Port of Johnstown Strengthening Shorelines and Partnerships Through Ribbon of Life Shoreline Project

Johnstown – Last week, under the warm fall sunshine, staff from Watersheds Canada and volunteers from the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne joined efforts at the Port of Johnstown to support a collaborative shoreline restoration initiative.

The Port met with the Department of Infrastructure, Housing, and Environment, as well as the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, to develop a plan to stabilize the shoreline using the Natural Edge Program.

This initiative is part of the Port’s ongoing commitment to strengthening relationships with Indigenous partners and learning from their environmental expertise.

Following several productive meetings, the Port engaged Watersheds Canada—a valued partner of Akwesasne—to design a detailed plan for planting native vegetation along the shoreline, enhancing ecological stability and biodiversity.

Often called the “Ribbon of Life,” shorelines are essential to the health and sustainability of Canada’s freshwater ecosystems.

They provide a wide range of benefits, including:

• Reducing erosion and stabilizing the land-water interface.
• Protecting water quality by naturally filtering runoff and intercepting harmful pollutants before they reach lakes, rivers, and streams.
• Providing food and habitat for countless wildlife species, including many that are at risk.
• Enhancing the natural beauty and economic value of waterfront properties.

Through this partnership, the Port, Watersheds Canada, and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne are working together to protect and restore the shoreline—preserving the “Ribbon of Life” for generations to come.

Special thanks to Tianna, Melanie and Jess from the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and Chloe, Jonathan, and Amy from Watersheds Canada.