Riverwatch Future Scenarios Workshop II – Working Landscapes

On Saturday November 21st, 2009 at the Legion in Eganville, the BRWP Riverwatch Program hosted its second Future Scenarios Workshop. Participants of this event were those who make a living directly from the land and its natural resources. Interests represented here included those of forestry, agriculture, first nations, trapping and power generation throughout the Bonneche Valley. The event proved to be quite thought provoking for both BRWP facilitators and attendees.

Lunch at this event featured food that was grown and produced locally. Hot beverages were available all day which consisted of coffee from the Neat Coffee shop located in Burnstown (who also provided fresh bread), as well as Sacred Blend Tea from The Algonquin Tea Co. A stew was put together by the Legion ladies. Ingredients included beef from Stone Farms, and potatoes, carrots, and turnip from the gardens of the legion ladies themselves. An apple crisp was made from apples donated by Dobson Farm outside Cobden, and served with real whipped cream from Brums Dairy. The Dairy also provided milk, coffee cream, and butter as well. Needless to say, everything was delicious!

At the end of the event, participants left with a renewed sense of connectedness to other individuals whose livelihood depends on the sustainability of the Bonnechere Watershed. As a bonus, locally crafted duck nest boxes were made available to any interested persons. Installing a duck nest box on your property can help to increase the population of desirable waterfowl species such as Wood Ducks. For more information or to take part in our duck or bluebird nesting box program, please contact the Riverwatch coordinator at riverwatch@bonnechereriver.ca.

The outcome of this endeavour was four interesting and plausible future scenarios with both positive and negative aspects. These scenarios will be added in with those collected at the Shoreline Resident Future Scenarios Workshop to be further developed upon completion of the final scenarios workshop which will take place in early in the new year. Stay tuned for more information on the Scenario process!