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 Sept. 24, rain or shine. The bus departs SNC offices in Finch at 8 a.m., returning at 4 p.m.
A major corporate contributor to South Nation Conservation’s Clean Water Program (CWP), for the past 15 years, Parmalat Canada has come through with another $5,000 donation to the ongoing effort.
Appropriately, the latest cheque was presented to the Clean Water Committee (CWC) during a meeting September 9 at the company’s cold storage facility in Winchester. Committee chair Jackie Pemberton, a former Parmalat employee, thanked the milk processor for its ongoing generosity now totalling $290,000.
In a decision considered a milestone by South Nation Conservation, a Casselman based Scouting group has changed its name to reflect its connection to the natural environment.
As part of a restructuring and amalgamation effort, Casselman district Scouts will now be known as Les Scouts de la 37e du bassin versant de la Nation Sud… Scouts of the 37th of the South Nation Watershed.
One of the surprising things to many people about the 4,000 square-km South Nation River watershed is the number of fish species calling it home.
In recent years, more than 50 species have been identified in the South Nation and its tributaries extending from the St. Lawrence Seaway at Prescott to the Ottawa River at Plantagenet.
“People are fooled because many of the streams within the watershed are shallow and murky,” said South Nation Conservation Resource Technician Ryan Robson. “But that doesn’t mean they don’t support aquatic life and they do in abundance.”
Thanks to a partnership between South Nation Conservation and the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry County Library, this summer youngsters across the region have been discovering how to protect turtles at risk, how bugs contribute to the ecosystem, and the surprising variety of the local fishery.
To date, some 165 students have benefited from the library presentations in branches from Morrisburg to Maxville. SNC summer students have presented the programs while the branches supplied craft materials.
South Nation Conservation is reminding hunters they have until September 1st to take advantage of discounted fees for hunting on SNC lands. From January 1st to August 31st the fee is $30; September 1st the fee is set at $50.
“The two-tiered fee structure better reflects the demand on staff according to the time of year,” said Chris Craig, SNC Senior Forestry Technician. “It’s in the hunters’ best interest to get the letter of permission before September 1st to save some money.”
Philip Duncan is completing third year of the Fish and Wildlife Technician program at Sir Sandford Fleming College in Lindsay and will graduate in April.
After that, Philip plans to continue his studies in biology at Trent University. In the meantime, he’s part of the summer staff at South Nation Conservation, exactly the type of recruit that fills the bill.
“Our hires don’t have to be in conservation related fields but it helps,” explains Ronda Boutz, SNC Team Lead, Communications and Outreach.
One of the National Capital area’s newest and top ranked public courses has been selected as the site for the 2013 South Nation Conservation fundraising golf tournament.
Participants will tee off at Kemptville’s eQuinelle Golf Club Aug. 29, with proceeds of the day going to SNC environmental monitoring programs.
“With so many fine courses to choose from, we like to move the tournament every year to different Municipalities within the South Nation jurisdiction extending from rural south Ottawa to the St. Lawrence Seaway,” explained event coordinator Allison VanLoon.
The faded black and white cover photo of three young lads holding long bamboo fishing poles sets the tone of “Our Watershed, Our Heritage”, a collection of stories and reminiscences of life along the South Nation River and its tributaries.
The 136-page tome was produced by South Nation Conservation to celebrate its 65th anniversary. The milestone occurred last year, but collecting the stories, editing, design, layout and publishing spilled into 2013, said Ronda Boutz, SNC Team Leader, Communications and Outreach.
Scenic Cass Bridge Conservation Area south of Winchester will be the site of South Nation Conservation’s 5th annual free Youth Fishing Camp July 9-11.
“Cass Bridge along the South Nation River has the look and feel of a classic summer fishing hole. It’s a great place for kids to laze away some summer days,” said SNC Fisheries Technician Karen Paquette.
But 12 participants aged 10-15 will have to be on their toes too. Using provided gear, they’ll learn the rules, where to drop a line, selecting equipment, baiting – including fly tying - and casting.
