WESTPORT, June 24, 2024 – Catching frogs, roaming the woods and exploring the outdoors are what summer is all about, and Foley Mountain has added a new suite of summer programs to help make it happen. 

Family programs such as pond study, bug exploration, survival skills and geocaching will be offered the first Saturday of the month and on four Fridays throughout the summer. Every second week beginning July 16, forest school sessions will be offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. 

Unlike school-year forest school programs, all of these programs can be booked one at a time, so residents and cottagers can pick and choose which dates work for them. 

“It’s a chance to try out our programs in a fun and low-pressure way,” said site supervisor and outdoor education co-ordinator Rebecca Whitman. “We hope these programs will help local families get outside and reconnect with nature after a long school year.”

The summer programming schedule kicks off Saturday, July 6 with an Outdoor Survival Skills program for the whole family from 10 to 11:30 a.m. August’s weekend program will feature a beaver pond bonanza on Saturday, Aug. 3.

Forest Fridays will offer similar family programming on July 19, August 2, August 9 and Aug 23. For younger families looking for even more time together on the mountain, Family Forest School will run bi-weekly on Tuesdays beginning July 16, targeting kids ages 2 to 5 and their caregivers.

For kids ready for parent-free programming, half-day Forest Kindergarten will welcome kids ages 4 and 5 for a morning of fun every second Wednesday beginning July 17. Kids ages 6 to 12 can come from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every second Thursday.

Registration is required and will close the Wednesday prior to the program date. Programs may be cancelled if there is not enough interest. Fees vary depending on the program. For full details and to register, visit www.rvca.ca/outdoor-education and follow the links to the Foley Mountain programs, or contact Rebecca Whitman at . 

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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.

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. 

EASTERN ONTARIO, June 7, 2024 – South Nation Conservation (SNC), Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) and the Raisin Region Conservation Authority (RRCA) are welcoming public input on updated development policies and wetland mapping used in Conservation Authority permitting.

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. This update requires Conservation Authorities to regulate development activities within 30 metres of all wetlands, as defined by the new regulation. 

Conservation Authority staff have completed draft updates to policies, procedures and mapping in response to these provincial changes. Watershed residents are invited to schedule individual meetings (in-person or virtual) or attend an upcoming public open house to learn more about proposed development policy updates and wetland mapping. 

Wetlands provide significant ecosystem services and benefits including flood attenuation,  
erosion protection, groundwater recharge, filtration of drinking water supplies, wildlife refuge,  
and forest cover, as well as recreational, educational, and research opportunities. Wetlands are 
also usually associated with unstable, organic soils and not always suited to development.

The Conservation Authority partners have regulated development activities within Provincially Significant Wetlands and certain Locally Significant Wetlands since 2006. With the new provincial regulation, most wetlands will now be regulated, however, the buffer around them where a development permit is required has been reduced from 120 metres to 30 metres.

“We recognize the important role of wetlands for the environment and our communities,” said SNC Managing Director, John Mesman. “We will work closely with property owners looking to develop their properties to help confirm wetland boundaries to ensure that future development is sustainable and protects the integrity of wetland habitat.”  

“Many of the wetlands in our region connect to major waterways and are found within our Natural Heritage Systems,” said RRCA General Manager Alison McDonald. “These areas provide important natural cover, wildlife habitat, and mitigate the impacts of climate change, including flooding and drought.” 

“Having updated policies and wetland mapping that reflects the new legislation will also streamline approvals and standardize approaches,” said RVCA General Manager Sommer Casgrain-Robertson. “Policies and mapping are used by staff, municipalities, and property owners to ensure that development is undertaken in a way that protects people and their property from natural hazards while also protecting wetlands and watercourses.

Policy information, draft maps and meeting request links are available online:

• SNC: nation.on.ca/consultations
• RVCA: rvca.ca/regulations-planning
• RRCA: rrca.on.ca/permits 

Conservation Authorities work on behalf of their member municipalities to help manage, conserve and restore natural resources and guide sustainable development activities through permitting. 

Through acquiring ecologically significant property, managing conservation lands, permitting sustainable development, and providing technical advice and cost-share funding for habitat improvement projects, there are a variety of ways to help improve wetlands and biodiversity within the region. Residents interested in learning more about land donations and project funding are encouraged to contact their local Conservation Authority. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

South Nation Conservation
Erin Thorne, Communications Specialist, 
1-877-984-2948 | .

Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
Diane Downey, Director, Communications and Outreach, 
1-800-257-3504, ext.1126 | . 

Raisin Region Conservation Authority
Lisa Van De Ligt, Team Lead, Communications and Stewardship, 
613-938-3611 ext. 223 | . 

