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Main Office Phone Numbers : 613-692-3571 / 1-800-267-3504
Staff Directory
NEW Summer Forest School Drop In Days at Baxter!
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Baxter will be offering Summer Forest School Drop In Days in August 2024 with a summer camp twist! For any families wondering what Forest School is all about, this is your chance to try it out for a day without signing up for an entire session. Since it’s the summer, we’re going to include some summer camp activities throughout the day as well. Come join us for a day in the Forest!
Please submit your request for Forest School Drop-In Days using our Registration Request Form. We are looking forward to welcoming your child(ren) to Baxter Forest School for summer days of exploration, outdoor learning, fun and play.
PLEASE NOTE that filling out this form does not necessarily guarantee a space in the program but begins the registration process. We will send registration packages out on a first-come, first-served basis, including the program handbook and other necessary documents, to complete registration and payment.
Drop In Program Details:
- We are excited to offer programming for the following age groups: 4-6 and 6-10.
- Children are eligible for a session if they meet the minimum age requirement by December 31, 2024. The minimum age requirement is 4 years old for the half day program and 6 years old for the full day program.
- Cost per child is $55/full day or $30/half day plus HST.
- You can register for any number of sessions for your age group.
- Our summer drop-in days will be run out of Baxter’s River Cabin at our group campsite – where Forest School is normally run throughout the school year.
- There will not be swimming at our Summer Forest School Drop-In Days, although water games and alternative ways to cool off will be included in the program, especially during hot weather.
- There are no before or after care options for Summer Forest School Drop-In Days.
- We will consider offering additional program days if there is demand!
Drop-In Days:
Salamanders (4-6 years old)
Half Day: 9 AM – Noon
$30 plus HST
- August 7
- August 23
- August 28
Frogs (6-10 years old)
Full Day: 9 AM – 3 PM
$55 plus HST
- August 8
- August 9
- August 14
- August 26
- August 27
Free workshop aims to stop spread of invasive species
NEW Summer Programs at Foley Mountain!
New this summer, Foley Mountain Conservation Area will offer an exciting suite of family and children's programming throughout July and August, including summer Forest School sessions for several age groups. Join our qualified and experienced outdoor educators for some summer fun in the forest! Registration is required and will close the Wednesday prior to the program date. Fees vary by program. All program fees are subject to applicable taxes.
Family Programs:
Join us the first Saturday of the month and two Fridays per month throughout the summer for our exciting family programs! All children must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required by the Wednesday prior to the event.
Submit a Family Program registration request form to get started. Upon completion of the form, we will send you a registration package, including payment instructions. Please note that filling out this form this does not necessarily guarantee a space in the program but begins the registration process.
| Date | Program | Age | Time | Costs |
| Saturday, July 6 | Weekend Wanders - Outdoor Survival Skills |
All Ages | 10 - 11:30 a.m. | $27/family |
| Friday, July 19 | Forest Fridays - Beaver Pond Bonanza |
All Ages | 10 - 11:30 a.m. | $27/family |
| Friday, August 2 | Forest Fridays - Outdoor Survival Skills |
All Ages | 10 - 11:30 a.m. | $27/family |
| Saturday, August 3 | Weekend Wanders - Beaver Pond Bonanza |
All Ages | 10 - 11:30 a.m. | $27/family |
| Friday, August 9 | Forest Fridays - A Bug's Life |
All Ages | 10 - 11:30 a.m. | $27/family |
| Friday, August 23 | Forest Fridays - GPS and Geocaching |
All Ages | 10 - 11:30 a.m. | $27/family |
Summer Forest School Programs:
If you've always wanted to try Forest School, this is your chance! We are offering one-day registrations for our bi-weekly Forest School programs, which are organized by age. You can register for all four sessions for your age group, or one at a time.
Submit a Forest School registration request form to get started. Upon completion of the form, we will send you a registration package, including payment instructions. Please note that filling out this form this does not necessarily guarantee a space in the program but begins the registration process.
| Date | Program | Age | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tuesdays |
Family Forest School |
2 to 5, with guardians |
9:30 - 11:30 a.m. |
$18/child |
| Wednesdays (July 17, July 31, Aug 7, Aug 21) |
Forest Kindergarten | 4 to 5 | 9 a.m. - noon | $30/child |
| Thursdays (July 18, Aug 1, Aug 8, Aug 22) |
School Age Forest School | 6 to 12 |
Full day: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. |
Full day: $55/child |
| Our Community Partner | ||
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Conservation Authorities seek public input on updated development policies and wetland mapping in Eastern Ontario
The RVCA holds public consultation periods for numerous watershed projects. Any active public consultation periods will be posted below.
More...
Consultation Paused on Updated Wetland Mapping
Please be advised that the RVCA, SNC and RRCA are pausing consultation on updated wetland mapping. We appreciate the feedback and comments we have received to-date and support direction we received from the Ministry of Natural Resources giving us time to work on a local approach.
Over the coming months, the conservation authorities will work with ministry staff, municipalities and stakeholders to develop this local approach. Please note that this means that open houses and one-on-one meetings with property owners will be paused and rescheduled at a later date.
