Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA)

Water, Water, Everywhere at Ardagh Bluffs Public School On Friday, October 11th, 2024 the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority’s Environmental Education program, in concert with the Rotary Club of Barrie and Georgian Bay Forever, provided Grade 5 students from Ardagh Bluffs Public School a full day of water-quality education. Over 100 students engaged in water-focused activities and learned about microplastics and bioaccumulation in our ecosystems and were able to sift through soils found along waterways. Then using microscopes, they discovered any fragments of plastic that were in our environment. Discussions were made about how to make better choices for the environment instead of using so much plastic. Students used a watershed model of a typical town, known as an ‘Enviroscape’. With the guidance of an NVCA educator, students learned (using coloured drink crystals and cocoa) how any town can be impacted through the various activities’ humans do, which can have an effect on the environment. After discussing the negative impacts, focus was turned to the positive techniques that could be put in place within our communities to improve local water quality. Students went out with Georgian Bay Forever and Rotary Club of Barrie members to paint yellow fish at each storm drain near the school, with the words “Rain Only”, which indicate that only precipitation should go down a city storm drain. This is because storm water does not go to a sanitation plant; it goes untreated to where fish live. So, oils, chemicals, and garbage should stay out of our streets. Part of this activity included community education, as students also placed a paper yellow fish flyer on the door handles of houses. After one hour of programming, each class rotated to a different activity, so that everyone could experience each aspect of water-quality education and communication. As a reward for the Grade 5 students’ hard work, Rotary provided a pizza lunch. The students provided feedback after their sessions: “I learned that even soap is pollution when it goes in the water!” “Stuff that goes into the storm drains does not get cleaned.” “The next time my neighbour is washing their car in their driveway, I’m not going to yell at them, but let them know they don’t have to use so much soap!” “I will take a reusable water bottle with me instead of buying bottle water” “I won’t litter.” “I won’t use so much soap when I am washing the car with my parents.” “I hope that somebody is working on this and figures it out.” This educational day was initiated by David McCullough from the Rotary Club of Barrie, and it was funded by Georgian Bay Forever. Trout Unlimited developed the Yellow Fish Road Program, and microplastics programming was developed by the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority. Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority would like to thank Georgian Bay Forever for supporting this program, and the Rotary Club of Barrie for initiating it!

Got Hazardous Waste? Drop It Off at the Depot! Leftover paint, grease and other chemicals can pollute our drinking water. So don’t pour them down the drain! Take them to your local drop-off depot for safe disposal. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3vKnv3r #SourceWaterON #WaterWednesdays #DrinkingWaterSources

Looking for an intimate venue to host your wedding? Want to spend your big day surrounded by the beauty of nature? The Tiffin Centre for Conservation is your wedding destination for nature lovers. Whether you’re looking to be surrounded by trees when you say “I do” or tie the knot on the water, Tiffin has you covered. Nestled in over 300 acres of forests and featuring picturesque ponds, there’s a backdrop for every kind of couple, in every season. Book your venue tour today and see why you’ll say “Yes!” all over again. https://lnkd.in/g_C9n-uy Photo Credit: Wander North Photography

Did you know that it’s easier than ever to find out if your property is in an NVCA regulated area? By using our Interactive Data Viewer, finding your property is fast and easy. Still not sure? Give us a call and we’ll be happy to help look up your property for you! https://lnkd.in/giQfAhGV

Volunteers Needed! With sun in the forecast and temperatures in the low 20s this weekend, NVCA is looking for more volunteers to participate in the final TD Tree Days event we're hosting this year! Bring a friend and spend some time in nature while you help us plant native trees and shrubs along the Ganaraska Trail in Creemore on Saturday, October 19. Be part of more than 100 volunteers that have helped NVCA's TD Tree Day events be a resounding success this year. Register to save your spot using the link below. We'll see you there! https://lnkd.in/ghwPcb3u

Winter weather is just around the corner. Make sure you’re cozy and warm with your Tiffin badged hoodie! It’s the perfect apparel to keep you warm while supporting NVCA’s conservation efforts. Get yours today from the NVCA online store: https://lnkd.in/gAmdDh7Y

Looking for a spot to see the fall colours this weekend? Check out the Petun Conservation Area. Named for the indigenous people that inhabited the land during the early 1600s, Petun is situated on one of the highest elevations of the Niagara Escarpment. If you’re looking for a full day of hiking, you can pick up the Bruce Trail from here as well!

Looking for something to do this weekend? NVCA has two great tree planting opportunities for you to choose from this Saturday, October 19! South Simcoe Streams Network will be planting in Adjala-Tosorontio just south-west of Alliston on the 25th Sideroad. Volunteers will be planting native trees and shrubs along the newly restored Sheldon Creek. The planting event runs from 9am – noon and gives volunteers a chance to see the restoration work NVCA has been doing along Sheldon Creek. Interested joining this event? Please pre-register at: https://lnkd.in/g88R9FDe The second opportunity is the last of this year’s TD Tree Days events hosted by NVCA. Come join us as we plant trees along the Ganaraska Trail near Creemore! Register to join this TD Tree Days volunteer event here: https://lnkd.in/ghwPcb3u

Clear leaves and debris from storm drains to prevent freezing and improve drainage. To protect our waterways and drinking water sources never put salt on storm drains. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4e780bP #SourceWaterON #WaterWednesdays #DrinkingWaterSources

We're hiring an Engineering Technologist! This position is responsible for reviewing and commenting on development applications with a focus on water resources engineering. For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/gcWpmE-k