A Shoreline Restoration Demonstration planned for Saturday, Sept. 25 in Smiths Falls is being postponed to May 2022 after organizers ran into difficulty obtaining permission to plant trees and shrubs at their preferred location at Lower Reach.

The shoreline restoration was originally planned for the shore of the Rideau Canal between Elm and Beech Streets where some 200 shrubs and 30 trees were to be planted. After authorities raised objections to that location, the committee chose a second location closer to Old Slys Road. Parks Canada recently expressed concerns about the second location, and the ongoing challenge of obtaining approval forced the committee to postpone the planting.

Chairman Peter Au said following a Sept. 21 meeting attended by representatives from Parks Canada, the Town of Smiths Falls, the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, Trees Canada and the Rideau Roundtable, it was agreed that the trees and shrubs will be planted at Turtle Island next spring.

Organizers plan to dedicate three of the trees in honour of Doug Stewart, the retired Director General of Parks Canada; Manuel Stephens, a retired planner who produced the first Rideau Canal Management Plan; and Stew Hamill, Voyageur Canoe Program Coordinator. Under Stewart’s term as director general the Rideau received Heritage River designation as well as World Heritage Site designation. All three honourees formerly served as directors of the Rideau Roundtable.

This is a multi-partnership project involving the Town of Smiths Falls, Colleges and Institutes of Canada, Tree Canada, RVCA, Rideau Environmental Action League, and Cogeco/Your TV. The project also relies on the support of volunteers from the Smiths Falls Horticultural Society, and assistance from Parks Canada and a landscape architect, said Au.

Article by Chris Must