RBC Foundation: Funding to improve Omemee beach

Two recent grants from the RBC Foundation and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change will support a $30,000 lake management plan implementation project at the Omemee beach.

Working closely with City parks staff, the BlueScaping project will engage residents across the community while developing shoreline benefits, education, awareness, and improved water quality.

“This will be an exciting project for the Omemee community,” explains Kawartha Conservation Stewardship Coordinator, Holly Shipclark. “We will be working with the City’s parks and recreation staff, local community groups, and residents to improve this well-used and enjoyed beach area, which will have a positive impact for years to come.”

The project will involve creating a rain garden at the Omemee beach, naturalization on the shoreline, removal of more than 500 square feet of invasive plants, adding more than 250 native plants, and installing interpretive signage. Funds will also support three public workshops and a rainwater harvesting demonstration.

“Our beaches are popular destinations for residents and visitors during the summer months and shoulder seasons,” said Kawartha Lakes Parks Recreation and Culture Division Manager, Jenn Johnson. “Managing invasive plants and improving water quality by reducing urban run-off will benefit residents and beach users in Omemee.”

The first workshop, Storm Water Harvesting, took place on May 17, with the second workshop, Using Native Plants and Managing Invasives scheduled for June 7 and the third workshop, Rain Gardens will take place on August 8.

“Omemee has a really active and engaged community and we’re really looking forward to working with the residents there to help restore and protect the Omemee beach, as well as their own properties,” says Shipclark.

“Through the funds provided by RBC and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, as well as the environmental expertise of Kawartha Conservation, this project is a great example of the collective strength of working together with our community partners to achieve results that benefit our entire community,” says Johnson.

Lake management plan implementation projects are funded, in part, by the City of Kawartha Lakes. Work at the Omemee beach will get underway in June.

“This is the seventh year in a row that we have benefited from RBC Foundation support for lake plan implementation projects,” said Shipclark. “RBC’s support has been and continues to be invaluable in helping to improve lake health and the environment throughout Kawartha Lakes.”