South Nation

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.”

After the Canada Day fireworks and big name entertainment have faded away, residents of the South Nation Conservation watershed might be looking for something to do that’s more soothing, more rural and traditional.

Then consider McIntosh Park Family Day and Strawberry Social where all are invited to laze away the afternoon from 1-3 p.m., July 6. Strawberry shortcake and beverages will be offered along with music and games for children.

The park is located at the corner of County Road 12 and Cockburn Street in Berwick and includes a free public parking lot.

Scenic Jessup’s Falls Conservation Area west of Plantagenet will be the site of South Nation Conservation’s 6^th annual free Youth Fishing Camp July 8-10.

A green alternative to combatting algae growth in a La Nation’s storm water treatment pond at Limoges has been deployed by South Nation Conservation.

The pond has been outfitted with “floating wetlands” that mimic nature in delivering similar water quality improvements, explained Jason Symington, SNC Environmental Technologist.

The SNC received a donation from Hydro One through their forestry services.This donation was used to reforest areas in our watershed to compensate for the large quantity of trees Hydro One must cut down accross province for utility purposes. Hydro One has since partnered with the SNC to plant a total of 7,000 saplings in La Nation, North Grenville and North Glengarry. These saplings were a mix of Sugar Maple, Oak, White Spruce, and White Pine. 

On June 13, members from RBC Embrun participated in the Stream Watch Program, It was a wet day in Embrun, but volunteers were able to sample a section of the stream and record information regarding physical, chemical and biological aspects of the stream, which provide insight into water quality and overall stream health. The Stream Watch Program is a volunteer driven program that assists SNC with monitoring local streams and completing habitat restoration projects. For more information on the Stream Watch Program and to volunteer, please contact Philip Duncan.

RBC Foundation presented SNC with a cheque for $78,650 for the Stream Watch Program. Funding is provided through the RBC Blue Water Project – Leadership Grants, to establish a volunteer driven program to assist SNC with monitoring local streams and completing habitat restoration projects. SNC and RBC celebrated RBC Blue Water Day with a streambank cleanup along Findlay Creek in south Ottawa.