Monthly Archive

PayByPhone Now At Your Local Conservation Area

Rideau Valley Conservation Authority’s (RVCA) new PayByPhone service is going to make visits to local conservation areas easier. Cash payment is no longer required. Complicated paystations are not an issue. As long as you have a phone or computer, you are covered.

“Paying at our remote conservation areas has always caused challenges,” says Kristy Giles, RVCA Conservation Lands Manager. “By using this PayByPhone service, it allows visitors to pay online through their phone or from their home computer, making it exceptionally convenient and reliable.”

Visitors can virtually buy day passes or even an annual pass from their home computer before they hit the road by visiting the paybyphone.com website or they can use a free app on their smart phone and do it at the site. The service allows two vehicles to be registered to an account, allowing families more flexibility in what vehicle they take on any given day.

“It’s simple, easy and safe (secure),” say Giles, noting that this application is being used internationally by big cities to help efficiently manage parking, tolls and entry fees. Giles is excited to see public uptake and reaction; although she is quick to see the humour in how this high-tech solution come to the aid of a low-tech outdoor experience.

The PayByPhone service will be available at all user pay conservation areas, which include Baxter, Foley Mountain, Rideau Ferry, W.A. Taylor and Perth Wildlife Reserve. Visitors can sign up for a free account at www.paybyphone.com. Once registered, customers can simply use the mobile app, the internet, or a mobile phone to pay for parking.

RVCA will be launching this payment option for the summer opening of its conservation areas on the May long weekend. RVCA will continue with traditional payment options at some locations, but hopes to make the switch to full PayByPhone use in the next 16 months.

Seeking Volunteer “Scientists” for City Stream Watch Program

The City Stream Watch Program is looking for volunteer “scientists” to help monitor, protect and cleanup Ottawa streams. Now is the best time to get involved as a Stream Watch Training Session will be held for volunteers on Saturday, May 28. The training session will welcome new volunteers and familiarize them with the basics of stream sampling and environmental data collection.

“The City Stream Watch program is driven by volunteer participation and gives the community a chance to contribute to the health of their local streams,” said Justin Robert, City Stream Watch Coordinator. “By helping to assess these unique urban features, volunteers play a crucial role in environmental protection and enhancement.”

This year’s City Stream Watch Training Session is scheduled for Saturday, May 28 from 10 a.m. to noon along the shores of Graham Creek. All necessary equipment is provided and there is no cost to volunteers; however, preregistration for this event is required. Simply email Justin at to register or for more information.

This year the City Stream Watch Program is collecting data on Brassils (Burritts Rapids), Graham (Ottawa West), Greens (Gloucester) and McEwan Creek (Hunt Club East). The 2016 sampling season will focus on assessing the habitat, water and shoreline conditions of the stream, and includes fish community sampling. There are also additional opportunities for cleanups, shoreline planting and invasive species removals.

“Over the last 14 years, the City Stream Watch Program has welcomed the help of over 2,300 volunteers who have contributed over 12,000 hours towards conservation projects and monitoring,” said Robert.

The City Stream Watch program is a community-based partnership, which includes the City of Ottawa, Heron Park Community Association, the Canadian Forces Fish & Game Club, the Ottawa Flyfishers Society, the Rideau Roundtable, the Ottawa Stewardship Council, NCC and Rideau Valley Conservation Authority.

For more information about the program, including the reports of streams previously studied, please visit