News from: May 2018

RIDEAU WATERSHED, June 21, 2018 — How healthy is the Tay River? Readers can learn all about it in the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority’s (RVCA) Tay River Subwatershed Report. This information-loaded report summarizes the subwatershed’s health by looking at four indicators: forests, wetlands, shorelines and water quality. This is the second subwatershed report for the Tay River and compares baseline information collected from 2006 to 2017. Changes are small, but understanding how to prevent cumulative long-term changes is essential.

The Tay River begins its journey at Carnahan Lake, south of the Town of Sharbot Lake. From there it meanders northeast, draining water from 55 lakes into the Lower Rideau Lake at Port Elmsley. Along its way, the Tay flows through the Canadian Shield that defines many of the lakes in the area, including Long, Eagle, Crow and Bobs Lakes. From here downstream, the Tay takes on a more river-like form as it flows towards Christie Lake, before beginning the long descent through rich farmland and the Town of Perth to where it empties into Lower Rideau Lake.

RVCA’s monitoring efforts help us better understand watershed trends and help focus stewardship activities where they are needed the most. These subwatershed reports summarize RVCA information and are valuable tools for decision-makers at all levels — individuals, families, municipalities, counties and the province.

Conditions along the Tay River have remained similar to past years; however, now is always the best time to take steps to maintain, protect and improve our watershed conditions.

Efforts can be simple things like keeping shorelines natural and planting trees to more complicated municipal planning and development projects that protect surface water quality and aquatic habitat through the creation of riparian buffers, and application of stormwater best management practices. The report identifies what the RVCA, municipalities, residents, businesses, community groups and agricultural associations can do to help make environmental gains. 

For landowners looking to do their part, the RVCA provides a number of stewardship programs designed to improve watershed health. The programs provide technical expertise, grants and manpower. By connecting with landowners, the goal is to make real, on-the-ground improvements. Landowners who are interested in learning about possible projects can call the RVCA for details.

This report is part of a series including reports on the Lower Rideau (2012), Kemptville Creek (2013), Rideau Lakes (2014) and Middle Rideau (2015) and Jock River (2016), Next year, similar comparisons on watershed health will be made for the Lower Rideau Subwatershed. 

For your copy of this and other subwatershed reports, call the RVCA at 613-692-3571 ext. 1177 or visit watersheds.rvca.ca. For those looking for more scientific information, monitoring results will be available online this fall through the Tay’s 14 catchments reports.

The Rideau Valley Rural Clean Water Program (RVRCWP) offers grants and technical assistance program for on-farm and rural projects that protect water quality in the Rideau River watershed outside the City of Ottawa (see map). We work in partnership with individual landowners to help protect the land and water we all rely on. 

The RVRCWP is guided by a Steering Committee made up of local citizens drawn from farm organizations, environmental interest groups as well as all levels of government with a direct link to the water environment.

Projects completed create a win-win situation all around. The landowner gets a helping hand with the financing of conservation work, the program sponsors get the pleasure of giving back to their community, and our children and grandchildren get to enjoy a clean healthy Rideau River as our legacy to them all.

Funding is limited and provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Projects completed prior to contacting RVCA will not be eligible for funding. 

Eligible Landowners

• Farmers who have completed a 3rd edition or newer Environmental Farm Plan (EFP)
• Rural non-farmers who have completed a Healthy Home Guide, may be eligible for funding
• The Healthy Home Guide will be provided uring site visits

Applicants must:

• Apply prior to starting work on your project
• Obtain all necessary permits, approvals, and meet all legal requirements
• Complete a 3rd or 4th Edition Environmental Farm Plan (farm projects), or Healthy Home Guidebook (non-farm projects). 

What is generally eligible for funding?

• Permit / approval costs
• Purchased materials and supplies
• Contract labour and professional fees

If you are interested in applying for a grant, please contact the RVCA AT 613-692-3571 ext. 1136 to register your information and confirm eligibility

Download your application form here.

Do you have more questions about the RVRCWP?: Click here to view our FAQs (frequently asked questions).

RVRCWP Eligible Project Categories

 *Available only to farmers with an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP)

Please note: program grant rates may change without notice or be adjusted by the Review Committee.

BEFORE YOU COMPLETE YOUR PROJECT, contact RVCA for program information. 

• Submit completed application to: 
  Rural Clean Water Program,
  Box 599, 3889 Rideau Valley Dr.,
  Manotick, ON K4M 1A5 or
• Be sure to attach your estimates/quotes and any necessary permits
• A site representative will visit your property
• Project is reviewed by our Review Committee
• Project proceeds if approved
• Payment issued upon completion of work, inspection by site representative and submission of all permits, approvals and proof of payment

Download your application form here

Additional Links 

• Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority
• South Nation Conservation
• OSCIA - EFP Workshop
• Ontario Directory of Licensed Well Contractors

Foley Mountain Forest School offers an alternative education in which children spend most of their time outside, playing and learning through experiential, hands-on activities that promote curiosity in an active and authentic learning environment. Students will receive the benefits of repeated and regular visits to a natural area, in a play and inquiry-based education setting.

