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RVCA works with many volunteers throughout the year to help restore and enhance our watershed. We offer a range of volunteer opportunities that require varying experience levels and time commitments. There may be an interesting and rewarding volunteer opportunity at RVCA that's right for you!
Check our Events Calendar (below) to see special, upcoming events for volunteers/participants or learn more about specific volunteer opportunities listed in the Get Involved! Volunteer menu (on right).
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Yearly View
Ottawa Flyfishers Society – International Fly Fishing Film Festival 2019
Date: | Tuesday 09 April 2019 - |
Location: | Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Drive |
Time: | 06:30am - |
Contact: | City Stream Watch |
Time: 6:30PM doors open
Tickets: $20 ($10 for under 16 years of age) – Purchase online (http://ottawaflyfishers.com/?q=node/193)
The Ottawa Flyfishers Society is hosting their annual International Flyfishing Film Festival. The festival will showcase films with incredible fishing footage from around the world. Ticket sales are online, please visit the Ottawa Flyfishers Society website for more information. Watch the festival trailer at: https://vimeo.com/307334561.
City of Ottawa - Wildlife Speaker Series on Pollinators: Secret Superheroes
Date: | Friday 26 April 2019 - |
Location: | Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Drive |
Time: | 06:00pm - 08:30pm |
Contact: | City Stream Watch |
The City of Ottawa’s wildlife speaker series event will be on native pollinators. The speakers present will be Dr. Jessica Forrest, University of Ottawa, and Dr. Jeff Skevington, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Rideau Valley Conservation Authority staff will also be there to attend and provide information on what we are doing to help native pollinators. Admission is free and will be on a first come, first serve basis. For more information visit the City of Ottawa website: https://ottawa.ca/en/residents/water-and-environment/plants-and-animals/wildlife-speaker-series#pollinators-secret-superheroes-april-26-2019.
City Stream Watch — Glad Clean up the Capital Event – Pinecrest Creek
Date: | Saturday 27 April 2019 - |
Location: | Connaught Park – baseball diamond (Located at Connaught Avenue) |
Time: | 09:00am - 12:00pm |
Contact: | City Stream Watch |
Location: Connaught Park – baseball diamond (Located at Connaught Avenue)
(https://goo.gl/maps/NsUYrsz8QEC2)
Time: 9:00AM – 12:00PM (3 HRS)
In suggestion of the Queensway Terrace Community Association, we will be conducting a cleanup in Pinecrest Creek within the Connaught Park area along the National Capital Commission’s Pinecrest Creek Pathway. Participants will help to clean up garbage from the stream and shorelines surrounding Pinecrest Creek. There are several areas in the region that tend to accumulate garbage, and we will divide the group out across these locations. We will meet in the baseball diamond for 9:00AM.
Parking: There is street side parking along Connaught Avenue and Hanlon Avenue
Meeting location: From Hanlon Avenue there is a walkway into the park (https://goo.gl/maps/WHHDsJVeA3s) as well as from Connaught Avenue near Severn Avenue there is another walkway into the park (https://goo.gl/maps/EPx9pirysan)
What to wear: Dress for the weather! Wear waterproof boots, long socks (if wearing chest waders), long pants and a hat
What to bring: Feel free to bring your own gloves if you have a favorite but we will provide them; please bring your own water bottle
What we will provide: We will have drinking water to replenish empty bottles, some snacks, chest waders, garbage bags and gloves
City Stream Watch — Glad Clean up the Capital Event – Sawmill Creek
Date: | Saturday 04 May 2019 - |
Location: | Towngate Shopping Plaza (Located at Bank St. and Hunt Club Rd. intersection) |
Time: | 09:00am - 12:00pm |
Contact: | City Stream Watch |
Location: Towngate Shopping Plaza (Located at Bank St. and Hunt Club Rd. intersection)
(https://goo.gl/maps/mJg14q4zQ6L2)
Time: 9:00AM – 12:00PM (3 HRS)
In collaboration with the Canadian Forces Fish & Wildlife Ottawa Club, we will be conducting a cleanup in Sawmill Creek along the Towngate Shopping Plaza region. Participants will help to clean up garbage the stream and shorelines surrounding Sawmill Creek. There are several areas in the region that tend to accumulate garbage, and we will divide the group out across these locations. We will meet up in the South (back end) of the Towngate Parking lot for 9:00AM.
