South Nation

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.

Agriculture and rural affairs activist Jackie Pemberton has been named Chair of South Nation Conservation’s influential Clean Water Committee, replacing Navan farmer Denis Perrault.

A Winchester area farmer, Pemberton has promoted rural environmental causes for 20 years, on boards and committees and in municipal and industrial contexts. She has been a member of the CWC for the past several years and is also a member of the regional Source Protection Committee.

ANNUAL MCINTOSH GOLF TOURNAMENT TEES OFF JUNE 24

Finch, Ontario – Today, Shell Canada will award $1 million to Canadian environmental projects, chosen by its customers. Through the Shell FuellingChange™ Program customers are invited to make any purchases at Shell service stations throughout Canada, collect Shell purchase receipts with voting codes, and vote for their favourite environmental projects on FuellingChange.com. To date, 8.4 million votes have been cast by customers!

The United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) and the City of Clarence-Rockland have partnered with South Nation Conservation, the Ontario Geological Survey, and the University of Ottawa to study groundwater in the City of Clarence-Rockland.

The purpose of the study is to develop maps of expected groundwater quantity and quality. The maps will help to assess the development potential of proposed developments where wells are required as a water supply. This study will serve as a model for similar mapping studies across the rest of UCPR.

It’s the best deal around for a sightseeing tour of part of Eastern Ontario that’s also an environmental learning experience.

It’s South Nation Conservation’s 6th annual Forestry Bus Tour and it’s absolutely free including lunch. The tour departs SNC offices in Finch June 12 at 8 a.m., returning at 4:30 p.m.

Participants travel in style on a comfortable coach rather than a school bus. Between full stops, points of interest are described.

With construction coordinated by South Nation Conservation, a structured trail through a portion of one of Ottawa’s natural gems will be officially opened May 25.

A ribbon-cutting celebrating Findlay Creek Boardwalk will get underway at 1 p.m. with several dignitaries participating. Light refreshments will be served followed by an interpretive tour along the new gift to local residents.