RIDEAU VALLEY, March 31, 2026 – Much has changed in the Rideau Valley watershed since 1966, but the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority has remained a steady source of collaboration and expertise for its partners and municipalities throughout those 60 years.
On March 31, 2026 the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) officially marked 60 years of conservation across its 4,200 km2 jurisdiction. The Board of Directors and staff gathered for a celebration of this milestone and to recognize the contribution of staff.
“For six decades staff have done great work for the Rideau Valley watershed and made a tangible, positive difference under the RVCA banner,” said General Manager Sommer Casgrain-Robertson. “It’s important to take a moment to recognize the impact of the RVCA and its dedicated staff.”
A Shared Municipal Resource
In January 1966, representatives from 39 municipalities gathered at Tops Marina Motor Hotel in Smiths Falls to create the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, which the Province formally approved on March 31, 1966.
Since then, RVCA has worked closely with its municipal and provincial partners on many programs that support a resilient, safe and healthy watershed. Provincial programs include flood forecasting and warning, groundwater and surface water quality monitoring, protecting drinking water sources and directing development away from watercourses, wetlands and hazardous areas like floodplains, steep slopes and unstable soils.
With municipal support, RVCA operates 11 conservation areas with trails, beaches and water access, and delivers outdoor education and forest school programs for students and families. It also offers generous landowner grants for tree planting, shoreline naturalization and clean water projects, and regulates and reinspects septic systems on behalf of some municipalities.
Since 1966 the RVCA has:
- Developed 11 public conservation areas which now welcome 300,000 visitors a year to enjoy 42 km of trails, 3 public beaches and numerous boat launches;
- Created outdoor education, forest school and summer camp programs at Baxter and Foley Mountain conservation areas which now welcome 10,000 students a year;
- Secured $16.6M in funding for landowner stewardship projects resulting in 7.9 million trees planted, 43 km of shorelines naturalized and 2,600 clean water projects completed;
- Acquired nearly 9,000 acres of sensitive ecological lands for perpetual protection in partnership with our Foundation, including 2,837 acres donated by private landowners;
- Surveyed 544 km of streams for aquatic habitat health and monitored 51 different water quality parameters a year at 45 stream sites and 39 lakes;
- Completed 2,480 km of natural hazard mapping to inform development decisions and help model flood and erosion risks;
- Issued 300+ development permits a year, with an average wait time of just 11 days and 100% approval rate in 2025;
- Reviewed 1,000+ planning applications, received 700+ septic permit applications and reinspected 400+ septic systems annually on behalf of municipalities;
- Monitored water levels, stream flows and weather to offer low water and critical flood forecasting services to municipal partners;
- And much more.
A Year-Long Community Celebration
RVCA has planned a year’s worth of exciting public engagement to mark this milestone, including a new self-guided Outdoor Adventure Challenge, free special-edition water bottle stickers and an immersive Conservation Community Day.
60th Anniversary Community Day
June 13, 2026 @ RVCA head office in Manotick
Join RVCA staff for a day of free outdoor programs and activities for the whole family, including two Birds of Prey demonstrations from the Canadian Raptor Conservancy! Explore our collections of furs, skulls and aquatic insects, meet our most villainous invasive species, try your hand at some tree ID, and much more.
Outdoor Adventure Challenge
Your adventure starts here! We challenge you to explore our 11 public conservation areas throughout 2026. Tag us in your travels with #RVCAdventure and be sure to order your free water bottle stickers at www.rvca.ca/adventure. Watch for details about a series of free public events throughout the year:
- May 23, 2026 - Spring Guided Hike @ Foley Mountain Conservation Area
- July 4, 2026 - Free Beach Day @ Foley Mountain, Rideau Ferry & Baxter conservation areas
- September 13, 2026 - Yoga by the River @ Baxter Conservation Area
- October 3, 2026 - Fall Colours Guided Hike @ Mill Pond Conservation Area
To learn more about RVCA’s programs and services visit www.rvca.ca.
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