- CANCELLED – Open House on June 26 (RVCA Administrative Office, Manotick)
- CANCELLED – Open House on June 27 (SNC Administrative Office, Finch)
If you have any questions, please contact RVCA staff at 613-692-3571 or 1-800-267-3504 or by email at .
Background:
On April 1, 2024, the Government of Ontario replaced individual Conservation Authority Regulations under Section 28 of the Conservation Authorities Act, with Ontario Regulation 41/24: Prohibited Activities, Exemptions and Permits. The goal of this legislative change was to streamline approvals and establish a standardized approach to the regulation of natural hazards, wetlands, watercourses and shorelines across Ontario.
The RVCA has updated its development policies to comply with the new regulation and be more user-friendly by:
- Improving transparency of the permit process.
- Consolidating all applicable policies into one document.
- Maintaining a consistent standard for review and thresholds for approvals.
- Enhancing the functionality of the document as a reference tool and technical guide.
- Increasing responsiveness of the document by annual updating to address emerging trends, legislative changes, and innovations in natural hazard protection.
The RVCA’s Draft Development Activity Policies and Procedures: Policies and Procedures for Development Activity permit applications made under Section 28.1 of the Conservation Authorities Act is now available for public consultation.
Summary of Changes
Summary of changes:
Below is a summary table highlighting where new policies have been added, existing policies have been modified, and where policies have been removed. This list is not exhaustive but captures substantive changes.
|
Topic |
Existing Policies |
New Policies |
Effect |
|
Watercourse Setbacks |
Requires 30 metres from any watercourse |
Removed |
Policies are focused on natural hazard mandate. |
|
Pollution and Conservation of Land |
Required pollution and/or conservation of land to be considered as part of permit review. |
Removed |
Pollution and conservation of land were removed from the Act. |
|
Ecological Function |
Was a policy consideration. |
Removed |
Policies are focused on natural hazard mandate. |
|
Additions to Existing Dwellings |
Allows 20% up to 20m2, or 50% up to 50m2 subject to site and design criteria. |
Allows 20m2 or 50m2 based on safe access availability. |
Simplifies standard, slightly more permissive, particularly for existing small dwellings. |
|
Roofline Overhangs |
Allows 10% overhang, typically only allowed for eavestroughs and doorway awnings. |
Allows up to cumulative total of 20m2. |
Will allow for small unenclosed covered decks or carports. |
|
Safe Access |
Allows maximum 0.3 m depth. |
Allows safe access based on depth and velocity. |
More permissive. Expected to provide more flexibility within the upper watershed. |
|
Areas of Reduced Flood Risk |
Allowed for increased development within specific built-up areas within the City of Ottawa where flood protection works were present |
Changed name to Area Specific Flooding Hazard Policies and consolidated with other sections. Removed Kingsview Park as applicable area in line with City of Ottawa changes. |
Policies ultimately are more aligned with direction related to natural hazards. Removed language contingent on municipal planning. |
|
Placement of Fill |
Allowed for minor placement of fill and balanced cut and fill |
Limits minor placement of fill to 15 m3. Refines balanced cut and fill policies by establishing technical guidelines. Expands fill placement to support private sewage systems and floodproofing |
Policies generally more permissive, however, improves clarity related to current implementation. |
|
Meander Belts |
No previous policies |
New Erosion Hazard Policies for Meander Belts for Unconfined Valley Systems. |
Modernizes policies to include natural hazard type included in Act |
|
Dynamic Beaches |
No previous policies |
Added policies that will properly apply based on the type of regulated hazards for Petrie Island. |
Modernizes policies to include natural hazard type included in Act |
|
Shoreline Protection |
Policies were specific to riverfront shorelines |
Policies expanded to clarify current implementation, specifically related to beaches, hardscaping. Language expanded to include lake shorelines. |
Policies generally the same with how permits have been conducted |
|
Sensitive Marine Clay |
No previous policies |
Added policies to require hazard to be assessed. |
Policies generally promote protecting hazard, will be subject to technical guidance under development. |
|
Bedrock Hazards |
No previous polices |
Added policies related to bedrock hazards, specifically karst formations |
Modernizes policies to include natural hazard type included in Act |
|
Watercourse interference |
Was based primarily Hydrotechnical analysis |
Policies expanded to include agricultural enclosures, and design requirements for crossings, channelization, realignment, dredging |
Slightly more permissive, and provides additional clarity on activity specific requirements |
|
Boat Houses, Boat Ports and Docks |
Not permitted on river systems |
Allows boat houses with restrictions to limit potential risks. |
More permissive, aligns with municipal and federal partners. |
|
Swimming Pools |
All pools directed 30 meters back from watercourses Limited location in floodplains |
Above ground pools shall be restricted from floodplains and erosion hazards. In-ground pools allowed subject to appropriate design. Setbacks removed. |
Policies generally more permissive and focuses on natural hazard. |
|
Wetlands |
Only Provincially Significant Wetlands (PSWs) and those in municipal Official Plans / zoning regulated Allowed development between 30 and 120 metres Further limited within 30 meters. |
Public Consultation
We encourage everyone to review RVCA’s updated development policies during the consultation period ending July 10. We also invite you to connect with RVCA staff to learn more about the policies and what it may mean for you and your property. You can do so by:
- Viewing draft policies
