2022 Annual Report highlights RVCA successes across the watershed

New accessible infrastructure, expanded septic services, a new clean water program and the planting of their seven millionth tree: the Rideau

Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) accomplished all this and more in 2022.

The RVCA provides conservation-led programs and services based on a watershed-wide model serving 18 member municipalities along the Rideau River and its tributaries. Their wide-ranging programs cover a huge geographic area of more than 4,000 km2, from Central Frontenac to MerrickvilleWolford and downriver to the City of Ottawa.

Through science, stewardship and education, the RVCA strives to manage local natural resources sustainably to ensure a healthy watershed for the future.

The newly-released 2022 annual report highlights RVCA’s many accomplishments over the year, including:

- 317,000 people visited RVCA conservation areas in 2022 (up from 200,000 annually pre-pandemic)

- 6,783 students participated in our outdoor education programs at Baxter and Foley Mountain Conservation Areas

- 2 accessible bridge projects begun at our most popular conservation areas (1 each at Baxter and Chapman Mills conservation areas)

- 239,595 trees planted (7 million since 1984)

- 10,127 native trees and shrubs planted on 69 waterfront properties

- 3,687m2 of invasive species removed during 12 volunteer removal events

- 1,392 Planning Act applications reviewed

- 353 Section 28 applications processed under the Conservation Authorities Act

- 734 septic system ap- plications processed for new or replacement septic systems across nine municipalities

- 117 sites sampled for water quality on lakes, rivers and major tributaries

- 196 Clean Water Projects completed in partnership with landowners

- 2,050 healthy butternut seedlings distributed to help replace dead and dying butternut trees in Eastern Ontario

- 2 wetland restoration projects continued at the Stillwater Wetland Complex (Nepean) and the Hutton Creek Marsh Wetland (Lombardy)

Staff also met strict approval and customer service goals, issuing 99% of Section 28 permits within provincial timelines and issuing most septic per- mits within half the provincial timelines.

“Staff work tirelessly to ensure the watershed is healthy and thriving for all who call it home,” said Sommer Casgrain-Robertson, RVCA General Manager. “We are extremely proud of our municipallysupported programs that look to build resilient communities in the face of climate change and population growth.”

The RVCA extended their thanks to their member municipalities, partners and volunteers who made 2022 such a success.

Download the RVCA’s 2022 Annual Report at www.rvca.ca or call 613692-3571 or 1-800-2673504 to request a hard copy.