South Nation

Board Members appointed by South Nation Conservation’s (SNC) 16 member municipalities were confirmed at the Authority’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, March 18^th, 2021.

The 2020-2021 Board Executive was unanimously re-elected to serve for the 2021-2022 term: George Darouze, Councillor for Osgoode Ward in the City of Ottawa, was re-elected as Chair; Pierre Leroux, Mayor of Russell Township, was re-elected as Vice-Chair; and Bill Smirle of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry was again confirmed as Past-Chair.

Weather Forecast:
Environment Canada forecasts above freezing daytime temperatures this week and 5-10 mm of minor precipitation on March 10 and March 11. Nighttime temperatures are also expected to be above freezing on March 10 and March 11 before dropping to below freezing again starting March 12, which will cause the freeze-thaw cycle to resume.

Are you planning on completing a development or home improvement project this spring or summer near a river, stream, floodplain, wetland, slope, or shoreline?

To protect both people and property from natural hazards and to conserve ecologically sensitive areas, certain home improvement or construction projects within these areas may require permission from your local Conservation Authority before proceeding. This could include building a house, deck, garage, shed, dock, beach, or addition to your home.

The provincial deadline to remove ice fishing huts from waterbodies in our region is March 15^th, but South Nation Conservation (SNC) is pouring a little cold water on the date and says the sooner the better because of thinning ice conditions along the South Nation River.

SNC staff recorded ice as thin as 15 centimetres this week near some huts along the river in Casselman. The average recorded ice thickness along the rest of the river is about 19 centimetres.

Local not-for-profit community groups can now apply to receive up to $300 in funding through South Nation Conservation’s (SNC) Community Environmental Grants Program to help plant trees and shrubs, community gardens, or host a community event in 2021.

SNC’s Community Environmental Grants Program has traditionally supported community events across the Conservation Authority’s watershed jurisdiction that promote recreational use of our rivers, protect the environment, or celebrate our natural heritage. 

South Nation Conservation (SNC) is calling on interested contractors to submit tenders to undertake sustainable harvesting operations this year.

For some, the notion of sustainably harvesting trees from forests may seem like an oxymoron and could naturally give the perception of environmental damage. But sustainable tree harvesting is part of managing the long-term health of forests and harvest operations are needed to help transform plantations into healthy, naturalized forests.

Member municipalities within South Nation Conservation’s (SNC) watershed jurisdiction appoint representatives to the Board of Directors, which oversees SNC’s budget, programs, and environmental services.

The Conservation Authority’s four volunteer Standing Committees also help review programs and develop recommendations for the Board.

SNC’s environmental stewardship success depends upon local, community partnerships to build strong, sensible programs with broad-based support.

Today on Bell Let’s Talk Day, South Nation Conservation (SNC) is joining the conversation around mental health and promoting the benefits of being outdoors.

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), higher levels of depression are reported in winter months as compared to summer months. Combined with the ongoing pandemic, people may be feeling more anxious and stressed.

The United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR), as well as the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry (SDG) have partnered with South Nation Conservation (SNC) to complete a Natural Heritage Systems (NHS) study in Eastern Ontario.

An NHS is a network of interconnected natural features such as forests, rivers, wetlands, and agricultural lands. These systems are made up of core natural areas and natural linkages that support wildlife movement and natural processes necessary to maintain biological diversity, natural functions, and ecosystems.

South Nation Conservation (SNC) is reminding residents that although winter is fully upon us, you should remain cautious when venturing out onto the ice.

The Conservation Authority notes that ice formation on the South Nation River has been sporadic and several spots are not yet thick enough for use.

Ice thickness is not usually uniform and can vary depending on outside temperatures, water current and flows, and snow cover. SNC recommends that ice should be at least 15 to 20 cm thick for skating, walking, or pond hockey, and even thicker for snowmobiles.