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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

WESTPORT, Feb. 19, 2021 – A new story trail adventure at Foley Mountain Conservation Area is bringing new meaning to Ontario’s winter wonderland as families get outside this winter.  “Over and Under the Snow” by Kate Messner with art by Christopher Silas Neal brings to life the magical world happening under the snow while teaching kids how different animals survive the winter.  From hibernating bumblebees to “tough guy” chickadees, the book “evokes a lot of imagination,” said site supervisor Rebecca Whitman, who is also the lead outdoor educator at the park.  “Kids can connect the words to what’s happening in…
February 18, 2021

Neighbourhood Flood Maps

Super User

Learn More:

Within the RVCA’s regulated floodplainstaff have identified a number of Flood Vulnerable Areas throughout the watershed where flood events may have an impact on nearby properties. (See watershed map and table).

A series of new Neighbourhood Flood Maps for 20 vulnerable City of Ottawa communities along the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers shows the potential extent of flooding for 1:2, 1:5, 1:10, 1:20, 1:50 and 1:100 year return period floods for these neighbourhoods. 

NOTE: These maps are for informational purposes only and are not as exact as those used for regulatory purposes. 

New Edinburgh Kingsview Park Brantwood Park
Rideau Gardens Windsor Ave Warrington Dr
Brewer Park Summerside Dr Hurst Marina
Commodore Lane Lorne Bridge Rd Fennel Lane
Rideau Valley Dr (Kars) Lannin & Sheppard Lane Hilly Lane
Rideau Glen Eligh Lane Boise Village/Morin Rd
Grandview West Grandview East  

Please note:

  • The 1:2 year return period flood event has a 50% chance of occurring in any year.
  • The 1:5 year return period flood event has a 20% chance of occurring in any year.
  • The 1:10 year return period flood event has a 10% chance of occurring in any year.
  • The 1:20 year return period flood event has a 5% chance of occurring in any year.
  • The 1:50 year return period flood event has a 2% chance of occurring in any year.
  • The 1:100 year return period flood event has a 1% chance of occurring in any year.

 All Rideau River Additional Flood Maps are based on recorded flow at the Rideau at Ottawa [02LA004] gauge, located at Carleton University. The two Grandview Ottawa River Additional Flood Maps are based on recorded flow at the Ottawa River at Britannia [02KF005] gauge. The Boise Village/Morin Road Additional Flood Map is based on recorded water levels at the RVCA Cumberland gauge.

DISCLAIMER:   Users of the RVCA flow data and water level data are cautioned to consider the unverified nature of the information before using it for decisions that concern personal or public safety or the conduct of business. The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the information contained in this website nor liability to any user of such information, regardless of the purpose. River levels and flows can change rapidly.

OTTAWA, Feb. 8, 2021 – Rural Ottawa landowners can access an additional 40,000 trees thanks to a generous donation from One Tree Planted.  RVCA’s tree planting program helps private landowners turn farm fields and other marginal land into thriving forests of the future. This is the second year of support from One Tree Planted, which will transform 20 hectares of idle land into functioning green infrastructure. Forests protect soil from erosion, improve nearby water quality, reduce flooding risks, capture carbon, improve wildlife habitat and increase biodiversity. Environment Canada recommends 30% forest cover in any community to sustain biodiversity and enjoy…
Watch the Hutton Marsh Come Alive — The Hutton Marsh near Lombardy is in transformation, and now you can watch it happen! We’ve got exciting drone footage of the construction from winter 2020, and a glimpse of the new and improved marsh from last summer. Check out our new Hutton Marsh Restoration video on RVCA’s YouTube channel @RideauValleyCA — and don’t forget to subscribe! For more information contact DAN at .  If you enjoyed this story, why not read the rest of the Around the Rideau newsletter, or better yet, subscibe and the next edition will be waiting for you in…

