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CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19): UPDATES TO SNC OPERATIONS


South Nation Conservation (SNC) is committed to supporting municipalities, partners and people as the Coronavirus Pandemic continues.

While the situation continues to change, our top priority remains the health, safety, and well-being of our staff, board, volunteers, and members of the public who interact with us.

We continue to follow the advice of public health authorities and have limited non-essential activities, travel, meetings, and public use of our facilities and programs where appropriate.  

SNC Administrative Office is open to visitors and guests – no appointment is necessary. You may continue to  phone or email to connect with SNC staff virtually if preferred. Our dropbox remains available for anyone wishing to drop off paperwork. For more information: info@nation.on.ca

Updates to our operations and business continuity planning will be posted on this page below, including:

  • Public Meetings
  • Programs and Services
  • Conservation Areas Open
  • Administrative Office and SNC Staff
  • Community Resources and Contact Info

 Stay up to date by subscribing to our newsletter: www.nation.on.ca/subscribe 

 PUBLIC MEETINGS

Future essential public meetings will be hosted through online platforms: updates are posted on SNC's Event Calendar Online. SNC’s Meeting Rooms are not available for community bookings at this time. 

Please note: the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks directed Conservation Authorities to amend their administrative by-laws to allow for virtual meetings, including teleconference.


PUBLIC CONSERVATION AREAS AND BOAT LAUNCHES

Residents can get outdoors and take advantage of select Conservation Area trails that remain open and groomed weekly by SNC for winter use, including:

• W.E Burton Conservation Area in Russell
• J. Henry Tweed Conservation Area in Russell
• Two Creeks Forest Conservation Area in Morrisburg
• Robert Graham Forest Conservation Area in Brinston
• Warwick Forest Conservation Area in Berwick
• Oschmann Forest Conservation Area in Ormond

SNC also has municipal agreements in place to groom other trails and parks this winter:
• Nokomis Park in Limoges
• Russell Recreational Trail

SNC reminds users that distancing directives must continue to be followed: please keep your pets on leash, do not litter, and do not congregate on trails, fishing areas, parking lots or docks. Please be respectful and courteous to other visitors.


PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Education and Outreach
SNC’s Maple Education Program has been cancelled for 2022: the Oschmann Forest is open so that people may visit our maple woodlot and experience a self-guided tour (interpretive signs on site). 

SNC created online Maple Education Videos to deliver the program online, videos can be accessed here.

Most in-person outreach activites have been postponed, including the Stream of Dreams Program.

SNC has been working with school boards to develop virtual field trip alternatives. Please contact us if you are an educator looking for more information on virtual learning opportunities with SNC.

Flood Forecasting Program and Dam Operations Continue 
Regular updates are available online and on social media

Tree Planting Program
SNC will be planting over 200,000 trees in 2022; tree delivery dates will be communicated directly with landowners. 

Community Tree Giveaway activities are returning in spring 2022 and will continue to be offered by online reservation only.

All trees for 2022 have been allocated. Start planning for the 2023 season today.

Clean Water Programs
Applications for the Clean Water Program and the Ottawa Rural Clean Water Program are being accepted. Program representatives will contact applicants directly by phone.

City of Ottawa Ash Tree Replacement Program
SNC is accepting applications for the 2022 Ash Tree Replacement Program. 

Woodlot Advisory Service
The Woodlot Advisory Service program continues to be offered and site visits can be scheduled at no-cost throughout the United Counties of SDG and Prescott-Russell.

Approvals and Development Review Programs
(CA Regulations, Municipal Plan Review, Drinking Water Source Protection, Septic Inspections)

SNC has been making every effort to maintain and exceed planning and permit review timelines throughout the pandemic.

 


ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE AND STAFF

Our offices are fully open to visitors and guests. If desired, people may still continue to drop off paperwork in our drop box located outside our office, or to contact our staff by phone (613-984-2948) or by email (nation.on.ca/contact).

We are not experiencing any service disruptions and are fully operational. Our teams have access to online collaboration tools and file servers through a secure VPN service. Field operations continue and all staff have access to emails and can answer phone calls.

SNC is monitoring the pandemic and response closely and will provide updates on changes to operations and business continuity as they become available. Your patience, support and cooperation are appreciated.


COMMUNITY RESOURCES

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SNC OPERATIONS PLEASE CONTACT
John Mesman, Lead, Conservation Lands and Community Outreach
jmesman@nation.on.ca
613-984-2948