Water Restoration in Pine River Watershed

The relationship that Pine River Watershed Initiative Network (PRWIN) has with the landowners of the watershed is absolutely central to our mandate of restoring clean water and a healthy ecosystem to the Pine River watershed. As of 2012, PRWIN has completed over 68 environmental restoration projects on over 30 separate landowner’s properties throughout the watershed. This has been accomplished through cooperation and the generosity and enthusiasm of the local community. Many landowners in the Pine River area are long term residents of this watershed and have grown up with a passion and knowledge of their landscape. Those who live “on top of the hill” (the glacial Lake Algonquin shoreline bluff) depend on the soil and weather for their livelihood: this gently sloping table land provides rich agricultural opportunities. In contrast, “below the hill” the sand and sun of the Huron Fringe area bring people from near and far to enjoy the splendour of Lake Huron.

Over the last few decades, however, there has been a decline in water quality within the Pine River and this has brought many landowners to the environmental table and drawing board. Eleven landowners sit on the Board of Directors of PRWIN and from here they steer this charitable organization towards their goal of returning the watershed to what it was like when they were children. Old folks fondly remember a place where you could catch enough fish for supper each night and where, no matter how hot the summer, there would always be a deep swimming hole to cool off in after the farm chores were done.

Times have changed, though, and it is unlikely that we or anyone can turn back the hands of time. In recent decades, the population of the Pine River watershed has increased and agricultural practices have become more intensive, leading to the loss of forests and wetlands. As in many locations across southwestern Ontario, our ancestors came to a land rich in natural resources. Today our local environment is vastly different. That’s why the PRWIN is working closely with local landowners to enhance, restore and foster appreciation of this unique watershed