Baxter is CLOSED for the holidays from December 16, 2017 to January 1, 2018. Baxter will reopen on January 2, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. Happy Holidays!

Baxter Winter Adventures PD Day Camp

Contact Andrea Wood for more information.

Baxter Winter Adventures PD Day Camp

Contact Andrea Wood for more information.

(FULL) Baxter Winter Adventures PD Day Camp

Contact Andrea Wood for more information.

Foley Mountain Winter Adventures PD Day Camp

Contact Leah Roberts for more information.

This course provides participants with information on how to evaluate constrained (site specific location) and unconstrained (reach based approach) headwater drainage features (HDFs). This module provides a means of characterizing the amount of water, sediment transport, storage capacity, connectivity, form and unique features associated with each HDF. A HDF is a depression in the land that conveys surface flow and is typically a first or second order feature. An objective of this module is to provide standardized datasets to support science development and monitoring on both the interim guidelines for headwater drainage features (TRCA and CVC 2013) and to evaluate existing mitigation strategies. 

Cost: $226 per person ($200 plus HST) (Business #107896136)

Download Registration Form

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New this spring and summer — experience nature hands-on, as a family, connect with the outdoors and build a lifelong relationship with the natural world. 12 FREE morning programs for families with children of all ages. Children and parents can experience nature hands-on, as a family, connect with the outdoors and build a lifelong relationship with the natural world. We will spend time wandering and playing in the forest, exploring new treasures, listening to stories, and building creations after a lovely hike. Come out to find community as we walk the trails and play before heading back out into the world.

General Information:  This is a drop-in group — everyone is welcome!, pre-registration is not required, all children must be accompanied by an adult, FREE of cost 

For more information click here

Contact Rebecca Whitman

Date: Saturday May 5, 2018
Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Towngate Shopping Centre, 2446 Bank Street

Details: For anyone who is interested in getting their hands dirty! We will be joining the Canadian Forces Fish and Game Club in a cleanup along Sawmill Creek.  Unfortunately this busy spot requires a cleanup multiple times every year to make sure that garbage that accumulates along the banks doesn’t make its way into the creek. Garbage bags and gloves will be provided.

To register for this event and receive all the details email:

Black Rapids Creek Shoreline Planting

City Stream Watch is joining forces with the Shoreline Naturalization team for a shoreline planting event on Thursday May 17^th. We will be heading to Black Rapids Creek in Barrhaven to regenerate a site by planting native shrubs where invasive buckthorn has been removed. We would love your help! All the details are below. If you are interested in joining us please RSVP so we can register you for the event.

Parking: We suggest that you park at the Park-and-Ride lot at the corner of Woodroffe Ave and Fallowfield Rd. https://goo.gl/maps/Pte8pxKYAn22

Meeting location: From the Park-and-Ride you will walk across Woodroffe Ave to the Greenbelt pathway. Follow the pathway going North beside Woodroffe past the Equestrian Centre and across the railway tracks. You will see RVCA staff with white pickup trucks set up close to the first pedestrian bridge along the path. https://goo.gl/maps/SwdVoG36nqS2

The walk will probably take about 10-15 mins.

What to wear: Dress for the weather! Wear sturdy shoes, long pants and a hat

What to bring: Bring water and a packed lunch. Feel free to bring your own gloves and/or shovel if you have a favorite but we will provide both as well

What we will provide: We will have drinking water to replenish empty bottles, shovels and gloves

To register for this event please email:

New this spring and summer — experience nature hands-on, as a family, connect with the outdoors and build a lifelong relationship with the natural world. 12 FREE morning programs for families with children of all ages. Children and parents can experience nature hands-on, as a family, connect with the outdoors and build a lifelong relationship with the natural world. We will spend time wandering and playing in the forest, exploring new treasures, listening to stories, and building creations after a lovely hike. Come out to find community as we walk the trails and play before heading back out into the world.

