South Nation

As of October 9^th, 2020, South Nation Conservation (SNC) has terminated Level I (minor) low water conditions for the Upper South Nation Subwatershed region. This area extends from the South Nation River headwaters in the Augusta Township to the Municipality of Casselman.

Ground and surface water levels across the watershed have returned to normal for this time of year thanks to consistent precipitation over the past couple of weeks in Eastern Ontario. The short-term weather forecast is also calling for more rain in the coming days.

Forests are important natural resources, vital to our communities and the environment. They provide important environmental, economic, social and cultural benefits - and they're worth conserving, restoring and managing. 

Sustainable forest management helps to maintain the long-term health of forests while providing benefits to the environment, surrounding ecosystems, wildlife, and residents.

On September 23^rd, over 250 culturally significant native trees were planted on the traditional territories of the Algonquin and Mohawk First Nations in Shanly, Ontario to form “The Healing Place”.

Twenty-five community and First Nations partners gathered to plant the trees, and learn and share traditional knowledge, mark a step towards cross-cultural dialogue, and create and maintain a healing space.

South Nation Conservation (SNC) will be holding an online silent art auction called “Art for Trees” in October to help raise funds for local tree planting.

Over a dozen pieces of environmental-themed artwork have been donated by local artists for the auction, including (but not limited to) the works of Carrie Keller of Winchester, Carey’s Carving in Russell, Laura Stevens of Finch, Aleta Karstad of North Grenville, Paul Schibli of Russell, Ina Schneider of Cornwall, and the late artist and entertainer Ronald Leonard of Toronto.

Board Members appointed by South Nation Conservation’s (SNC) 16 member municipalities were confirmed at the Authority’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, September 17^th, 2020.

George Darouze, Councillor for the City of Ottawa’s Osgoode Ward, was elected the new Chair. Pierre Leroux, Mayor of Russell Township, was elected Vice-Chair, and Bill Smirle of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry was confirmed as Past Chair.

The South Nation Conservation (SNC) Water Response Team has terminated Level I (minor) low water conditions for the Lower South Nation River, Bear Brook, and Castor River Subwatersheds in SNC’s watershed jurisdiction.

Throughout the past several weeks, Eastern Ontario has received average or above average precipitation for this time of year. This has helped to replenish local watercourses and has returned most stream flows within the three subwatershed regions to normal.

As fall approaches, it is a special time for many residents in the area. The crisp cool air brings a change in the seasons and summer gives way to autumn, and hunting season.

South Nation Conservation (SNC) owns and manages over 13,000 acres of community forests, wetlands, and grasslands across its 4,441 square-kilometre watershed jurisdiction in Eastern Ontario; over 8,500 acres of which are accessible for hunting with permission from SNC.

South Nation Conservation (SNC) is reminding property owners from across its 4,441 square-kilometer watershed jurisdiction in Eastern Ontario that now is the time to plan for your spring 2021 tree planting projects!

SNC is currently booking site visits and accepting orders for locally sourced native trees and shrubs offered at reduced rates through a variety of planting programs administered by the Conservation Authority.

The South Nation Conservation (SNC) Water Response Team has downgraded the Lower South Nation, Bear Brook and Castor River Subwatersheds to Level I (minor) low water conditions effective August 13, 2020.

In the past couple of weeks Eastern Ontario has received significant rainfall, bringing some relief to drought conditions and helping to replenish ground and surface water across the three subwatersheds.

The Upper South Nation Subwatershed continues to experience Level II (moderate) low water conditions due to persistent hot and dry weather in the region.

As the COVID-19 Pandemic forced many people to stay home and cancel their summer plans, South Nation Conservation’s (SNC) public Conservation Areas across Eastern Ontario are serving as a refuge for many seeking to get out of the house and explore their local environment.

While many agencies closed their parks, trails, and public forests, SNC worked with its member municipalities and local health units to keep as many sites open as possible throughout the spring, and finally safely opening all of its seasonal parks on May 19, 2020.