Programs

Experience Conservation and Discover the Mclarty Centre!

Come Out & Explore In Nature!

For 25 years, PRWIN has been dedicated to preserving and enhancing the health of the Pine River and surrounding ecosystems.With collaborative efforts, we have implemented many projects focusing on water quality, habitat restoration and community education and outreach opportunities.

The McLarty Outdoor Learning Centre provides a conservation area with a trail system, two wetland ponds, an osprey nest and countless mature trees. The area is an opportunity for local youth organizations, environmental groups, individuals, and families to discover nature in the local environment.

• Scenic Trails – trail system thoughout the area
• Photography – capture nature’s beauty
• Outdoor Classroom – engage learning with nature conservation activities
• Educational Hosting – sun shelter, picnic tables and interpretive story boards
• Wildlife Viewing – to explore wildlife species in their nature habitat
• Bird Watching – great spot with a variety of species to observe
• Relaxation – unwind and regroup in nature

“The Pine River Watershed’s McLarty Environmental Area has provided an enriching area for our Horticultural Youth Group to meet each year. The 30 children in our group, ages 6-14, look forward, each year, to the meetings held at the centre. They have had the opportunity to see and learn about our native species of flora and fauna. Hiking on the trail to identify plant and bird species and observing frogs are some of their favorite activities. As a leader of the Youth group I really appreciate that we have access to such a wonderful area so close to home for our children to learn and explore. The Pine River Watershed has been an excellent support for the environmental and horticultural teaching that we do and we greatly appreciate that.”

Heather Newman – Ripley and District Horticultural Society For Our Youth Club.

To schedule an outdoor experience, please email pineriverwin@yahoo.ca

Spring Seedlings Program

We work hard all year to secure funding to purchase seedlings every Spring! We can take order requests down during any season, but the seedlings get delivered in early Spring (usually late April). Local landowners and residents can order the foot-long (from root bare to tip) seedlings in any quantity and supplied species they like! PRWIN picks up the seedlings and will contact participants for a local pick-up date and location. Our hardworking volunteer directors and two part-time employees will pick and organize the custom orders. Requests from landowners that require help planting hundreds of trees on acreage, PRWIN can provide assistance by having our volunteer directors “tractor tree plant” the seedlings by using our custom tree planting implement.

Here is the latest list of available tree seedlings through our Spring Seedlings Program:

*availability dependent on total quantity ordered

Call us at 519-395-5538 or email pineriverwatershed@pineriverwatershed.ca to place your Spring seedling order.

Potted Tree Ash Replacement Program for Huron-Kinloss Shoreline Residents:

Program available in 2025 – Due Date for order is June 1st.

The Pine River Watershed Initiative Network has developed a new program! If you reside along the Lake Huron shoreline in Huron Kinloss Township, and have ash trees affected by the Emerald Ash Borer, you could be eligible for a FREE large-potted replacement tree through our Potted Tree Ash Replacement Program! Call us to see if your property qualifies, and to get involved in the program. The “Huron-Kinloss shoreline area” includes Lake Range Drive and below (west) to the shore of Lake Huron, south from Hwy 86 to north Saratoga Rd/Huron.We will do our best to fulfill the species choice of the landowner, but will need to remain flexible with availibility from the nuseries and soil conditions. Typical native species include; maple (silver, red), beech, birch, cedar, spruce, oak, walnut.  We are aiming to deliver the large potted trees in late September for landowner planting. If you require help planting, we can arrange help!

Email pineriverwatershed@pineriverwatershed or call 519-395-5538 to get involved in the program!

MAP: Boundaries Map

Infected Ash Trees will begin to lose their upper branch foliage first. Look for bark splitting, S-shaped grooves under the bark, and D-shaped exit holes.
In some cases, treatment through inoculation is successful. PRWIN can help you locate a certified inoculation expert in the area!

Education and Outreach Programming: Speaker Series

PRWIN has been asked by many local groups and clubs to speak at their annual, or monthly meetings. This opportunity allows local residents and their peers to be brought up to date with our activities. A PowerPoint presentation is usually given by our Projects’ Coordinator. This presentation discusses how and why we exist, and highlights the past, present, and future in-ground projects and programming we are establishing.

Call us at 519-395-5538 or email pineriverwin@yahoo.ca or pineriverwatershed@pineriverwatershed.ca to request a meeting date. We do our absolute best to accommodate all requests, however, some dates and times may be out of our regular scheduled working hours.