General Information:  This is a drop-in group — everyone is welcome!, pre-registration is not required, all children must be accompanied by an adult, FREE of cost 

For more information click here

Contact Rebecca Whitman

Stream survey season will be kicking off in June with our annual Spring Orientation/Training Session for new volunteers. If you are new to City Stream Watch, this is a great way to get a taste of what stream surveys are all about and to meet the CSW staff. Our annual stream survey training workshop for new volunteers is being planned for Saturday June 2nd. The session will be carried out along the shoreline of Sawmill Creek along Riverside Drive/Rideau River Eastern Pathway. Please RSVP to register and receive additional details. If you have joined us for stream surveys in the past or have come out to a training session in the last few years, there is no need to attend the training session this year.  Also, if you are unavailable for this session, but you are interested in helping with stream surveys, the workshop is non-mandatory as we always provide “on-the-job” training.

Spring Orientation/Training Session

Date: Saturday June 2, 2018

Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm

Location: Rideau River Eastern Pathway – Parkland beside Sawmill Creek/Riverside Drive https://goo.gl/maps/YYRaJjRYMwz

RSVP to register!

This course is a one day training workshop designed to certify crew leaders in the use of backpack Electrofishing equipment. The main emphasis of this course is the safe use of backpack electroshocking units. Topics covered include; safety procedures and equipment, electrical theory, electrofishing theory, study design considerations and ethics. Registration is imited so please register early.

The course is broken into three components:

1. Classroom instruction
2. Field evaluation
3. Examination

Instruction will be provided by a Class 1 OMNR certified instructor and meets OMNR policy standards.

Cost: $226 per person ($200 plus HST) (Business #107896136)

Download Registration Form

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We are looking for volunteers to help green up the shoreline of Green’s Creek on Friday June 15.

City Stream Watch is partnering with RVCA’s Shoreline Naturalization Program to plant approximately 200 native shrubs and trees at the site of the new fire station on Cyrville Rd. This developed stretch of Green’s Creek has received a lot of TLC from volunteers in the past with multiple garbage cleanups and shoreline planting projects. It is nice to continue greening this section with another great planting project!

The event will run from 10:00am to noon.

Please email to register for this event so we have an idea of how many volunteers to expect. All registered volunteers will receive an email a few days before the event with additional details and everything you need to know.

Contact Rebecca Whitman for more information.

The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) has completed a hazard mapping study for Nichols Creek from the Montague Boundary Road to the Jock River. Members of the public are invited to an upcoming open house to review regulation and hazard maps. 

New this spring and summer — experience nature hands-on, as a family, connect with the outdoors and build a lifelong relationship with the natural world. 12 FREE morning programs for families with children of all ages. Children and parents can experience nature hands-on, as a family, connect with the outdoors and build a lifelong relationship with the natural world. We will spend time wandering and playing in the forest, exploring new treasures, listening to stories, and building creations after a lovely hike. Come out to find community as we walk the trails and play before heading back out into the world.

General Information:  This is a drop-in group — everyone is welcome!, pre-registration is not required, all children must be accompanied by an adult, FREE of cost 

For more information click here

Contact Rebecca Whitman

City Stream Watch is returning to Sawmill Creek this Saturday to tackle a patch of invasive Japanese knotweed that we have been working on for the past few years. This particular removal is an ongoing pilot project City Stream Watch has been working on trying to reduce the plant density of the Knotweed in this area. The good news is: it’s working! The size of the patch has reduced significantly but we still need to be diligent and keep working at it. We will be removing the plant by hand and with the use of shovels and rakes to remove root and rhizome material. We will meet up in the south (back end) of the Towngate Parking lot for 9:00AM. We will provide some snacks/beverages, but ask that you do bring along a water bottle.

Towngate Mall Japanese Knotweed Removal – Sawmill Creek
Date: Saturday July 7^th, 2018
Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Towngate Mall (Located near Hunt Club / Bank St Intersection)
(https://goo.gl/maps/6VjEg7fv3MQ2)

Information on Japanese Knotweed: https://www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/OIPC_BMP_JapaneseKnotweed.pdf

If you are interested in helping with this project please RSVP to register and receive more details!

Contact Andrea Wood for more information.

Contact Rebecca Whitman for more information.