ATR — January-February 2021

WCS - R02/2021 January 29, 2021 – Environment Canada is forecasting very cold weather beginning today and continuing into Sunday before returning to normal range on Monday. This includes night-time wind chill temperatures in the range of -20 to -30 degrees Celsius. In areas where there is a lack of ice cover along with turbulent flow, these cold temperatures can trigger the formation of frazil ice which can accumulate quickly on bridge abutments, piers and riverbanks resulting in increased water levels and flooding in low-lying areas. The small rivers and streams with open water, such as the Tay River, are…
TAY VALLEY, Jan. 28, 2021 – A beautiful piece of Tay Valley shoreline will be preserved in perpetuity thanks to a generous land donation to the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation (RVCF).  The 12-acre swath of forest and wetland is part of a thriving ecosystem and home to countless creatures – some of them currently at risk in Ontario.  It is classic grey ratsnake territory, supporting an important species at risk in the Frontenac Arch biosphere. The Eastern wood-pewee, a species of special concern in Ontario, has also been spotted nearby.  The property is mostly mixed hardwood forest, with a small…
January 25, 2021

RVCC Snowpack Metadata

Diane Downey

SNOW-MNR-3310-

Station Metadata [SNOW-MNR-3310]

STATUS: Active, Seasonal

ABOUT THIS DATA:

The biweekly snow depth (cm) and snow water equivalent (mm) for the Manotick, Ontario region (SNOW-MNR-3310). Field monitoring conducted by the RVCA.

DATA TIME-SERIES:

Biweekly, Field Measurement, Snow Depth (SD); centimeters
Biweekly, Field Measurement, Snow Water Equivalent (SWE); millimeters

LOCATION: UTM 18T [X: 444445.2], [Y: 5010783.4]

SUBWATERSHED: Lower Rideau River

PERIOD OF RECORD (RVCA ARCHIVE): Jan/2008 - Present

OWNER/OPERATOR: Rideau Valley Conservation Authority

DATA AVAILABILITY: Biweekly field monitoring from Oct-June

STATISTICS: NA

DATA UNCERTAINTY:

The RVCA cannot guarantee the accuracy of the provided data. Data accuracy can be affected by a number of factors including, but not limited to: Equipment malfunction/maintenance, regional climate conditions and site disturbance. Users of the RVCA's data tools are cautioned to consider the unverified nature of the information before using it for decisions that concern personal or public safety or the conduct of business.

DATA SOURCES:

MNRF Snow Collection Protocol

CONTACT:

For for more information, please contact:

January 25, 2021

Pierces Corners Snowpack Metadata

Diane Downey

SNOW-MNR-3306-

Station Metadata [SNOW-MNR-3306]

STATUS: Active, Seasonal

ABOUT THIS DATA:

The biweekly snow depth (cm) and snow water equivalent (mm) for the Pierces Corners region (SNOW-MNR-3306). Field monitoring conducted by the RVCA. Statistics have been generated by the RVCA from the period between 1977-2019 (42 years). These statistics include the biweekly median (50th percentile), interquartile range (data range between the daily 25th and 75th percentiles) and the maximum snow water volume measured over the period of record. The median and interquartile range represent the typical normal snow water volume observed at this time of year over the historic record.

DATA TIME-SERIES:

Biweekly, Field Measurement, Snow Depth (SD); centimeters
Biweekly, Field Measurement, Snow Water Equivalent (SWE); millimeters
Biweekly, Lower Quartile (25th Percentile; Historic Normal Water Equivalent); millimeters
Biweekly, Median (50th Percentile; Historic Normal Water Equivalent); millimeters
Biweekly, Upper Quartile (75th Percentile; Historic Normal Water Equivalent); millimeters

LOCATION: UTM 18T [X: 444984.3], [Y: 4988113.9]

SUBWATERSHED: Lower Rideau River

PERIOD OF RECORD (RVCA ARCHIVE): Jan/1977 - Present

OWNER/OPERATOR: Rideau Valley Conservation Authority

DATA AVAILABILITY: Biweekly field monitoring from Oct-June

STATISTICS: RVCA statistics calculated from the 1977-2019 period of record.

