Otonabee Conservation AGM Introduces Chair, Vice Chair and Announces Environmental Excellence Awards

During Otonabee Conservation's first Annual General Meeting since the pandemic, a new chair and vice-chair were appointed and Environmental Excellence Awards were awarded.

Otonabee Conservation CAO, Janette Loveys Smith (left), award winner, Cathy Dueck (middle) and Board of Directors Chair, Michael Metcalf (right). Photo courtest of Otonoabee Conservation.

Deputy Mayor Michael Metcalf from the Municipality of Trent Hills steps up from his role as Vice Chair into the role of Chair; stepping down after filling the role since 2022, is Deputy Mayor from the Township of Cavan-Monaghan Ryan Huntley. For 2024, the role of Vice Chair will be held by Councillor Kevin Duguay from the City of Peterborough.

“We have accomplished a lot together under Ryan Huntley’s leadership and guidance. He has inspired us to continue our good work with Otonabee Conservation,” said Metcalf, “I look forward to working together with the board and staff in 2024 to address issues and challenges across the Otonabee Region watershed.”

“A sincere thank you to Deputy Mayor Huntley, who has been a great leader for the board of directors over the last two years,” said Janette Loveys Smith, Otonabee Conservation CAO. “I have enjoyed working with him and have appreciated his guidance. I am pleased to see Deputy Mayor Metcalf and Councillor Duguay step up in the Chair and Vice Chair roles and look forward to continuing to work with our eight member municipalities.”

Each year at the AGM, Otonabee Conservation honours four watershed champions with the annual Environmental Excellence Awards. These awards recognize the outstanding people and groups within our watershed who have demonstrated the advancement of watershed health through projects on the landscape and actions that contribute to a healthier environment for everyone.

This year’s recipients of the Environmental Excellence Awards are:

• Individual Conservationist Award: Awarded to Cathey Dueck
  Recognizing outstanding people who have undertaken projects, demonstrated leadership, and inspired others to create a healthier watershed.

• Environmental Stewardship Award: Awarded to Peterborough Humane Society
  Recognizing community or organized groups that have successfully undertaken projects that contribute to a healthier watershed.

• Conservation Partnership Award: Awarded to Brad Appleby
  Recognizing a municipal partner or agency who has made a significant, positive contribution to furthering the objectives of Otonabee Conservation in one or more areas of the Authority's operations.

• Business Award: Awarded to nefAB Canada Recognizing a business that has made a significant contribution to projects or programs at Otonabee Conservation, advancing our vision of a healthy watershed.

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National Tree Day Sees Otonabee Conservation Plant 125 Trees and Shrubs at Peterborough Humane Society

There were 25 community volunteers and staff from Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) and Otonabee Conservation who planted 125 native trees and shrubs at the Peterborough Humane Society Animal Care Centre to celebrate National Tree Day on Wednesday.

Twenty-five volunteers planted native trees and shrubs at the Peterborough Humane society on National Tree Day. Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

Red osier dogwood, ninebark, honey locust, and freeman maple were planted to increase biodiversity and habitat at the site, provide shade and their humans and create a visual and auditory barrier between the road and the outdoor areas used for animal rehabilitation and recreation according to a press release.

“This project is one of the final components for the overall construction phase of the new state-of-the-art Animal Care Centre,” said Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “Our ongoing partnership with Otonabee Conservation has lead to a total of 925 plants in the ground at our new facility to benefit wildlife and naturalize the property while enhancing our outdoor facilities with shade and natural beauty.”

“Community engagement and support is key to the success of stewardship projects like this,” explained Janette Loveys Smith, Otonabee Conservation CAO. “We are committed to planting trees across the watershed which also helps us locally adapt to climate change. When the community and our corporate partners collaborate to plant trees, we all benefit.”

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Tree Canada, LCBO and Otonabee Conservation Work to Enhance Habitat at New Peterborough Animal Care Centre

20 volunteers planted over 150 trees and shrubs at the new Peterborough Animal Care Centre on Friday; made possible through a $10,000 grant from Tree Canada’s Community Tree Grant program and support from project sponsor LCBO.

Local LCBO employees and volunteers from Otonabee Conservation joined staff and volunteers from the Peterborough Humane Society. Pine Needle Farms also came in advance of the event and installed large trees on the property, located at 1999 Technology Drive.

Over 150 native species were planted, including Dogwood, Pussy Willow and Ninebark. These trees and shrubs will support natural diversity, help to mitigate climate change, and help to filter rainwater that flows to the stormwater retention pond and from the adjacent parking lot.