Parking: There is parking at the shopping plaza
Meeting location: We will be meeting at the south end of the parking lot behind the Produce Depot
What to wear: Dress for the weather! Wear waterproof boots, long pants and a hat
What to bring: Feel free to bring your own gloves if you have a favorite but we will provide them; please bring your own water bottle
What we will provide: We will have drinking water to replenish empty bottles, some snacks, chest waders, garbage bags and gloves
Shoreline Naturalization Project – Black Rapids Creek
Date: | Saturday 11 May 2019 - |
Location: | Black Rapids Creek Site (near the Woodroffe Ave. and Fallowfield Rd. intersection, north of the train tracks) |
Time: | 09:00am - 12:00pm |
Contact: | City Stream Watch |
Location: Black Rapids Creek Site (near the Woodroffe Ave. and Fallowfield Rd. intersection, north of the train tracks)
(https://goo.gl/maps/SwdVoG36nqS2)
Time: 9:00AM – 12:00PM (3 HRS)
The RVCA Shoreline Naturalization Program will be planting trees and shrubs along the shoreline of Black Rapids Creek. Participants will help to plant trees and shrubs; a planting demonstration will be given beforehand. The site has difficult terrain to work in and is not suitable for young children. We will be meeting at 9:00AM on site along Black Rapids Creek.
Parking: There is no parking on site, but there is a park and ride at the corner of Woodroffe Ave. and Fallowfield Rd (https://goo.gl/maps/Pte8pxKYAn22).
Meeting location: From the park and ride you will walk across Woodroffe Ave. to the Greenbelt Pathway and follow it North until you cross the railway tracks. RVCA staff and RVCA white vehicles will be along the path.
What to wear: Dress for the weather! Wear sturdy shoes (steel toe boots recommended but not required), long pants and a hat
What to bring: Feel free to bring your own gloves and/or shovel if you have a favorite but we will provide both as well; please bring your own water bottle
What we will provide: We will have drinking water to replenish empty bottles, some snacks, shovels and gloves
Spring Orientation/Training Session – Sawmill Creek (Riverside Dr)
Date: | Saturday 25 May 2019 - |
Location: | Rideau River Eastern Pathway – Parkland beside Sawmill Creek/Riverside Dr. |
Time: | 10:00am - 12:00pm |
Contact: | City Stream Watch |
Location: Rideau River Eastern Pathway – Parkland beside Sawmill Creek/Riverside Dr
(https://goo.gl/maps/gt2KqwHh8vJ2)
Time: 10:00AM – 12:00PM (2 HRS)
Our annual stream survey training workshop for new volunteers is being planned for Saturday May 27th. The session will be carried out along the shoreline of Sawmill Creek along Riverside Dr/Rideau River Eastern Pathway. There is no parking on site, but Billings Bridge Shopping Center is near-by. If you have joined us for stream surveys in the past or have come out to a training session in the last few years, there is no need to attend the training session again. Also, if you are unavailable for this session, but you are interested in helping with stream surveys, the workshop is non-mandatory as we always provide “on-the-job” training.
Parking: There is no parking on site but Billing Bridge Shopping Center is near-by (https://goo.gl/maps/jwQkzB7gF6F2)
Meeting location: We will be meeting on the Rideau River Eastern Pathway along the shoreline of Sawmill Creek. From Billings Bridge you will walk North on Bank Street until the Rideau River, turn right onto the Rideau River Eastern Pathway and walk towards Sawmill Creek, RVCA staff will be at that location
What to wear: Dress for the weather! Wear sturdy shoes, socks, long pants and a hat
What to bring: Please bring your own water bottle
What we will provide: We will have drinking water to replenish empty bottles, some snacks, chest waders, and equipment for the purpose of demonstrations
Stream Garbage Clean up – Nepean Creek, in support of of 100 in 1 day Ottawa
Date: | Saturday 01 June 2019 - |
Location: | Nepean Creek Park |
Time: | 09:00am - 12:00pm |
Contact: | City Stream Watch |
Stream Garbage Clean up – Nepean Creek, in support of of 100 in 1 day Ottawa
Date: Saturday – June 1
Time: 9 am to 12 pm
Location: Nepean Creek Park https://goo.gl/maps/uCp1z53zo7fQ9moR8
City Stream Watch will be conducting a cleanup in Nepean Creek within the Nepean Creek Park Pathway as part of the 100 in 1 Day initiative in Ottawa. Participants will help to clean up garbage from the stream and shorelines surrounding Nepean Creek. There are several areas in the region that tend to accumulate garbage, we will be concentrating in the areas upstream of the stormwater ponds to prevent the garbage to deposit further downstream. We will not be going into the stormwater ponds as it is prohibited to enter them. We will meet East of the Stormwater Ponds along the creek, near a pedestrian crossing bridge for 9:00AM.
