The Wooded Corridor of Saint-Gilbert
Saint-Gilbert, Québec, Canada
- Planting 5,500 trees across 10 acres
- Improving watershed health through riparian plantings
Alcoa Foundation and American Forests are partnering with CAPSA to restore watershed health to a section of the Grand-Bras of the La Chevrotière River in Saint-Gilbert, Canada, by planting 6,500 trees across 10 acres.
Why This Project:
The Grand-Bras of the La Chevrotière River is located within an agricultural area of Québec, with very little tree coverage along its path. As a result, the stream is eroded and the aquatic habitat is deteriorating. This project is restoring stream health by planting trees along both sides of the stream, creating a forest buffer that will diminish erosion and improve the water quality for local wildlife. As a buffer, these trees are also providing protection to the stream from the chemicals and fertilizers used on the nearby agricultural fields.
Why La Chevrotière River:
Lack of tree cover has caused many areas of the La Chevrotière River to become uninhabitable to its aquatic wildlife, as species like brook trout are isolated to patches of the river shaded by woodland. Shade is necessary for many aquatic species, as it lowers the water temperature, which increases the water’s oxygenation level. Species like the brook trout need high oxygen levels to survive.