Donate to Your Local Conservation Authority This Holiday Season
- Are you donating to local charities this holiday season? Do you want your donation to make a difference in your community, and help to protect and restore the local environment? Why not consider donating to your local Conservation Authority!
- South Nation Conservation (SNC) is a not-for-profit, community-based environmental organization that relies on donations and self-generated revenue to spearhead certain environmental initiatives across Eastern Ontario.
- Donations also help to fund SNC’s environmental outreach programs for local youth.
- These programs include summer Youth Fish Camps, the Maple Syrup Education Program at the Oschmann Forest Conservation Area in North Dundas, and the Stream of Dreams Educational Art Program delivered in local schools.
- Donations can be made towards: a particular Conservation Area for property or trail upgrades; memorial trees or benches in memory of loved ones; native wildlife habitat restoration projects; or tree planting.
- Donations can be made online at www.nation.on.ca/donate or by contacting the Conservation Authority’s office in Finch at 1-877-984-2948 or info@nation.on.ca, and donors can remain anonymous if they wish.
- SNC is a registered charity with the Canadian Revenue Agency and may issue donation receipts for tax return purposes.
- FOR MORE INFORMATION: Taylor Campbell, Communications Specialist, 1-877-984-2948, tcampbell@nation.on.ca.
Habitat Restoration at Community Forests in Osgoode and Cumberland
- Thanks to support from Ontario Power Generation (OPG), South Nation Conservation (SNC) will be undertaking restoration work at the Gamble Community Forest in Osgoode and Garlandside Community Forest in Cumberland within the City of Ottawa.
- Main activities throughout 2021 and 2022 will include removing dead Ash Trees infected by the Emerald Ash Borer, planting native trees and shrubs to help increase forest cover, and removing invasive Glossy Buckthorn to help protect the forest’s native ecosystem.
- Nesting boxes and hen houses will also be installed for wildlife habitat and to help protect and increase regional biodiversity.
- Staff will be conducting field assessments in fall 2020 to support this work. New signs will be installed at the properties to inform residents of planned activities and project letters will be sent to neighboring property owners.
- SNC has a long history of partnering with OPG through its Regional Biodiversity Program to work on environmental stewardship projects that help to increase biodiversity and restore habitats for plants and animals in woodlands, grasslands, and wetlands.
- A 3-year project with OPG was recently completed by SNC in the Larose Forest last year; and a new 3-year restoration project is currently underway at the J. Henry Tweed Conservation Area in Russell.
- SNC is committed to securing regional investments and working with its partner municipalities to maintain, conserve and restore public natural spaces, and to ensure accessible and safe recreational opportunities for residents.
- For more information, please contact Michelle Cavanagh at mcavanagh@nation.on.ca or 1-877-984-2948.
We have developed a couple of surveys to better help people report their concerns and observations from this year’s drought. Our staff monitor responses and answer residents as needed; and use information to guide low water response.
- A survey has been developed for farmers to report impact of drought conditions to their operations water supplies: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=x5sebKeP10-GyXXHprW37uK1hoOaAphHtL0ry_xiOTxUNk8zTVVLOTExTU9EVDdKTThQNlJTOFdDWi4u
- A survey has been developed for all other residents and commercial or recreational water users to submit their observations and concerns: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/e7f7fb6cb05c4e5b88a8e456ce1c2940?
They’re also both available in English and French on our website here: https://www.nation.on.ca/water/watershed-conditions/flood-forecasting-warning/current-watershed-conditions
Rain Improves Drought Conditions in Parts of SNC Jurisdiction
The South Nation Conservation (SNC) Water Response Team has downgraded the Lower South Nation, Bear Brook and Castor River Subwatersheds to Level I (minor) low water conditions effective August 13, 2020
In the past couple of weeks Eastern Ontario has received significant rainfall, bringing some relief to drought conditions and helping to replenish ground and surface water across the three subwatersheds.
The Upper South Nation Subwatershed continues to experience Level II (moderate) low water conditions due to persistent hot and dry weather in the region.
Domestic, commercial, and agricultural water consumers can help mitigate the impacts of low water conditions by implementing efficiencies and reducing their water consumption by 10% (Level I) and 20% (Level II) through limiting non-essential use (e.g. lawn watering, car washing, etc.). Residents should be aware of their municipality's water conservation and fire by-laws.
Landowners are encouraged to contact SNC through an online portal on SNC’s website if they are experiencing any problems with their wells or if they have any concerns and information to share with staff.
SNC has also developed an online survey for farmers to report their low water concerns and observations from this year’s drought. Anonymous survey data will be used to measure the severity of low water conditions and will be shared with stakeholders to guide future drought response and fund development for drought support programs.
SNC's Water Response Team, created under the Ontario Low Water Response program, consists of representatives from provincial and municipal governments, agriculture, and special interest groups. SNC will continue to monitor watershed conditions and will provide updates as required.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Omar Kana’n, Water Resources Specialist – Engineering,
613-984-2948, okanan@nation.on.ca.
South Nation Conservation (SNC) is committed to supporting municipalities, partners, and people as the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic unfolds. Updates and changes to our operations and business continuity are posted online: www.nation.on.ca/coronavirus. In accordance with the Government of Ontario’s Emergency Orders, many outdoor physical recreational amenities were closed. SNC plans to re-open public boat launches and river access points and select Conservation Areas. Some sites will open on Saturday, May 16th; some on Tuesday, May 19th, 2020.
- There are no physical structures, permanent washrooms, or amenities at previously open sites.
- There are maintained pedestrian bridges and recreational trails.
- Regular maintenance activities will continue.
- SNC will not be installing portable washrooms for the time being.
- New signs with public health directives will be reinstalled at all sites on Tuesday, May 19th.
The following Conservation Area continue to remain open and maintained for passive recreation (walking):
• Two Creek Forest Conservation Area (Morrisburg)
• Oschmann Forest Conservation Area (Ormond)
• Robert Graham Conservation Area (Glen Stewart)
• Warwick Forest Conservation Area (Berwick)
• J. Henry Tweed Conservation Area (Russell)
• W. E. Burton Conservation Area (Russell)
• Reveler Conservation Area (Crysler)
• Nokomis Park (Limoges)
SNC is launching Live Educational Video Series to Engage with Families at Home. Beginning May 7th, South Nation Conservation (SNC) will be live streaming family-friendly educational videos on Facebook every Thursday at 1:00 pm as part of a new series called Nature at Home.
Appropriate COVID-19 precautionary measures are in place to support staff while outside. People must maintain distances while on trails, for a list of properties still available for walking visit:
www.nation.on.ca/coronavirus.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Taylor Campbell, Communications Specialist,
613-551-7158, tcampbell@nation.on.ca.
Residents in flood prone or low-lying areas, historically susceptible to flooding, should take the necessary precautions to protect their property, such as:
- Ensuring sump pump is clear, in good working condition and has a backwater valve on it
- Portable backup generator and pump
- Ensuring downspouts are clear and the outlet is at least 3 m from the dwelling
- Removing or securing items that might float away as flows increase
- Removing valuable items from basements or lower floors that could be subject to flooding
- Keep emergency phone numbers handy
- Familiarize yourself with your municipality’s emergency preparedness plan
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