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
Displaying items by tag: cleanwater
How to apply for Rural Clean Water Grants
Thank you for your interest in protecting the land and water we all rely on! We look forward to working with you.
Please note: Funding is limited and provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Projects completed prior to contacting RVCA will not be eligible for funding.
Eligibility and approval:
Eligible Landowners:
- Farmers who have completed a 3rd edition or newer Environmental Farm Plan (EFP)
- Rural non-farmers who have completed a Healthy Home Guide may be eligible for funding (the Healthy Home Guide will be provided during site visits)
Applicants must:
- Apply prior to starting work on your project
- Obtain all necessary permits, approvals, and meet all legal requirements
- Complete a 3rd or 4th Edition Environmental Farm Plan (farm projects), or Healthy Home Guidebook (non-farm projects).
What is generally eligible for funding?
- Permit / approval costs
- Purchased materials and supplies
- Contract labour and professional fees
BEFORE you start your project, please contact the RVCA at 613-692-3571 ext. 1136 to register your information, confirm eligibility and apply.
Submitting your application:
Download your application form here. Please note you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to e-sign your form.
Submit completed application with all estimates, quotes and necessary permits to:
Rural Clean Water Program
Box 599, 3889 Rideau Valley Dr.
Manotick, ON K4M 1A5
Or email your application package to
Approval process:
- A site representative will visit your property
- Project is assessed by our Review Committee
- Project grant proceeds if approved
- Payment issued upon completion of work, inspection by site representative and submission of all permits, approvals and proof of payment
More questions? Click here to view our FAQs (frequently asked questions).
ALUS Lanark
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority are partnering to deliver the ALUS Lanark program, an agricultural stewardship program aimed at creating, restoring, enhancing, managing, and maintaining ecosystem services on agricultural land. Delivered within the boundary of Lanark County, ALUS Lanark is made possible with the financial support of ALUS Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada.
ALUS Lanark is a community-based and farmer-delivered program that provides technical and financial support to farmers, as well as annual payments to ensure the ongoing stewardship of ecosystem services on their land.
Projects supported will depend on available funding each year. Projects should be on marginal, ecologically sensitive, or inaccessible land, and may include:
- Wetland creation, enhancement, or restoration
- Reforestation, windbreaks, shelterbelts, and buffers
- Grassland restoration
- Pollinator habitat and wildlife food plots
- Delayed cut and delayed grazing
- Erosion control and livestock exclusion
- Habitat structures
- Other ecologically beneficial projects
To be eligible:
- Projects must be within Lanark County.
- Landowners must have a valid Farm Business Registration Number.
- Projects will not replace existing habitat with a new habitat type.
- Projects will not remove more than 20% of land from a farming operation.
If you have any questions, contact the Rural Clean Water Program at 613-692-3571 ext. 1136 or via email at .
Ready to apply? Click here for instructions or download your application form here. Please note you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to e-sign your form.
About Rural Clean Water Grants
Rural Clean Water Grants for farmers and rural landowners
Rural Clean Water Grants help to improve water quality in our local rivers, streams and creeks by reducing pollution and the volume of water running off the land. Teaming up with farmers and rural residents, we provide financial support and technical assistance for on-the-ground projects that improve and protect water quality.
Rural Clean Water Grants up to $15,000 per project are available through three programs, based on location and project type:
- Ottawa Rural Clean Water Program for properties within the City of Ottawa (Rideau Valley, Mississippi and South Nation watersheds)
- Rideau Valley Rural Clean Water Program for properties outside the City of Ottawa, but in the remainder of the Rideau Valley
- ALUS Lanark for agricultural properties in Lanark County (RVCA and MVCA watersheds)
Eligible Projects:
Eligible projects for farmers include, but are not limited to:
- livestock fencing
- chemical and fuel storage
- manure storage and treatment
- nutrient management and precision farming
- controlled tile drainage
- cover crops
- annual payments for ecosystem services
- wastewater treatment
- wetland creation or enhancement
- windbreakers, buffers, and grasslands
Eligible projects for all rural residents include, but are not limited to:
- erosion control
- buffers
- well replacements, upgrades or decommissioning
- septic repair
- forest and wetland management plans
Grants:
Grant amounts and eligibility may vary by grant program, available funding and project type. Always contact us before starting your project, as we cannot offer grants for completed projects.
Deadline for grant applications is May 1 of each year, but depending on funding we may approve project proposals received after this date.
Ready to apply? Click here for instructions or download your application form here. Please note you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to e-sign your form.