Parking: There is a parking lot along Colonnade Rd. called Nepean Creek Park, East Parking Lot https://goo.gl/maps/FfuYNYPiqvw1x87N8
Meeting location: Walk along the pathway west and north of the parking lot on Colonnade Rd., until you find the pedestrian bridge, if you are walking from Viewmount Dr, there is a pathway access between the fire station and the Nepean Garden Association.<
What to wear: Dress for the weather! Wear waterproof boots, long socks (if you want to borrow chest waders), long pants and a hat
What to bring: Feel free to bring your own gloves if you have a favorite but we will provide them; please bring your own water bottle
What we will provide: We will have drinking water to replenish empty bottles, some snacks, chest waders (for those who reserve them send me your shoe size with your RSVP), garbage bags and gloves
Stream Garbage Clean up and Himalayan Balsam Removal – Taylor Creek
Date: | Saturday 15 June 2019 - |
Location: | Princess Louise Falls, St. Joseph Blvd. |
Time: | 09:00am - 12:00pm |
Contact: | City Stream Watch |
Date: Saturday – June 15th
Time: 9am - 12pm
Location: Princess Louise Falls, St. Joseph Blvd. (https://goo.gl/maps/kc4G1KCb7n4wbBKh9)
Taylor Creek was one of the streams we monitored last year and we found a lot of garbage and Himalayan balsam along the shores (photo below is our staff, Joey, holding Himalayan balsam). This stream is divided at this reach by St Joseph Blvd, we will be meeting at 9am at the Princess Lousie Falls and we will be splitting up into two steams, one upstream and one downstream of St. Joseph Blvd to collect garbage and remove any balsam spotted along shores.
Parking: There is road side parking on Taylor Creek Drive
Meeting location: Meeting will be upstream of St. Joseph Blvd at the Princess Lousie Falls
What to wear: Dress for the weather! Wear waterproof boots, long socks (if you want to borrow chest waders), long pants and a hat
What to bring: Feel free to bring your own gloves if you have a favorite but we will provide them; please bring your own water bottle
What we will provide: We will have drinking water to replenish empty bottles, some snacks, chest waders (for those who reserve them send me your shoe size with your RSVP), garbage bags and gloves
Beginner Shore Fishing Clinic | Ontario Family Fishing Events
Date: | Saturday 29 June 2019 - |
Location: | Remic Rapids Sir John A Macdonald Parkway Ottawa |
Time: | 05:00pm - 07:00pm |
Contact: | City Stream Watch |
Location: Remic Rapids Sir John A Macdonald Parkway Ottawa, Ontario Come out to Remic Rapids to join City Councillors Jeff Leiper and Catherine McKenney at a fun, family-friendly event for beginner anglers!
