South Nation

South Nation Conservation’s groundbreaking Clean Water Program is entering its 20th year of partnering with landowners in the watershed to reduce contaminants entering its rivers and streams.

“It’s one of the longest running programs of its type in Ontario,” said Ronda Boutz, SNC Team Lead, Communications and Outreach, who managed the CWP for many years.

“Other jurisdictions have used it as a model when introducing similar programs intended to work in a cooperative way with landowners and other stakeholders.”

South Nation Conservation recently allocated a total of $1,500 in River Grants to five Eastern Ontario community projects deemed to meet the criteria of promoting responsible recreational use of the South Nation, St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers and their tributaries within the watershed.

The projects share several attributes in common, notably that they draw visitors to the riverside, teach them about the 4000 square-km South Nation watershed, and raise funds for worthy local causes.

Geocachers of Eastern Ontario and South Nation Conservation are inviting members of the general public to join forces with local and area geocachers on Saturday April 27 for a major clean-up in and around Greely.

It’ll be a prime opportunity to see the geocachers in action when they team up with SNC to present SNCITO4 (South Nation Cache In/Trash Out) at Shield’s Creek Park in Greely. Three previous SNCITOs were held at Cass Bridge Conservation Area (Winchester Springs), Jessup’s Falls Conservation Area (Plantagenet), and High Falls Conservation Area (Casselman).

South Nation Conservation, South Dundas Township and the DIAMONDS Conservation Land Trust are hosting a public meeting April 9 to discuss upgrades at Two Creeks Forest Conservation Area located in South Dundas.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the South Dundas municipal hall in Williamsburg.

SNC has received $25,000 through the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund to cover the cost of the project that’ll enhance 4.5 km of existing trail and promote natural heritage features contributing to a healthy Great Lakes Basin.

This Friday, March 22nd, as you shower, do laundry, or just enjoy a glass of cold water, take a moment to consider how fortunate we are to have an ample supply of safe, clean water.

That’s the objective of World Water Day – a day observed worldwide each year to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and to promote sustainable management of freshwater resources.

The warmer temperatures and rainfall in March may be a sign of better weather to come, but they also bring potentially dangerous conditions near rivers and streams, and the possibility of flooding.

Although the snow pack is melting slowly in the South Nation Watershed, Environment Canada is forecasting high temperatures and about 10 mm of rain throughout the watershed in the next couple of days. The Bear Brook area has a higher snow pack and there might be some flooding in the low lying areas due to this forecasted rain.

With clear-cutting of trees becoming more widespread to make way for agricultural crops and residential development, South Nation Conservation has been urging owners to consider the value of their woodlots before removing them.

Now SNC is getting some help from its friends in conservation and reforestation at the United Counties of Prescott and Russell.

UCPR is partnering with SNC in promoting sustainable woodlot management by contributing $25,000 to the authority’s popular free advisory service for owners of tree stands throughout the region.

With the 2013 ice fishing season coming to a close across Eastern Ontario in March, South Nation Conservation is reminding enthusiasts to clean up when they remove huts or say goodbye to their favourite winter spots to drop a line.

All huts out on frozen bodies of water in the region – which were required to be registered with the Ministry of Natural Resources and display their numbers outside – must be removed by March 15. Abandoned huts can end up cluttering waterways when the ice thaws, an offence under the Public Lands Act.

The popular South Nation/Delta Waterfowl Banquet is returning March 2nd for a fifth year to Finch Community Centre, the objective being to raise funds to promote responsible hunting and conservation in the 4,000 square-km South Nation River watershed.

Delta Waterfowl is a North America-wide organization dedicated to informed, controlled hunting and to conserving wetlands for breeding. In partnership with South Nation Conservation, Delta is working to gain new members, said banquet organizer Ryan Robson.

The South Nation Conservation board of directors and staff wish to express their sympathy to the St. Albert Cheese Factory cooperative and residents of the village following the devastating fire Feb. 3 at the century-old business.

The regional milk processing plant and cultural institution employing more than 100 area residents was completely destroyed. Down but far from out, co-op board members and senior staff are already discussing rebuilding plans.