Garbage Cleanup – Taylor Creek

Date: Saturday July 14, 2018
Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Taylor Creek near St. Joseph Blvd.  https://goo.gl/maps/8u1KJVF31GH2)
Register:  

Contact Andrea Wood for more information.

Contact Andrea Wood for more information.

(for children aged 6-12 )

Click here for more

Contact Rebecca Whitman for more information.

Himalayan Balsam Removal – Taylor Creek

Date: Saturday July 21^st, 2018
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Taylor Creek near St. Joseph Blvd. (https://goo.gl/maps/8u1KJVF31GH2)
Information on Himalayan Balsam: http://www.invadingspecies.com/himalayan-balsam/
Register:  

New this spring and summer — experience nature hands-on, as a family, connect with the outdoors and build a lifelong relationship with the natural world. 12 FREE morning programs for families with children of all ages. Children and parents can experience nature hands-on, as a family, connect with the outdoors and build a lifelong relationship with the natural world. We will spend time wandering and playing in the forest, exploring new treasures, listening to stories, and building creations after a lovely hike. Come out to find community as we walk the trails and play before heading back out into the world.

General Information:  This is a drop-in group — everyone is welcome!, pre-registration is not required, all children must be accompanied by an adult, FREE of cost 

For more information click here

Contact Rebecca Whitman

Get up close with the pond creatures that you know and love and maybe even some you didn’t know existed!

Contact Andrea Wood for more information.

There are more insects on Earth than people and they have some pretty crazy features! We will check out these crawling critters in a morning of fun!

Contact Andrea Wood for more information.

Technology and nature meet in this program where you use GPS units to navigate your way to various waypoints to find geocaches around the park.

Contact Andrea Wood for more information.

Click here for more

Contact Rebecca Whitman for more information.

New this spring and summer — experience nature hands-on, as a family, connect with the outdoors and build a lifelong relationship with the natural world. 12 FREE morning programs for families with children of all ages. Children and parents can experience nature hands-on, as a family, connect with the outdoors and build a lifelong relationship with the natural world. We will spend time wandering and playing in the forest, exploring new treasures, listening to stories, and building creations after a lovely hike. Come out to find community as we walk the trails and play before heading back out into the world.

General Information:  This is a drop-in group — everyone is welcome!, pre-registration is not required, all children must be accompanied by an adult, FREE of cost 

For more information click here

Contact Rebecca Whitman

Himalayan Balsam Removal and Garbage Cleanup – Nepean Creek

Date: Saturday July 28, 2018
Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Nepean Creek near Colonnade Rd. (https://goo.gl/maps/E7c4TkDtSaN2)
Information on Himalayan Balsam: http://www.invadingspecies.com/himalayan-balsam/
Register:  

Contact Andrea Wood for more information.

Contact Andrea Wood for more information.

(for children aged 6-12 )

Click here for more

Contact Rebecca Whitman for more information.

New this spring and summer — experience nature hands-on, as a family, connect with the outdoors and build a lifelong relationship with the natural world. 12 FREE morning programs for families with children of all ages. Children and parents can experience nature hands-on, as a family, connect with the outdoors and build a lifelong relationship with the natural world. We will spend time wandering and playing in the forest, exploring new treasures, listening to stories, and building creations after a lovely hike. Come out to find community as we walk the trails and play before heading back out into the world.

General Information:  This is a drop-in group — everyone is welcome!, pre-registration is not required, all children must be accompanied by an adult, FREE of cost 

For more information click here

Contact Rebecca Whitman

Technology and nature meet in this program where you use GPS units to navigate your way to various waypoints to find geocaches around the park.

Contact Andrea Wood for more information.

Click here for more

Contact Rebecca Whitman for more information.

New this spring and summer — experience nature hands-on, as a family, connect with the outdoors and build a lifelong relationship with the natural world. 12 FREE morning programs for families with children of all ages. Children and parents can experience nature hands-on, as a family, connect with the outdoors and build a lifelong relationship with the natural world. We will spend time wandering and playing in the forest, exploring new treasures, listening to stories, and building creations after a lovely hike. Come out to find community as we walk the trails and play before heading back out into the world.