www.ontariofamilyfishing.com
Himalayan balsam removal @ Ramsay Creek
Date: | Saturday 13 July 2019 - |
Location: | Ramsay Creek at Ramsayville Road |
Time: | 09:00am - 12:00pm |
Contact: | City Stream Watch |
Parking: There is a parking lot for NCC Trail 51 at the corner of Walkley Extension Road and Ramsayville Road (https://goo.gl/maps/Cg5Y1PjstqyuptWX9)
Meeting location: We will be meeting volunteers at 9am at the NCC Trail 51 parking lot and shuttling you to Ramsay Creek on Ramsayville Road
What to wear: Dress for the weather! Long socks (you will need chest waders for this event), long pants and a hat
What to bring: Feel free to bring your own gloves if you have a favorite but we will provide them; please bring your own water bottle
What we will provide: We will have drinking water to replenish empty bottles, some snacks, chest waders (send me your shoe size with your RSVP) and gloves
If you are interested in participating, please RSVP
Japanese knotweed removal @ Sawmill Creek
Date: | Saturday 20 July 2019 - |
Location: | Towngate Shopping Plaza, located at Bank St. and Hunt Club Rd. intersection |
Time: | 09:00am - 12:00pm |
Contact: | City Stream Watch |
This area is part of our continuing management effort to contain and prevent the spread of Japanese knotweed along the shores of Sawmill Creek. We have been returning to this site to keep these plants under control, but this is a resilient plant that we have been removing in this area.
Parking: There is parking at the shopping plaza
Meeting location: We will be meeting at the south end of the parking lot behind the Produce Depot (https://goo.gl/maps/mJg14q4zQ6L2)
What to wear: Dress for the weather! Wear waterproof boots, long pants and a hat
What to bring: Feel free to bring your own gloves if you have a favorite but we will provide them; please bring your own water bottle
What we will provide: We will have drinking water to replenish empty bottles, some snacks, chest waders, garbage bags and gloves
If you are interested in participating, please RSVP for chest waders
Himalayan balsam removal @ Taylor Creek
Date: | Saturday 27 July 2019 - |
Location: | Across the road from Princess Lousie Falls, St. Joseph Blvd. |
Time: | 09:00am - 12:00pm |
Contact: | City Stream Watch |
Taylor Creek was one of the streams we monitored last year and we found a lot of garbage along the shores. This stream is divided at this reach by St Joseph Blvd, we will be meeting at 9am across the road from the Princess Lousie Falls. This is a continuation effort from our previous removal event, as density of balsam is high in this area.
Parking: There is road side parking on Taylor Creek Drive, please make sure not to block bus stops (https://goo.gl/maps/QfnpDcbXyJC241ND6)
Meeting location: Meeting will be downstream of St. Joseph Blvd across the road from Princess Lousie Falls (https://goo.gl/maps/kc4G1KCb7n4wbBKh9)
What to wear: Dress for the weather! Wear waterproof boots, long socks (if you want to borrow chest waders), long pants and a hat
What to bring: Feel free to bring your own gloves if you have a favorite but we will provide them; please bring your own water bottle
What we will provide: We will have drinking water to replenish empty bottles, some snacks, chest waders (for those who reserve them send me your shoe size with your RSVP), gloves
If you are interested in participating, please RSVP for chest waders
Invasive Species Removal @ Jock River (Richmond Conservation Area)
Date: | Saturday 10 August 2019 - |
Location: | Richmond Conservation Area |
Time: | 09:00am - 12:00pm |
Contact: |
Parking: There is a parking at the conservation area https://goo.gl/maps/teFVPcRxDYkVszyo8
Meeting location: We will be meeting volunteers at 9am at the Richmond Conservation Area
What to wear: Dress for the weather! Long socks (you will need chest waders for this event), long pants and a hat
What to bring: Feel free to bring your own gloves if you have a favorite but we will provide them; please bring your own water bottle
What we will provide: We will have drinking water to replenish empty bottles, some snacks, chest waders (send me your shoe size with your RSVP), gloves and bags
If you are interested in participating, please RSVP with your shoe size.
Invasive Species Identification Workshop @ RVCA main office
Date: | Saturday 17 August 2019 - |
Location: | RVCA Main Office, 3889 Rideau Valley Drive, Manotick, ON |
Time: | 09:00am - 12:00pm |
Contact: |
Please come join our invasive species identification workshop, if you are interested in learning how to identify these invaders and how you can manage them in your own home. Join us for a presentation that will teach you about many aquatic and terrestrial invasive species. There will be displays as well as lots of information, and two of our staff will be there to answer any questions you may have.
Parking: There is parking at our main office
Meeting location: Main foyer of the RVCA main office
What we will provide: We will have water, coffee, tea, some snacks, and lots of displays!
