Four regional environment projects will get underway in the spring thanks to grants from Lake Huron Forever and its Ontario partners. That’s thanks to an investment from Bruce Power of $2 million annually for non-profit organizations that positively impact the environment, community, Indigenous peoples, and health care.
The Lake Huron Forever program supports projects to kickstart community conversations and actions to design and complete on-the-ground work to strengthen the health and well-being of residents, and natural resources. The successful projects in Ontario combine a mix of educational and in-the-ground activities.
The Lake Huron Coastal Centre will use the funding for a “Green Ribbon Champion” Coastal Stewardship & Education Program for shoreline residents. The project will also put on a series of workshops, site visits, and restoration events. Meantime, stewardship Grey Bruce will establish an educational rain garden, bioswale, and tree planting for a Tiny Forest at Peninsula Shores District School in Wiarton. Workshops will involve students in the bioswale design and selection of appropriate native plants, and will also talk about stormwater management.
The Kagawong River Stream Restoration will use nature based solutions to aid in climate change resilience. The Manitoulin Streams initiative will also support the municipality’s Community Energy and Emissions Plan, and provide opportunities for the public to become engaged with these shared natural spaces. Finally, the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority will assist and advise landowners on using permanent land cover to slow erosion which can impact Lake Huron’s water quality. With the grant, GSCA will now be able to add an additional 200 acres to their Cover Crop initiative.
Lake Huron Forever aims to integrate Great Lakes stewardship into all aspects of coastal community life. Four Michigan projects were also awarded similar grants for stormwater management and nature-based solutions in this round, funded by The Consumers Energy Foundation, to Alcona Community Schools, NEMIGLSI, the city of Bay City and to Michigan State University extension.
“The Lake Huron Forever initiative was developed in 2019 by shoreline community foundation conservation partners from the United States and Canada to advance water quality protection and healthy sustainable communities on both sides of the lake. Facilitated by Northeast Michigan conservation nonprofit Huron Pines, the Lake Huron partners — Bay Area Community Foundation, Community Foundation Grey Bruce, Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, and Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network have convened around an action agenda that encompasses the goal of granting to on-the-ground projects supporting nature-based solutions to stormwater management on both sides of the border,” according to a statement from Georgian Bay Forever.
“With the help of so many partners and volunteers, we’re happy to have helped identify projects in the region that use nature-based solutions to stormwater management to increase our landscape’s resilience to climate change,” said Leigh Grigg from The Sustainability Project, a partner in the international alliance.
“Bruce Power is committed to strengthening our communities, protecting our environment and enhancing a clean, safe and sustainable way of life for present and future generations,” said Mike Rinker, Bruce Power’s Vice President, Regulatory, Environment and Sustainability. “We are excited to partner with Lake Huron Forever to support these important initiatives that help to protect and enhance the health of Lake Huron, its surrounding ecosystems, and the communities which depend on it.”
People can learn more about Lake Huron Forever, the action agenda, and the upcoming One Water Gathering conference in Grand Bend, at www.lakehuronforever.org.
