Our Trent Hills Community

The Campbellford/Seymour Community Foundation is pleased to connect you to the outstanding local organizations who serve our community and who provide opportunities for socialization and well-being through their ongoing programs.

The Mary West Nature Reserve, is home to towering white pines, spring peepers, and the at-risk eastern wood pewee. Donated to the NCC through the estate of Mary West in 1991, the property protects wetlands and forests in the Trout Creek and Trent River watersheds. The reserve is an important part of the local conservation network, helping to provide carbon storage, flood mitigation and clean drinking water to the local community.

www.natureconservancy.ca

The Seymour Conservation Area was opened in 1973 and has a few unique features such as an Oak Alvar Savannah and a quarry. There are 6.5km of trails for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing, a picnic shelter and a privy. Lower Trent Conservation was formed in 1968 to protect, restore and manage water and other natural resources within the watershed region.

www.ltc.on.ca

Crowe Bridge Park is a beautiful little conservation area with small cascading waterfalls that create an idyllic swimming spot at the Weir Dam. The Crowe River flows over the rocks, creating a shallow swimming hole that is perfect for both kids and adults. Not only a great swimming destination, but the park also has plenty of hiking trails, and picnic spots. www.crowevalley.com/crowe-bridge/

By Janette Loveys Smith

Each year, Otonabee Conservation partners with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to offer the Spring Water Awareness Program (SWAP) to local schools. The program helps children understand and recognize the dangers around creeks, streams, and rivers during the spring. The spring melt, also called the spring freshet, occurs this time of year when temperatures increase, melting snow and ice, causing water volume and flows to increase in local watercourses. At this time of year, it is important to remind children to STAY CLEAR AND STAY SAFE around dams, hydroelectric stations, and waterways. Otonabee Conservation staff will be delivering the SWAP program to many local schools over the next several weeks and digital SWAP Activity Book- lets are available for parents to download from our website to share with their children. The 11-page booklet includes colouring sheets, activities, and worksheets that help children to understand the rules for being safe around watercourses.

The OPG Kid’s Guide to Staying Clear and Staying Safe is also available for download.

“Fast flowing, cold, deep water, slippery streambanks and unsafe ice present real dangers for everyone this time of year,” shares Meredith Carter, Manager of Watershed Management Programs at Otonabee Conservation, “We would like parents to talk with their children about avoiding watercourses this time of year, especially if they are outdoors playing during the March Break.” Children and youth should also be reminded to obey all cau- tionary signs around waterways and dams, and stay safe by playing with a friend, letting an adult know where they are going and when they will return, and dressing properly for the weather.

For further resources, including and a short video by OPG, please visit otonabeeconservation.com

Resourcces: www.otonabeeconservation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/OPGwatersafekids_eng_Booklet.pdf