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Les offices de protection de la nature sollicitent l'avis du public sur la mise à jour des politiques de développement et de la cartographie des zones humides dans l'Est de l'Ontario 

EST DE L'ONTARIO, le 7 juin 2024 : La Conservation de la Nation Sud (CNS), l'Office de protection de la nature de la vallée Rideau (RVCA) et l'Office de protection de la nature de la région Raisin (RRCA) accueillent les commentaires du public sur la mise à jour des politiques de développement et de la cartographie des zones humides dans l'Est de l'Ontario. Les politiques de développement et la cartographie des zones humides sont utilisées dans les permis délivrés par les offices de protection de la nature.

Le 1er avril 2024, le gouvernement de l'Ontario a remplacé les différents règlements des offices de protection de la nature en vertu de l'article 28 de la Loi sur les offices de protection de la nature par le Règlement de l'Ontario 41/24 : Activités interdites, exemptions et permis. Cette mise à jour exige que les offices de protection de la nature réglementent les activités d'aménagement dans un rayon de 30 mètres de toutes les terres humides, tel que défini par le nouveau règlement.

Le personnel de l'Office de protection de la nature a terminé l'ébauche de mises à jour des politiques, des procédures et de la cartographie en réponse à ces changements provinciaux. Les résidents du bassin versant sont invités à planifier des réunions individuelles (en personne ou virtuellement) ou à assister à une prochaine journée portes ouvertes pour en savoir plus sur les mises à jour proposées des politiques de développement et de la cartographie des zones humides.

Les zones humides fournissent d'importants services et avantages écosystémiques, notamment l'atténuation des inondations, la protection contre l'érosion, la recharge des eaux souterraines, la filtration des réserves d'eau potable, les refuges fauniques, et le couvert forestier, ainsi que des opportunités de loisirs, d'éducation et de recherche. Les zones humides sont également généralement associées à des sols organiques instables et pas toujours adaptés au développement.

Les partenaires de l'Office de protection de la nature réglementent les activités de développement dans les zones humides d'importance provinciale et dans certaines zones humides d'importance locale depuis 2006. Avec la nouvelle réglementation provinciale, la plupart des zones humides seront désormais réglementées, cependant, la zone tampon autour d'elles où un permis d'aménagement est requis a été réduite de 120 mètres à 30 mètres.

« Nous reconnaissons le rôle important des zones humides pour l'environnement et nos communautés », a déclaré John Mesman, directeur, Terres protégées, de la CNS. « Nous travaillerons en étroite collaboration avec les propriétaires fonciers qui cherchent à développer leurs propriétés pour aider à confirmer les limites des zones humides afin de garantir que le développement futur soit durable et protège l'intégrité. d’habitats de zones humides.

« De nombreuses zones humides de notre région sont reliées aux principaux cours d'eau et se trouvent au sein de nos systèmes de patrimoine naturel », a déclaré la directrice générale de la RRCA, Alison McDonald. « Ces zones fournissent une couverture naturelle importante, un habitat faunique et atténuent les impacts du changement climatique, notamment les inondations et la sécheresse. »

« La mise à jour des politiques et de la cartographie des zones humides qui reflètent la nouvelle législation rationalisera également les approbations et normalisera les approches », a déclaré Sommer Casgrain-Robertson, directrice générale de RVCA. « Les politiques et la cartographie sont utilisées par le personnel, les municipalités et les propriétaires fonciers pour garantir que le développement est entrepris de manière à protéger les personnes et leurs propriétés contre les risques naturels, tout en protégeant les zones humides et les cours d'eau.

Des informations politiques, des projets de cartes et des liens de demande de réunion sont disponibles en ligne :

• CNS : nation.on.ca/fr/développement/consultations-publiques
• RVCA : rvca.ca/regulations-planning
• RRCA : rrca.on.ca/permits

Les offices de protection de la nature travaillent au nom de leurs municipalités membres pour aider à gérer, conserver et restaurer les ressources naturelles et guider les activités de développement durable au moyen de permis.

En acquérant des propriétés d'importance écologique, en gérant des terres protégées, en permettant le développement durable et en fournissant des conseils techniques et un financement à frais partagés pour des projets d'amélioration de l'habitat, il existe diverses façons d'aider à améliorer les zones humides et la biodiversité dans la région. Les résidents souhaitant en savoir plus sur les dons de terres et le financement de projets sont encouragés à contacter leur office de protection de la nature local.

POUR PLUS D'INFORMATIONS :

Conservation de la Nation Sud 
Erin Thorne, spécialiste des communications
1-877-984-2948 |  

Office de protection de la nature de la vallée Rideau 
Diane Downey, directrice des communications et de la sensibilisation
1-800-257-3504, poste 200. 1126 |  

Office de protection de la nature de la région Raisin
Lisa Van De Ligt, chef d'équipe, Communications et intendance
613-938-3611 ext. 223 |  

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RIDEAU VALLEY, June 3, 2024 – In many ways, 2023 was the Year of the Bridge for the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority.