General Information:  This is a drop-in group — everyone is welcome!, pre-registration is not required, all children must be accompanied by an adult, FREE of cost 

For more information click here

Contact Rebecca Whitman

We are excited to announce that City Stream Watch will be hosting an Invasive Species Workshop again this year. This was a very popular event last year and we got a lot of great feedback!

The goal of the event is to familiarize you with some of the more common aquatic and terrestrial invasive species in our area, give you an understanding of why invasive species are harmful to ecosystems, and to explain some of the steps you can take to prevent invasive species from spreading in your neighborhoods.

There will be a slideshow as well as a few specimens for reference. The workshop will be given by our own Brady McGlade and Nadine Van Dalen who have both completed OFAH invasive species training and are eager to share their knowledge with you! The workshop will last approximately 75 minutes.

Please note that the workshop will be limited to approximately 15 people. If you would like to attend, please email us to reserve your spot —

We are excited to announce that City Stream Watch will be hosting an Invasive Species Workshop again this year. This was a very popular event last year and we got a lot of great feedback!

The goal of the event is to familiarize you with some of the more common aquatic and terrestrial invasive species in our area, give you an understanding of why invasive species are harmful to ecosystems, and to explain some of the steps you can take to prevent invasive species from spreading in your neighborhoods.

There will be a slideshow as well as a few specimens for reference. The workshop will be given by our own Brady McGlade and Nadine Van Dalen who have both completed OFAH invasive species training and are eager to share their knowledge with you! The workshop will last approximately 75 minutes.

Please note that the workshop will be limited to approximately 15 people. If you would like to attend, please email us to reserve your spot —

Contact Andrea Wood for more information.

Contact Andrea Wood for more information.

(for children aged 6-12 )

Click here for more

Contact Rebecca Whitman for more information.

New this spring and summer — experience nature hands-on, as a family, connect with the outdoors and build a lifelong relationship with the natural world. 12 FREE morning programs for families with children of all ages. Children and parents can experience nature hands-on, as a family, connect with the outdoors and build a lifelong relationship with the natural world. We will spend time wandering and playing in the forest, exploring new treasures, listening to stories, and building creations after a lovely hike. Come out to find community as we walk the trails and play before heading back out into the world.

General Information:  This is a drop-in group — everyone is welcome!, pre-registration is not required, all children must be accompanied by an adult, FREE of cost 

For more information click here

Contact Rebecca Whitman

RVCA will be at the 18th Annual Friends of the Tay Watershed's Watershed Discovery Day. Hope to see you there!

Contact Andrea Wood for more information.

Email "> to register!

New this spring and summer — experience nature hands-on, as a family, connect with the outdoors and build a lifelong relationship with the natural world. 12 FREE morning programs for families with children of all ages. Children and parents can experience nature hands-on, as a family, connect with the outdoors and build a lifelong relationship with the natural world. We will spend time wandering and playing in the forest, exploring new treasures, listening to stories, and building creations after a lovely hike. Come out to find community as we walk the trails and play before heading back out into the world.

General Information:  This is a drop-in group — everyone is welcome!, pre-registration is not required, all children must be accompanied by an adult, FREE of cost 

For more information click here

Contact Rebecca Whitman

Email "> to register!

New this spring and summer — experience nature hands-on, as a family, connect with the outdoors and build a lifelong relationship with the natural world. 12 FREE morning programs for families with children of all ages. Children and parents can experience nature hands-on, as a family, connect with the outdoors and build a lifelong relationship with the natural world. We will spend time wandering and playing in the forest, exploring new treasures, listening to stories, and building creations after a lovely hike. Come out to find community as we walk the trails and play before heading back out into the world.

General Information:  This is a drop-in group — everyone is welcome!, pre-registration is not required, all children must be accompanied by an adult, FREE of cost 

For more information click here

Contact Rebecca Whitman

How well can your family survive in nature? Try your hand at shelter and fire building, ending the program with a fire-roasted treat (Bannock)!

Contact Andrea Wood for more information.

Foley Mountain Forest School Open House and Registration Night

This fall, Foley Mountain Forest School will be accepting registrations for our NEW Kindergarten morning program for children ages 3-6 years. The 12 week session begins on September 10, 2018. Students will be engaged in a child-centered learning environment that is active, challenging, experiential and authentic.

