R.H. Saunders Generating Station

About the Program
Ontario Power Generation’s R.H. Saunders Generating Station is located in Cornwall, Ontario, on the northern border of the St. Lawrence River. Here, the team manages a half-acre landscaped garden, five-acre right-of-way (ROW) and milkweed field for the benefit of local wildlife and pollinators.

Practices and Impacts

• In coordination with their partners, the River Institute, the team at Ontario Power Generation provides a variety of environmental education activities on-site. During the spring and summer school breaks, River Institute educators present nine workshops with a different theme each day for drop-in visits by families with children. Themes cover topics like A Bug's Life; Eco-Arts; World of Wildlife; Feeling Fishy; and The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. During the regular school year, the River Institute offers at least 17 educational programs per year for schools and youth groups on issues related to the St. Lawrence River ecosystem, which include indoor and outdoor activities.
• In 2019, the team at Ontario Power Generation planted a half-acre landscaped garden with a variety of native plants to support local pollinators. Since then, the team has monitored the plants and pollinators using the garden several times throughout the year and considers the garden to be successfully established.
• Beginning 2020, planning for a ROW meadow began and a milkweed field was installed in order to expand native pollinator habitat. Ongoing management includes adaptive mowing schedule to support pollinator populations and native seed enhancement. Pollinators and vegetation are monitored annually. 
• Ontario Power Generation is also certified under Pollinator Stewardship program and started an education event in 2021 for employees and partners that focuses on the importance of native pollinator habitat.