Monthly Archive

Yes, even good dogs must be leashed to protect nesting wildlife

RIDEAU VALLEY, March 19, 2021 – Even the goodest of good pups can accidentally harass or kill wildlife while off exploring, which is why we’re reminding visitors to keep their dogs on-leash and on conservation area trails at all times.

Spring is a particularly sensitive time, as some birds and animals build their nests on or very close to the ground. These nests can easily be trampled, eaten or otherwise destroyed by curious canines.

While we welcome on-leash dogs to most of our conservation areas, RVCA's Conservation Lands manager Chelsey Ellis says her department’s top priority is protecting the natural spaces the RVCA owns and manages.

“Off-leash dogs disrupt the ecosystems we are trying to protect,” Ellis said. “We want to ensure we can balance all the unique natural activities happening at our sites. Guest can do their part to help by keeping dogs on-leash while they connect with nature.”

The meadowlark, bobolink and whip-poor-will are all considered species at risk in Ontario, and all of them build their nests on the ground, making them vulnerable to roaming pups. Game animals like grouse, ducks and turkeys also nest on the ground. Mammals like mice, voles, chipmunks and even skunks can also be found cuddled up with their young in burrows, under logs, in leaf litter or in cavities at the base of trees where they are at risk of being disturbed.

Allowing pups to poop in the woods where it’s not easily cleaned up is a problem, too, as dog poop can contaminate nearby waterways and introduce disease and parasites to local wildlife. Cleaning up after your dog – on or off the trail – is essential to protecting our natural areas and waterways.

The RVCA operates 11 conservation areas across the watershed, including 42 kilometres of trails. Our properties include wetlands and forests, unique floodplain lands along the Rideau River and a wildlife reserve in Perth. Please note the wildlife reserve does not allow any dogs at any time.

To plan your visit, see www.rvca.ca/conservation-areas.

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Team of super sleuths help RVCA investigate Adrains Creek

RIDEAU LAKES, March 15, 2021 – Holmes and Watson would surely approve of the watershed’s latest investigative team: the Township of Rideau Lakes, Upper Rideau Lake Association (URLA) and the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA). 

This spring, staff and volunteers from all three organizations will embark on their second season of a unique collaboration to examine why water quality in Adrains Creek is consistently rated “poor” in RVCA reports – and whether the creek is contributing to the same poor rating in Upper Rideau Lake. 

RVCA regularly monitors sites throughout Upper Rideau Lake and one site on Adrains Creek. The township contributed funding to support additional sampling last summer, and URLA supplied funding and two volunteers. 

“This is a new type of project for us,” said RVCA’s surface water quality co-ordinator Sarah MacLeod-Neilson, who organized the program. “We’re excited for more collaborations like this. We want to work with our municipalities, lake associations and other local partners to identify and address specific problem areas.”

Adrains Creek was identified as having poor water quality in a 2014 subwatershed report because of high concentrations of nutrients, metals and bacterial counts, but it was unclear whether that was due to natural causes, a one-off event or upstream land uses. 

Malcolm Norwood, then the township’s acting manager of development services, said this kind of investigation helps the municipality make better planning decisions. 

“The more detailed information we can get, the easier it is to go to Council and say, ‘Here’s the problem and here are some policy options to rectify it,’” Norwood said. “Being able to partner with the RVCA and use their expertise helps us understand these acute problems to enact better policies.”

Dave Counter was one of two URLA volunteers who provided his time and a boat to get samples to the RVCA while working within strict public health measures last summer. The idea was that he and fellow volunteer Ena Shaw would sample the creek during big rain events, but the 2020 summer was so dry it almost never happened. 

Instead, Counter and Shaw took standing water samples ever few weeks and sent MacLeod-Neilson photos of the creek’s general status. 

Counter and Shaw also tested lake water in McNally’s Bay and at the mouth of the creek to determine if the creek’s water quality was impacting the lake. Results showed no evidence that it was, largely due to the lack of water flow in the system. 

Despite last year’s efforts, no definitive cause for the creek’s poor quality was unearthed. With the mystery still to be solved, all parties have agreed that more monitoring is needed in 2021. Counter has already committed to continue sampling this spring and summer – hopefully with more rain events to get the flow data they need. 

“I told the RVCA if they needed any help solving this mystery, we would provide it,” Counter said. 

As for MacLeod-Neilson, she said she’s impressed with the dedication of RVCA’s volunteers and the interest from member municipalities to protect and improve water quality in the Rideau Valley. 

“We’re truly grateful to all of our partners,” she said. 

To learn more about RVCA water quality monitoring and for information about your subwatershed, visit watersheds.rvca.ca. 

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Respect the Rideau: Don’t let huts or hockey nets go down with the ice

OTTAWA, March 1, 2021 – It’s officially March! And you know what that means: time to haul in your fishing huts, hockey nets and other gear before the ice is out. 

Building materials, rink lights, benches and shovels, garbage and other waste can pollute our rivers and lakes, be toxic for fish and wildlife and create hazards for boaters and swimmers in the spring. 

Under Ontario law, Eastern Ontario fishing huts must be removed by March 15. However, as the sun gets stronger and the weather begins to warm, it’s wise to remove them sooner rather than later. If you wait too long, you may find the ice too thin to access your belongings! It is an offence under the Public Lands Act to leave your ice hut out after ice break up, even if that occurs before the removal deadline.

So take some time this week to collect your belongings, dispose of your garbage and dismantle any structures you’ve built on the ice. Protect and respect the river that has kept you going all through the long winter months! 

For complete fishing hut regulations visit www.ontario.ca/ice-fishing. To learn about water quality in your area and how to improve it, visit watersheds.rvca.ca.

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Embrace winter with free outdoor adventure kits from Foley Mountain

WESTPORT, March 1, 2021 – Get out and enjoy everything winter has to offer with a free outdoor adventure kit from Foley Mountain Conservation Area. 

Beginning March 2, families can pick up one of 100 kits from any Rideau Lakes or Westport library branch. 

The kits include materials and instructions to identify and follow animal tracks in the snow, explore the wonderful world of snowflakes, do an experiment with a jello mouse, create a backyard birdfeeder, make snow ice cream and more. 

“This is just another way we’re keeping connected with local families and promoting outdoor education,” said site supervisor Rebecca Whitman. “We hope people will be inspired to get outside more and enjoy all the fun winter has to offer.”

The kits were made possible through generous donations from Friends of Foley Mountain and the Township of Rideau Lakes, support from Kudrinko’s grocery store in Westport and distribution services from the libraries.

“This is the first time we’re doing this and we’re thrilled to have so many partners involved to keep families engaged while they’re at home,” Whitman said. 

The kits can be adapted for all ages; parents can modify the activities as needed to engage both younger and older kids.

While signs of spring are starting to appear, there could still be another six weeks of winter – and this is the time when families start to feel the fatigue of the coldest months. 

“I’m hoping these kits will help families pull through the last stretch of winter and keep the wonder of nature and the great outdoors at their fingertips,” Whitman said.

Questions about the kits can be sent to . 

More “Fresh Air Fun” activities can be found at www.rvca.ca and on our YouTube channel.  

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