Foleys Spy RockThe Rideau Valley is a hotbed of active, committed environmental volunteers working quietly and consistently to maintain the health of our valuable local water resources. The number of volunteer groups is large ranging from Environmental Clubs at several local schools to the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, one of the oldest and most respected natural science groups in Canada. In between are a host of others from families to community associations, lake associations, municipalities, the business and farming community, colleges and universities who all have active people and volunteer projects in the valley many in cooperation with established government agencies like the Conservation Authorities, the provincial Ministries and the City of Ottawa.

Four have demonstrated outstanding volunteer commitment over the years: Friends of the Tay Watershed, Friends of the Jock River, the Ottawa Flyfishers’ Society and the Rideau Roundtable. Thousands of trees and shrubs, hundreds of shoreline cleanups, and many awareness and education activities from been performed by these groups and others. In order to showcase some of these truly amazing pieces of work, the three Conservation Authorities around Ottawa have recently inaugurated the Tri-Valley Conservation Awards Gala. This major fall event will highlight and show public appreciation for the many volunteer projects which occur outside the spotlight around the watershed.

Source: Rideau Valley Conservation Authority