Submitted by Paulina Szlachta, Sustainability Manager, FMS
SLC’s Office of Sustainability would like to thank the River Institute, Watersheds Canada, and our wonderful volunteers for coming out to plant on Cornwall’s shoreline on November 7th, despite the rain! Cornwall campus is situated on the beautiful and ecologically rich banks of the St. Lawrence River.
During the workshop participants planted a variety of native species that support the natural environment. Deep roots of large shrubs and trees help anchor the shoreline, while finer roots of small shrubs and wildflowers keep finer soils and sediment in place, limiting shoreline erosion. Increased biodiversity acts as a habitat for species such as fish, turtles, birds, and small mammals. Natural vegetation of shorelines acts as a natural transition zone between terrestrial and aquatic environments, and can reduce stormwater runoff, and limit sediment and pollution to the river.
Read more about the planting workshop in the Cornwall Standard Freeholder, and about SLC’s Sustainability Plan.