April 11, 2019 - As volunteers go, Larry Hum’s a real humdinger. The retired telecoms engineer has been volunteering with the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) since 2015, helping staff remove invasive plants, survey streams and sample for aquatic animals. “It’s something I always wanted to do, working in the field,” said Mr. Hum, who lives in Bells Corners. He didn’t excel in biology as a student, so he pursued engineering instead. But he still wanted to explore his childhood interest. “It’s an opportunity for me to work in bioscience without going into the heavy, heavy science.” Since joining the…

April 9, 2019 - Close your eyes. Can you picture six million trees? We can – because that’s how many we’ve planted since 1984. The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) has released its 2018 annual report, and among our many accomplishments from the past year, the planting of our six millionth tree stands tall. “Every year we partner with landowners to reforest abandoned farm fields and other unused land,” said Scott Danford, manager of the reforestation program at RVCA. “Putting this land to work promotes wildlife and biodiversity, protects soil from erosion and improves water quality, while improving the look…