South Nation

Dignitaries gathered Aug. 22 to welcome the newest conservation area into the South Nation Conservation fold of people-friendly parks and preserves.

It’s the Williamsburg Forest Conservation Area in the Municipality of South Dundas, on Mackenzie Road south of Chesterville. The site includes 25 acres of spruce plantations, lowland hardwoods, and provincially significant wetland over 400 acres.

South Nation Conservation in partnership with the South Nation Branch of Delta Waterfowl is proud to celebrate the annual Youth Hunt within the South Nation River Watershed, with full registration for the 7^th consecutive year!

South Nation Conservation’s River Grant Program has been steaming along this summer, dropping off five, $300 contributions to qualifying community projects.

In all, 10 projects have been approved so far this year, for a total contribution of $3,000. The purpose is to promote conservation-minded use of rivers and streams within the 4,200 square-km SNC jurisdiction.

From more than 250 entries, South Nation Conservation has been selected as one of six national projects to be highlighted in wrapping up Shell’s $2 million national Fuelling Change program.

“It’s a prestigious sort of double win, the icing on the cake of the $50,000 Shell award that our Totally Turtles program won last year,” said Karen Paquette, SNC Project Lead.

Proudly working with the Reveler family of North Stormont to protect a natural heritage treasure, South Nation Conservation celebrated the partnership July 26. 

The 99 acres of diverse habitat donated by the family to SNC is located six km west of Crysler at the corner of Concession 10-11 and Reveler Road.

Stream Watch fish sampling efforts are in full swing at SNC. The fisheries crew was out today sampling the stream in J. Henry Tweed Park. During the spring melt, adult Northern Pike will migrate up small creeks and municipal drains to spawn. The eggs hatch and the young of the year reside in these streams, in areas that provide adequate food and shelter.

South Nation Conservation is reminding hunters they have until September 1^st to take advantage of discounted fees for hunting on SNC lands.  From January 1^st to August 31^st the fee is $30; September 1^st the fee is set at $50.

“The two-tiered fee structure better reflects the demand on staff according to the time of year,” said Jim Hendry, Team Lead, Property.  “It’s in the hunters’ best interest to get the letter of permission before September 1^st to save some money.”

You are invited to join our 11th annual bus tour on Tuesday, September 23rd; leaving Finch at 8:00 a.m. This year's tour will cover the north-western region of our watershed in the City of Ottawa and the United Counties of Prescott and Russell. Come meet our staff and learn more about our programs and services.

After several years of hosting its own summer golf tournament, South Nation Conservation has altered course for 2014.

For the first time, SNC is partnering in the 3^rd annual Rural Family Connections Golf Tournament to be held at Metcalfe Golf and Country Club Aug. 13. Tee-off is at 1:15 p.m.; cost is $100 per golfer for 18 holes, including power cart, dinner and silent auction.

South Nation Conservation is pleased to employ 13 university students this summer, most of whom will gain practical experience in their fields of study along with pay cheques to help with tuition costs in the fall.

“We’re proud to be in the position of giving talented students jobs,” said SNC General Manager Dennis O’Grady, noting the program has been in place for several years.

“It’s a great way to assess future full-time employees. For some, SNC becomes their first employer after graduation.”