If you are interested in participating, please RSVP
Tire Clean Up @ Ramsay Creek
Date: | Thursday 22 August 2019 - |
Location: | Generation Court |
Time: | 09:00am - 12:00pm |
Contact: |
Location: Meet at Generation Court https://goo.gl/maps/HDbpcKWewK8n3nYk6
This year’s survey has shown that we have many tires along Ramsay Creek, so we will remove many of these in areas were there was many. We will be collecting tires along the roadside and collecting them in our work vehicles. Many of these tires are near the Russell Road / Ramsayville Road area.
Parking: There is roadside parking at Generation Court
Meeting location: Generation Court (https://goo.gl/maps/HDbpcKWewK8n3nYk6)
What to wear: Dress for the weather! Wear waterproof boots, long socks (if you want to borrow chest waders), long pants and a hat
What to bring: Feel free to bring your own gloves if you have a favorite but we will provide them; please bring your own water bottle
What we will provide: We will have drinking water to replenish empty bottles, some snacks, chest waders (for those who reserve them send me your shoe size with your RSVP), gloves
If you are interested in participating, please RSVP for chest waders
Invasive flowering rush removal @ Baxter ASL Pond
Date: | Saturday 24 August 2019 - |
Location: | Baxter Conservation Area, 7498 Carter Rd, Kars, Ontario |
Time: | 09:00am - 12:00pm |
Contact: |
Location: Baxter Conservation Area, Interpretive Center https://goo.gl/maps/35rmhS5H38nqZa8s8
Come help maintain our educational Baxter ASL Pond at Baxter Conservation Area. We will be removing invasive flowering rush by digging it out, to allow for the native vegetation to flourish.
Parking: There is parking at the interpretive center
Meeting location: In front of the Baxter ASL Pond, a few metres from the interpretive centre
What to wear: Dress for the weather! Wear waterproof boots, long socks (if you want to borrow chest waders), long pants and a hat
What to bring: Feel free to bring your own gloves if you have a favorite but we will provide them; please bring your own water bottle
What we will provide: We will have drinking water to replenish empty bottles, some snacks, chest waders (for those who reserve them send me your shoe size with your RSVP), gloves and shovels
If you are interested in participating, please RSVP for chest waders
Invasive Species Removal (Yellow Iris) @ Hunt Club Creek
Date: | Wednesday 18 September 2019 - |
Location: | Rivergate Way |
Time: | 09:00am - 12:00pm |
Contact: |
Time: 9am - 12pm
Location: Rivergate Way
https://goo.gl/maps/UXQp9my26rKLoWSFA
We will be removing invasive Yellow Iris from Hunt Club Creek near the intersection of Riverside Drive. This removal will be requiring some shovel work to remove the whole plant.
Parking: There is road side parking at Rivergate Way
Meeting location: Rivergate Way
What to wear: Dress for the weather! Wear waterproof boots, long pants and a hat
What to bring: Feel free to bring your own gloves if you have a favorite but we will provide them; please bring your own water bottle
What we will provide: We will have drinking water to replenish empty bottles, some snacks, chest waders, shovels and gloves
If you are interested in participating, please RSVP for chest waders
As part of our obligations under RVCA’s health and Safety policy I have included a link to our participant guide, with a list of possible hazards that could be encountered during stream surveys. The potential hazards specific to each site will be covered on the day of the survey. Please take a minute to review the link and let me know if you have any questions.
To participate in any of our City Stream Watch events please read in advance the participant guide below:
GLAD Clean up the Capital event @ Sawmill Creek (Towngate Plaza)
Date: | Saturday 28 September 2019 - |
Location: | Towngate Shopping Plaza, located at Bank St. and Hunt Club Rd. intersection |
Time: | 09:00am - 12:00pm |
Contact: |
Time: 9am - 12pm
Location: Towngate Shopping Plaza, located at Bank St. and Hunt Club Rd. intersection (https://goo.gl/maps/mJg14q4zQ6L2)
In support of GLAD Clean up the Capital event we will be conducting a cleanup in Sawmill Creek along the Towngate Shopping Plaza region. Participants will help to clean up garbage the stream and shorelines surrounding Sawmill Creek. There are several areas in the region that tend to accumulate garbage, and we will divide the group out across these locations. We will meet up in the South (back end) of the Towngate Parking lot for 9:00AM.
