February 21, 2025 – For someone who’s hiked the Perth Wildlife Reserve “more times than I can count,” being elected Chair of the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority’s board of directors is “very exciting.”
Perth councillor Gary Waterfield was elected to the one-year term at the RVCA’s board meeting on January 23, 2025. Past chair and North Grenville councillor Kristin Strackerjan was elected Vice Chair.
“This role is very much aligned not only with my lifestyle, but with my values and what’s important to me,” said Waterfield, who describes himself as an avid hiker and kayaker, with an interest in urban planning and municipal governance. He also sits on the board of the Perth and District Union Library and is an active member of the Friends of the Tay Watershed and the Rideau Trail Association.
“I’m passionate about what the RVCA is all about; its mission and its vision,” Waterfield added. The RVCA is one of 36 conservation authorities in Ontario responsible for furthering the conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources under the provincial Conservation Authorities Act. With a watershed draining more than 4,000 square kilometres across 18 member municipalities – from its headwaters in Central Frontenac all the way to Rideau Falls in downtown Ottawa – the RVCA protects people and property from natural hazards like flooding and erosion while conserving the wetlands, forests and natural areas that reduce their impacts.
RVCA general manager Sommer Casgrain-Robertson congratulated Waterfield, who has been a board member for two years.
“We know that he will bring passion, experience and vision to the role," said Casgrain-Robertson, adding her thanks for the outgoing Chair. “We thank Councillor Strackerjan for her strong and steady leadership during a busy two years.”
Waterfield, a retired human resources consultant, said one of his priorities as Chair is to increase staff interaction with the board of directors, so directors can better promote the value of the RVCA and its diverse programs.
“The average citizen knows conservation authorities play an important role in developing our communities safely and sustainably,” Waterfield said. “But there are many other valuable RVCA programs that we can promote as well, such as stewardship opportunities and watershed monitoring.”
Waterfield said his personal goal is to visit all 11 conservation areas operated by the RVCA by the end of his term.
To learn more about the RVCA or to access meeting minutes and agendas, visit www.rvca.ca/governance.
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