Restoration Projects
Alder Management & Stream Enhancement
Speckled Alders are abundant in riparian habitats and while they can be a beneficial tree for some wildlife, they are often short-lived and have shallow roots, causing them to collapse into the streams and create blockages. These blockages collect debris over time and eventually impede fish passage and interrupt the natural flow of the stream. Each summer, alder blockages, and blockages from other fallen trees and debris, are removed where needed and patch cuts are created in problem areas to allow other Acadian Forest tree species to be planted in their place, such as Yellow Birch, Sugar Maple, Northern Red Oak, and Eastern Hemlock.
Before
After
Native Tree & Shrub Planting
Every year our group plants thousands of native trees and shrubs in a variety of habitat types throughout the watershed such as riparian zones, uplands, forest understories, and hedgerows. Planting native trees and shrubs helps increase diversity and establish strong root systems to help keep our soil in place.
Brushmats
Brushmats are built in the stream on the inside of a bend to help capture suspended silt and re-esteblish banks that have been widened. Brushmats are usually made from spruce or fir boughs and are attached to the bank with stakes and secured with twine.
Cover Logs
Cover logs are installed in areas along the stream that are lacking natural woody debris. Woody Debris is important to fish survival because they use it as a rest spot, as well as a hiding area from predators. There are a variety of types and sizes of cover logs; however, at HCWG, we make our cover logs with already fallen logs that we find along the stream and install them on the edge of the stream's thalweg using either rope, twine or rebar.
Learn more about how we install our cover logs by opening this document.
Invasive Species Removal
Invasive species are harmful because they outcompete native species, disrupt ecosystems, and reduce biodiversity. They can spread disease, damage natural resources, and cause economic losses. Some are even dangerous to humans or interfere with recreation and infrastructure. We work on removing as many invasive species as possible within streams, ponds and in riparian zones.
474.5 pounds of Garlic Mustard removed
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34 bags of Bittersweet Nightshade removed from Campbells Pond
Garbage Cleanup
Garbage clean ups are conducted each summer. We preform road side clean ups, riparian zone clean ups and beach clean ups. In 2024, 20kg of garbage was removed from beaches in Rustico, North Rustico and Anglo Rustico. 4.59km of roadside was cleared and 1km of riparian zone was cleaned.