Parking: There is parking at the shopping plaza
Meeting location: We will be meeting at the south end of the parking lot behind the Produce Depot
What to wear: Dress for the weather! Wear waterproof boots, long pants and a hat
What to bring: Feel free to bring your own gloves if you have a favorite but we will provide them; please bring your own water bottle
What we will provide: We will have drinking water to replenish empty bottles, some snacks, chest waders, garbage bags and gloves
If you are interested in participating, please RSVP for chest waders
As part of our obligations under RVCA’s health and Safety policy I have included a link to our participant guide, with a list of possible hazards that could be encountered during stream surveys. The potential hazards specific to each site will be covered on the day of the survey. Please take a minute to review the link and let me know if you have any questions.
To participate in any of our City Stream Watch events please read in advance the participant guide below:
https://www.rvca.ca/volunteer/participant-guide
Invasive Species Removal (Yellow Iris) @ Hunt Club Creek
Date: | Monday 30 September 2019 - |
Location: | Hunt Club area |
Time: | 09:00am - 12:00pm |
Contact: |
This event will be limited to 5 participants as it will be held in private property.
Time: 9am - 12pm
Location: Hunt Club area
We will be removing invasive Yellow Iris from Hunt Club Creek. This removal will be requiring some shovel work to remove the whole plant.
Meeting location: TBA
What to wear: Dress for the weather! Wear waterproof boots, long pants and a hat
What to bring: Feel free to bring your own gloves if you have a favorite but we will provide them; please bring your own water bottle
What we will provide: We will have drinking water to replenish empty bottles, some snacks, chest waders, shovels and gloves
If you are interested in participating, please RSVP, limited spots available
As part of our obligations under RVCA’s health and Safety policy I have included a link to our participant guide, with a list of possible hazards that could be encountered during stream surveys. The potential hazards specific to each site will be covered on the day of the survey. Please take a minute to review the link and let me know if you have any questions.
To participate in any of our City Stream Watch events please read in advance the participant guide below:
Ultimate Aquatics Workshop @ Jock River Landing
Date: | Saturday 26 October 2019 - |
Location: | Jock River Landing |
Time: | 10:00am - 02:00pm |
Contact: |
Time: 10am - 2pm
Location: Jock River Landing
https://goo.gl/maps/j6SYn9VeL3bLSWAb6
City Stream Watch, the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and the Ottawa Flyfishers Society are pairing up on October 26 for an exciting aquatic insect, fish and flyfishing workshop! The event will be held from 10:00AM – 2:00PM, however you can come and go as you please. The morning session will be reserved for the aquatic sciences/monitoring demonstrations, while the afternoon will focus on fishing and recreational practices.
From 10:00AM to 12:00PM participants will learn how to sample and identify fish and benthic macro-invertebrates. This portion will be of a “hands-on” nature and will be taught by Rideau Valley Conservation Authority staff.
After lunch, the Ottawa Flyfishers Society will take over, providing fly casting demonstrations and pairing up with other participants for a little more “hands on” experience of a fishing nature. Equipment will be provided. This part of the program should run from about 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.
The workshop will be carried out at the Jock River Landing, located just off Prince of Wales Dr/Lodge Rd (https://goo.gl/maps/j6SYn9VeL3bLSWAb6). Lunch and refreshments will be provided for the event. Given that this event tends to be quite popular, if you need to cancel please let us know right away to free up space for others on our waiting list.
Due to the nature of the program, we must limit the session to 30 people. To avoid disappointment, please RSVP early by emailing . There will be a waiting list for those who email after signup is full, in case of cancellations.
If you are interested in participating, please RSVP for chest waders
As part of our obligations under RVCA’s health and Safety policy I have included a link to our participant guide, with a list of possible hazards that could be encountered during stream surveys. The potential hazards specific to each site will be covered on the day of the survey. Please take a minute to review the link and let me know if you have any questions.
To participate in any of our City Stream Watch events please read in advance the participant guide below: