South Nation

While the dog days of summer are behind us, there are still great opportunities to enjoy the outdoors this fall and winter!

South Nation Conservation (SNC) owns and manages over 12,000 acres of public natural space, including a network of 14 day-use Conservation Areas accessible free of charge.

“Although some of the day-use parks are being closed for winter, we offer 30 km of groomed trails for your winter enjoyment,” said Philip Duncan, SNC Property and Approvals Assistant. 

At SNC, interesting news articles and stories involving the South Nation watershed, and the surrouding community are collected from local newspapers and outlets from across Eastern Ontario. We have compiled and attached articles pertaining to forestry and forest cover from 2013 onwards.  

With fall upon us, it’s time to plan your yard beautification projects for next year.  South Nation Conservation (SNC) is now accepting tree orders for 2017.

Through SNC, property owners can purchase a selection of seedlings and more mature trees to beautify their properties and at the same time enhance wildlife habitat, provide shade, and help reduce erosion.

Drought conditions continue in the South Nation Conservation (SNC) jurisdiction.  SNC’s Water Response Team met on October 12, 2016 and decided to remain in a severe (Level 3) Low Water Condition for the Western part of their jurisdiction.

South Nation Conservation (SNC) has been in the business of forest management and tree planting since they were created almost 70 years ago.  SNC recently completed an intensive analysis of forest cover in their jurisdiction in Eastern Ontario, which revealed an alarming average of 1 million trees being lost per year.

SNC has planted an impressive 2.8 million trees since 1990 and manages 20,000 acres of forested land, including land owned by the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry; however, additional efforts are required to offset the current annual tree loss.

South Nation Conservation’s (SNC) Water Response Team has identified a third area in the western part of SNC’s Jurisdiction that is in a severe (Level 3) drought condition.

The Bearbrook subwatershed, Upper South Nation River (Spencerville) subwatershed and now the Castor River Subwatershed are in a severe drought condition. Despite recent rainfalls, streamflows in these areas remain below 30% of normal summer flows.

As of October 7, 2016, South Nation Conservation’s (SNC) daily hours of operation will return to 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at their office in Finch.

For the third year in a row, SNC offered extended service hours, staying open until 7 p.m. on Thursday evenings between Victoria Day weekend and Thanksgiving weekend.

South Nation Conservation (SNC) is looking for volunteers to plant trees for half a day as part of a North Castor River rehabilitation project coming up this fall.

Two sub-watersheds within the SNC jurisdiction remain under level III (severe) drought conditions according to South Nation Conservation (SNC)’s Water Response Team. The rest of the jurisdiction also continues to be in level II (moderate) drought conditions as originally issued on July 8, 2016.

The Bearbrook and Upper South Nation River (Spencerville) Sub-watersheds are currently in severe drought conditions.

One of the best ways to get a close-up view of the local landscape is by coach. You don’t have to focus on the driving, you’re up high looking through expansive windows, and the seats are extra comfy.

That’s just part of the attraction of the annual South Nation Conservation fall bus tour coming up September 20^th, rain or shine. The bus departs SNC offices in Finch at 8 a.m., returning at 4 p.m.