogwood, alpine currant, spirea, honeysuckle, and flowers such as iris versicolor and swamp milkweed instead of grass helps fight soil erosion and protects the health of the lake. These plants attract butterflies and other pollinators.
In addition, by reducing the grass area around the lake, you make it less attractive for large flocks of geese and other waterfowl to come and picnic on your lawn. Their feces are detrimental to your health as well as the health of the lake.
Please find below the documents distributed to the community.