Baxter Outdoor and Environmental Education Programs
Baxter Conservation Area offers outdoor and environmental education programs for students and community groups from preschool to grade 12 and beyond. Join us in our outdoor classroom and give your students the opportunity to explore and connect with nature. Our education programs provide students and visitors with interactive, hands-on, curriculum-based experiences where they will learn about the natural world and their relationship with it. We also offer outdoor education programs where students will learn navigation and outdoor survival skills as well.
Baxter can accommodate up to 60 students per day. All equipment is included in our programs and each program runs approximately 1.5 hours in length. Below please find descriptions of each of the programs we offer. Descriptions are offered as general guidelines — if there are specific objectives that you would like to accomplish, please let us know. Although grade levels are recommended for each program, these are also only guidelines. Please select any desired fields to narrow your search.
| Half Day Program | $200 / group * | maximum 30 students, 90 minutes with an RVCA instructor |
| Full Day Program | $275 / group * | maximum 30 students, two 90 minutes with an RVCA instructor |
| Self-directed | $2.50/person * | Interested in just visiting the conservation area with your class but not booking a program? The cost is $2.50/person. This does not include the use of buildings other than access to public washrooms. To reserve facilities, contact staff. Staff must still be contacted to book a self-directed visit. |
| Overnight Tent Camping (accommodations only) | 1-15 people - $75/night * 16-30 people - $150/night * 30+ people - contact for pricing * Additional buildings also available for rent (link to facility rentals) |
Take you class on an overnight adventure to our group camping area! Plan your own activities or book our education staff to provide programming during your stay (see above for pricing). |
* plus applicable taxes
Baxter’s Cancellation Policy: A minimum of fifteen (15) business days notice is required to cancel education programs at Baxter Conservation Area.
This policy gives schools/groups on our waiting list sufficient time to try and fill the program opening. If Baxter Conservation Area is notified of a cancellation less than 15 business days in advance of your scheduled visit, a cancellation fee of $50.00 will be charged.
In the event of severe weather conditions (i.e. thunderstorms, snowstorms, etc.), Baxter staff will make contact with your school/group by 7:00 AM the morning of your trip if we need to re-schedule or cancel the program on that day. There will be no charge for a cancellation made due to school bus cancellations or severe weather conditions on the day of your trip.
Baxter Education Program Descriptions
Super User
Otty Lake Fish Habitat Improvement Project
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority in partnership with the Otty Lake Association collaborated to enhance fish habitat in Otty Lake — specifically spawning, nursery and feeding habitat for smallmouth and largemouth.
What was done?
Phase 1 (2013)
- Installed 75 gravel spawning beds a using round river wash stone
- Deposited wood branches and small trees anchored in cement as well as brush bundles — this wooded debris created habitat for many food sources such as crayfish and aquatic insects as well as places where fish can rest, find shelter and feed
Phase 2 (2014)
- Installed 83 spawning beds and sank 185 wooden clusters as shelter and feeding habitat
- Placed 58 large rocks (cornerstones) various nests providing additional cover for dedicated smallmouth bass fathers as they brood their young
Phase 3 (2015)
- 49 spawning beds, nine brush piles were placed in shallow weedy bays to provide more shelter and feeding habitat
- 75 cornerstone were placed at various nests which provides cover and shelter for the guarding male and fry
Through all three phases 228 bass nests were installed, 133 cornerstones added, 335 trees/branches and nine brush bundles placed in shallow areas. A total of 840 volunteer hours were accrued. In addition, 20 wood duck nesting boxes were installed.
Monitoring:
RVCA staff and volunteers monitored the success of the project with site visits in spring and summer. This entailed counting active nests, making observations on the integrity of the gravel and observing the wood structures using an underwater camera.
The Results:
successful/confirmed spawning on nests
2014 — 41%
2015 — 43%
2016 — 55%
2017 — 36%
2018 — 56%
2019 — 58.5%
Project Partners:
Information:
Jennifer Lamoureux
Aquatic and Fish Habitat Biologist,
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
613-692-3571 ext. 1108
Britannia Village Flood Control Project
In September 2007, City of Ottawa Council approved a funding arrangement for a remedial flood control project in Britannia Village. The Britannia Village Flood Control Project looks to reduce expected property damages, public safety risks and inconvenience in this existing community during Ottawa River flood events up to and including the 1:100 year flood. The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority has agreed to undertake the design, construction and long-term management of the flood control system.
Construction began in the fall of 2015 and a Notice of Completion was circulated in February 2018.
Project Partners:
Information:
Terry K. Davidson, P. Eng.
Director Regulations,
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
613-692-3571 ext. 1107
Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation
The Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation (RVCF) is always looking for enthusiastic individuals to become board members and assist with fundraising efforts. To learn more about the RVCF visit www.rvcf.ca.
Contact:
Diane Downey
RVCF Executive Director
613-692-3571 ext. 1126