a) Upper Quartile (Historic Normal)
Statistics Interval - 1 Year, Recurring
Extraction Interval - Biweekly (15 Days); No Aggregation
Statistics Type: 75th Percentile
Update Frequency: Biweekly

b) Lower Quartile (Historic Normal)
Statistics Interval - 1 Year, Recurring
Extraction Interval - Biweekly (15 Days); No Aggregation
Statistics Type: 25th Percentile
Update Frequency: Biweekly

c) Median (Historic Normal)
Statistics Interval - 1 Year, Recurring
Extraction Interval - Biweekly (15 Days); No Aggregation
Statistics Type: 50th Percentile
Update Frequency: Biweekly

DATA UNCERTAINTY:

The RVCA cannot guarantee the accuracy of the provided data. Data accuracy can be affected by a number of factors including, but not limited to: Equipment malfunction/maintenance, regional climate conditions and site disturbance. Users of the RVCA's data tools are cautioned to consider the unverified nature of the information before using it for decisions that concern personal or public safety or the conduct of business.

DATA SOURCES:

MNRF Snow Collection Protocol

CONTACT:

For for more information, please contact:

January 25, 2021

Nolans Corners Snowpack Metadata

Diane Downey

SNOW-MNR-3304-

Station Metadata [SNOW-MNR-3304]

STATUS: Active, Seasonal

ABOUT THIS DATA:

The biweekly snow depth (cm) and snow water equivalent (mm) for the Nolans Corners region (SNOW-MNR-3304). Field monitoring conducted by the RVCA. Statistics have been generated by the RVCA from the period between 1977-2019 (42 years). These statistics include the biweekly median (50th percentile), interquartile range (data range between the daily 25th and 75th percentiles) and the maximum snow water volume measured over the period of record. The median and interquartile range represent the typical normal snow water volume observed at this time of year over the historic record.

DATA TIME-SERIES:

Biweekly, Field Measurement, Snow Depth (SD); centimeters
Biweekly, Field Measurement, Snow Water Equivalent (SWE); millimeters
Biweekly, Lower Quartile (25th Percentile; Historic Normal Water Equivalent); millimeters
Biweekly, Median (50th Percentile; Historic Normal Water Equivalent); millimeters
Biweekly, Upper Quartile (75th Percentile; Historic Normal Water Equivalent); millimeters

LOCATION: UTM 18T [X: 424389.2], [Y: 4975304.8]

SUBWATERSHED: Middle Rideau River

PERIOD OF RECORD (RVCA ARCHIVE): Jan/1977 - Present

OWNER/OPERATOR: Rideau Valley Conservation Authority

DATA AVAILABILITY: Biweekly field monitoring from Oct-June

STATISTICS: RVCA statistics calculated from the 1977-2019 period of record.

a) Upper Quartile (Historic Normal)
Statistics Interval - 1 Year, Recurring
Extraction Interval - Biweekly (15 Days); No Aggregation
Statistics Type: 75th Percentile
Update Frequency: Biweekly

b) Lower Quartile (Historic Normal)
Statistics Interval - 1 Year, Recurring
Extraction Interval - Biweekly (15 Days); No Aggregation
Statistics Type: 25th Percentile
Update Frequency: Biweekly

c) Median (Historic Normal)
Statistics Interval - 1 Year, Recurring
Extraction Interval - Biweekly (15 Days); No Aggregation
Statistics Type: 50th Percentile
Update Frequency: Biweekly

DATA UNCERTAINTY:

The RVCA cannot guarantee the accuracy of the provided data. Data accuracy can be affected by a number of factors including, but not limited to: Equipment malfunction/maintenance, regional climate conditions and site disturbance. Users of the RVCA's data tools are cautioned to consider the unverified nature of the information before using it for decisions that concern personal or public safety or the conduct of business.

DATA SOURCES:

MNRF Snow Collection Protocol

CONTACT:

For for more information, please contact:

Page 20 of 82

Contact Us

Address:
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
3889 Rideau Valley Drive
Manotick, Ontario K4M 1A5

Phone:
613-692-3571, 1-800-267-3504

Email:

Hours:

Regular Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Member of: conservation ontario