Come out to meet the instructors, tour the site and play with your little ones in the forest! Everyone is welcome.

For more information click here (link to: https://www.facebook.com/events/655521958159912/)

Location: Group Camp and Education Area, Foley Mountain Conservation Area, 480 Foley Mountain Lane, Westport,Ontario

Get up close with the pond creatures that you know and love and maybe even some you didn’t know existed!

Contact Andrea Wood for more information.

Email "> to register!

There are more insects on Earth than people and they have some pretty crazy features! We will check out these crawling critters in a morning of fun!

Contact Andrea Wood for more information.

Date: Saturday, September 22
Time: 9:30am – 1:30pm (4hours)
Location: Brewer Pond Park (https://goo.gl/maps/X7Dt8ExoRfK2)

Description: A presentation around the pond with Jennifer Lamoureux, Aquatic and Fish Habitat Biologist with the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA).  The talk will provide information and highlights of how the Brewer Park Pond Restoration came to be.  Why was the pond reconstructed and what are the social and ecological benefits?   Who were the partners involved?  What species have recolonized the newly constructed pond? What's next for the ecological restoration of the area? Following the presentation, there will be an ecology demonstration by RVCA (net fish, frogs and aquatic insects in the pond and learn about their habitat). All equipment will be supplied including chest waders, gloves, nets, buckets, etc. Fun and informative for all ages. 

Date: Sunday, September 23
Time: 9:30am – 1:30pm (4 hours)
Location: Brewer Pond Park (https://goo.gl/maps/X7Dt8ExoRfK2)

Description: As part of the stewardship of Brewer Park, join RVCA's City Stream Watch Program in a hands-on activity pulling the invasive aquatic plants that have colonized a portion of Brewer pond.  Volunteers will be provided with chest waders and work gloves to assist with the invasive species removals.  Very satisfying work!

Registration required! Registration is required so event organizers know how much equipment will be needed. Please email to register for this event and receive more information

During the fall we collect water quality data in various lakes and streams throughout the Rideau Valley watershed.

For more information and how you can volunteer, click here.

We are planning a stream cleanup at Mud Creek for Thursday, October 4, we hope that you can join us!

The cleanup will involve removing some large debris that we came across during our stream surveys this summer. It’s a great thing to do before the winter season to make sure that the garbage doesn’t remain in the creek until next year.

Email  to register for this event and receive more information!

Mud Creek Stream Cleanup

• Date: Thursday, October 4, 2018
• Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm (noon)
• Location: Off of Renaud Road, South of Orleans near the community of Chapel Hill South (https://goo.gl/maps/w2izDgpgDot)

If anyone would like to join us but is unable to make it out to that part of the City we can take a few people in our work vehicle but you would have to meet us at our office in Manotick ().

• Location:  Lodge Rd / Prince of Wales Dr (Jock River Landing) (https://goo.gl/maps/EaUPrJfKNiK2).

Details: City Stream Watch, the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, and the Ottawa Flyfishers Society are pairing up on October 20th for an exciting aquatic insect, fish and flyfishing workshop! The event will be held from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, however, you can come and go as you please. The morning session will be reserved for the aquatic sciences/monitoring demonstrations, while the afternoon will focus on fishing and recreational practices. 

From 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. participants will learn how to sample and identify fish and benthic macroinvertebrates. This portion will be “hands-on” and will be taught by Rideau Valley Conservation Authority staff.  

After lunch, the Ottawa Flyfishers Society will take over, providing fly casting demonstrations and pairing up with participants for a little more “hands-on” experience!  Equipment will be provided.  This part of the program should run from about 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.

• Pre-registration is required due to limited spots available, email

Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association (OOWA) is holding its 2018 Eastern Ontario Regional Roundup on Nov 1, 5-8 pm. Get the latest regulatory updates, ask questions of the local regulators and connect with industry professionals. You can register here: ow.ly/2Ef630mnio2

Seasons Greetings — the RVCA will be closed from Friday, December 21 at 4:30 p.m. until Wednesday, January 2, 2019.