In its recently released annual report, it’s clear that 2023 was an extremely busy and productive year for all departments as they built bridges both real and figurative across the watershed.

In the most literal sense, staff completed the construction of two much-needed accessible pedestrian bridges at Baxter Conservation Area and Chapman Mills Conservation Areas, which will benefit the community for decades to come. 

But staff also spent time connecting with valued partners, expanding their knowledge of the watershed and ensuring the RVCA’s services remain relevant, valuable and accessible to everyone who calls the Rideau Valley home. 

Throughout 2023, RVCA staff: 

• Welcomed more than 8,100 students to outdoor education programs at Baxter and Foley Mountain conservation areas;
• Planted 214,030 trees in partnership with private landowners, with $484,000 in external grant support;
• Funded 211 clean water projects on rural and farm properties, providing $642,935 in landowner grants; 
• Naturalized 1,719 metres of shoreline with more than 9,300 native plants, including more than 1,000 planted at Last Duel Park in Perth;
• Sampled 39 lakes and 119 stream sites for surface water quality;
• Surveyed 361 stream sections to assess aquatic habitat conditions;
• Completed a once-in-a-decade Watershed Conditions Report to bridge the gap between data collection and scientific analysis;
• Began data collection for new flood mapping on several upper watershed lakes and initiated the development of a new hydrologic model of the watershed;
• Accepted 199 hectares of conservation land donations from local landowners; 
• Processed 319 Section 28 permit applications (with 98% approved or on hold), issuing decisions for all but 2 within provincial timelines;
• Reviewed 1,952 planning applications, providing natural hazard comments to municipalities;
• Processed 944 septic permit applications (usually within half the provincial timeline) and re-inspected 651 septic systems around lakes. 

“I am so proud of our staff as they continue to provide quality conservation services to our watershed municipalities, residents and partners,” said RVCA General Manager Sommer Casgrain-Robertson. “We are committed to bringing value and expertise to all of our partners, and 2023 was a great example of that.”

To read the full report online visitwww.rvca.ca or contact the front desk at 613-692-3571 to request a hard copy. 

RVCA is one of Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities responsible for furthering the conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources in the watershed. Through the provincial Conservation Authorities Act, the RVCA is responsible for protecting people and property from natural hazards like flooding and erosion and managing natural resources within the Rideau Valley.

Learn more at www.rvca.ca. 

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RIDEAU VALLEY, May 28, 2024 – With this year’s spring planting behind us, now’s the time to secure your spot for the 2025 season. Whether you want to plant trees on your idle or marginal land or plant shrubs to naturalize your shoreline, RVCA is now booking site visits to get the process started.

The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) offers generous grants to help landowners protect and enhance the watershed’s natural resources: tree planting is subsidized to between $0.15 and $0.40 per tree, while shoreline naturalization costs may be covered up to 90%.

Tree planting and shoreline naturalization projects support a thriving watershed by slowing down and filtering stormwater runoff, reducing erosion, mitigating floods and storing carbon to reduce the impacts of climate change. And there are benefits for the landowners, too: depending on the project, they may see reduced property maintenance, increased privacy, lower heating and cooling costs, fewer nuisance geese and increased property value. 

“It’s really a win-win for everyone,” said RVCA Forestry Manager Ian Cochrane. “These projects become a legacy that landowners can gift to the next generation in the form of a clean environment, thriving biodiversity and a beautiful natural place to visit.”

The RVCA plants more than 200,000 native trees across the Mississippi and Rideau Valley watersheds every year, and approximately 10,000 native shoreline trees, shrubs and flowers around Rideau Valley lakes and rivers. 

Site visits ensure eligibility and will allow staff to craft a custom planting plan to suit your needs. Once your project is booked, staff will order the plants and work towards the 2025 spring planting season. Staff will also return for several years to ensure the survival of your project and refill where necessary.

To book a tree planting site visit contact Ian Cochrane at . To book a shoreline naturalization site visit contact Meaghan McDonald at . 

Tree Planting Eligibility: 

Our large-scale tree planting program is available to all landowners in the Rideau Valley and Mississippi Valley watersheds, provided they meet minimum planting requirements. Outside the City of Ottawa, landowners must have at least 1.25 acres of suitable land and must order at least 1,000 trees. Within the City of Ottawa’s portion of the MVCA and RVCA watersheds, tree planting minimums have been lowered to 500 trees for 2025. This means Ottawa properties with 0.62 acres (0.25 hectares) of suitable land or more may now be eligible to participate. 

Shoreline Naturalization Eligibility: 

All lake- and river-front landowners within the Rideau Valley watershed are eligible for subsidized shoreline naturalization along the “ribbon of life” where land meets water. Staff work with landowners to create a custom plan that preserves their water access and views while adding a natural buffer along the shore. Landowners can choose to do the planting themselves or have RVCA staff assist. 

Learn more about our stewardship programs at www.rvca.ca/stewardship-grants. 

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