Tuition subsidies for the forest school program may be available for those who qualify. Please contact for more details.

Location: Foley Mountain Lane, Westport, ON — Google map

Programs that we offer:

• Family Forest School
• Kindergarten for children aged 4-5
• School age for children aged 6-12
• Family drop-in programs for all ages

PLEASE NOTE — We will consider offering additional program days if there is demand!

PLEASE READ our Forest School Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

NEW PROGRAM – Family Forest School

Is your child a bit too young to join in our independent programs or are you just looking to be a part of their forest school experience? Well, this new program may be the perfect fit for you!

• The same play based, child centred learning environment as our other forest school programs. Enjoy play, stories, snack time, forest adventures, and more!
• A new forest school program for children aged 2-5 (younger or slightly older siblings are welcome to tag along) where a parent or guardian stays with the child during the program.
• Tuesdays from 9:30am – 11:30am offered in the same fall, winter, and spring sessions as our other programs. Registration is for the whole session.
• Supported by one of our skilled and experienced forest school educators.
• Cost per family is $18/morning plus HST.

To Register

Please complete the registration request form to be added to our registration list. Upon completion of the form, we will send you a registration package, including the program handbook and other necessary documents. PLEASE NOTE that filling out this form does not necessarily guarantee a space in the program but begins the registration process.

Kindergarten Program 

• Children ages 4-5 years
• Program runs from 9am – 12pm
• Cost per child is $30/morning plus HST. All prices below include HST.
• Participants must be able to use the toilet independently
• Please check out our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

To Register

Please complete the registration request form to be added to our registration list.  Upon completion of the form, we will send you a registration package, including the program handbook and other necessary documents. PLEASE NOTE that filling out this form does not necessarily guarantee a space in the program but begins the registration process.

School Age Program

• For children aged 6–12
• Cost per child is $55/full day or $30/half day plus HST. All prices below include HST.

To Register

Please complete the registration request form to be added to our registration list.  Upon completion of the form, we will send you a registration package, including the program handbook and other necessary documents. PLEASE NOTE that filling out this form does not necessarily guarantee a space in the program but begins the registration process.

Forest School FREE Family Drop In Programs 

Pack up the family and head down to Foley Mountain Conservation Area to explore, adventure, play, and learn in the forest! Thanks to the Township of Rideau Lakes, we are offering FREE family drop-in program. 

2024 Drop In Programs

• April 20, from 10-11:30 am  Waitlist Only
• May 18, from 10-11:30 am
• June 15, from 10-11:30 am
• July 20, from 10-11:30 am
• August 17, from 10-11:30 am
• September 21, from 10-11:30 am
• October 19, from 10-11:30 am
• November 16, from 10-11:30 am
• December 21, from 10-11:30 am

General Information: 

• All ages of children welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult
• PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED and group size will be limited - please complete the registration request form to pre-register or be added to the waitlist.  
• FREE of cost

Our Community Partners

EASTERN ONTARIO, June 6, 2018: The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) is pleased to report that 275,000 healthy native tree seedlings have been planted in the Rideau Valley this spring. These young trees add to the total as RVCA and its planting partners strive to plant a total of 6.5 million trees by 2020. 

Tree planting is one of the most practical ways to take care of our watershed and the wider environment. RVCA’s reforestation programs are a great way for landowners to improve their property by:

• Increasing forest cover
• Improving wildlife habitat
• Increasing biodiversity
• Protecting soil from erosion
• Improving water quality and water conservation and so much more!

The RVCA offers a full-service reforestation program for landowners interested in having one acre or more (0.4 hectares) planted in trees. The land must be suitable for tree planting and the landowner must be willing to plant 1,000 trees or more. The RVCA’s full-service program includes free site visits with forestry experts, development of planting plans, site preparation, tree planting operations, follow-up assessments and operations to ensure long-term tree establishment. “Our program is focused on increasing forest cover throughout our watershed. So much of the land is privately owned so we work with local landowners to provide them with easy and affordable tree planting services,” said Scott Danford, RVCA Forestry Manager.  

Typical costs for the full-service tree-planting program are $0.15/tree ($120/acre). The RVCA and its planting partners cover all additional costs. “We have numerous community-minded partners who support our tree planting program and help reduce the costs for landowners,” said Scott Danford. Planting partners include the City of Ottawa, Forests Ontario, Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority, Eastern Ontario Model Forest, Pratt & Whitney Canada, McGarry Funeral Homes, Newcap LiVE 88.5, Carleton Refrigeration, Pratt & Whitney Canada and the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation.

Trees are vital for a healthy and sustainable future; start planning now for planting next spring. If you would like to plant trees or to get more information call Scott Danford at 613-692-3571 or 1-800-267-3504 ext. 1175 or visit www.rvca.ca.