KAWARTHA — Over the past two years, Kawartha Conservation, in collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), has spearheaded the Talbot River Healthy Environment Initiative. This innovative program has empowered farmers within the Upper Talbot River subwatershed to champion water quality improvement efforts, benefiting both the local ecosystem and downstream areas, including Lake Simcoe.
By establishing partnerships with local farmers, Kawartha Conservation has effectively implemented a series of Best Management Practices (BMPs) aimed at safeguarding and enhancing riparian areas, the crucial buffer zones between water bodies and surrounding land.
Throughout this initiative, conducted across five different properties from Kirkfield to Norland, a range of sustainable projects have been implemented.These initiatives include riparian plantings, installation of exclusion fencing andsolar-powered alternate watering systems, as well as the construction of a manure storage solution. The collective efforts have resulted in the restoration of over 1200 meters of streambank, revitalization of over 2.6 acres of habitat, and the planting of more than 2600 trees and shrubs, along with 150 perennials. These plantings, including the installation of over 350 meters of cattle exclusion fencing and a manure pad, serve to mitigate erosion, sedimentation, and nutrient runoff into watercourses, resulting in significant improvement in water quality and wildlife habitat.
To gain deeper insights into each project, informative videos are available for viewing on the Kawartha Conservation website.
Source : Farmersforum