“Partnerships like this one with LCBO along with Tree Canada, Otonabee Conservation, and the 20 plus volunteers that came out to lend a hand with this initiative, makes such a positive impact on our new Centre, while also supporting our environment.” shared Shawn Morey, executive director of Peterborough Humane Society. “It truly means the world to us to see our community come together and put their own sweat and effort into this project.”

Tree Canada is the only national non-profit organization dedicated to planting and nurturing trees in rural and urban environments, in every province across the country. To date, with their partners and sponsors, they have planted more than 84 million trees. Nurturing urban and rural forestry not only sustains Canada’s proud heritage of biodiversity and natural beauty, but also creates a healthier, more sustainable environment for all.

“The protection of our urban forests is as crucial as ever, and it is through partnerships such as these that we can positively influence the health of urban trees and the communities that rely on them,” said Nicole Hurtubise, CEO of Tree Canada. “Through the support of LCBO and Otonabee Conservation, together we can grow better places to live for Canadians one tree at a time.”

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Curve Lake First Nation Educational Department and Otonabee Conservation Celebrate World Turtle Day with Mikinaak Trail Signs

The Curve Lake First Nation Cultural Centre and Otonabee Conservation are raising awareness about local turtles with the installation of Mikinaak trail crossing signs along the Jackson Creek Trail and at Curve Lake First Nation.

photo courtesy of otonabee conservation.

May 23rd is World Turtle Day, a day to increase respect for and knowledge about one of the world’s oldest creatures – turtles or in Anishinaabemowin (Ojibway), Mikinaak.

According to experts, turtles are the most threatened of the major groups of vertebrates, more so than birds, mammals, and fish with about 75 per cent of turtles worldwide being threatened or already extinct. All of Ontario’s eight species of turtles are at risk of disappearing.

Mikinaak crossing signs will be mounted on kilometre marker posts along the Jackson Creek Trail, providing trail visitors with a QR code that connects to the Turtle Guardians Sighting Report Form; when turtles are spotted along the trail, visitors can report their sighting to help advance turtle conservation efforts.

Turtle education signs will also be installed at Curve Lake First Nation and along the Jackson Creek Trail. Text and species names of Ontario Turtles have been translated into Anishinaabemowin, the local dialect of the Ojibway language.

“As a result of colonization, Anishinaabemowin has lost many words, sounds, and phrases that will never be regained,” explained Anne Taylor from the Curve Lake First Nation Education Department. “That includes some of the turtle species included on these educational signs. Where possible, the traditional turtle species names have been used but new names have been created for some species, based on what makes these turtles special to the Curve Lake First Nation community.”

Anishinaabemowin is predominantly a spoken language. Efforts are underway to include QR codes that link to audio clips of Curve Lake First Nation Elders speaking Anishinaabemowin species names so that visitors can hear the pronunciation of the local dialect.

For more information or to report a turtle sighting visit turtleguardians.com/report-sightings which will help advance turtle conservation efforts.

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Residents in the Otonabee Region Watershed Plant Over 12,000 Trees This Spring

This year Otonabee Conservation’s Tree Seedling Sales program received 109 orders from property owners across the watershed, and residents ordered over 12,075 native trees and shrubs that were planted throughout the region.

Meredith Carter, Manager of Watershed Management Program (left) and Candace Clark, Watershed Biologist (right) take inventory of tree seedlings as they were distributed to local residents who purchased bulk tree seedings through Otonabee Conservation this spring. photo courtesy of otonabee conservation.

Each year, Otonabee Conservation encourages landowners to enhance their property, increase biodiversity and mitigate climate change impacts by planting trees. The Conservation Authority offers a wide selection of native tree and shrub species for landowners to purchase at affordable prices, thanks to a subsidy provided by Forests Ontario.

“Trees play an important role in maintaining a healthy and resilient natural environment. Trees provide shade that can provide cooling for our homes, watercourses, and greenspaces,” explains Meredith Carter, manager of the Watershed Management Program at Otonabee Conservation. “This year, many people are replacing trees that were damaged or destroyed in the May 2022 Derecho, while others were planting trees to enhance their property. These are all great reasons to plant trees, and the seedlings planting this spring will sequester over 2.5 million kilograms of Carbon over their lifetime.”

Mitigating climate change is one positive outcome of planting trees. Trees also provide clean air, and spending time in forests has physical and mental health benefits. Landowners also plant trees to protect water quality in rivers and streams, provide habitat for birds and other wildlife, and add to the health of our communities by purifying the air and enhancing the environment that surrounds us.

Each year, Otonabee Conservation’s Tree Seedling Sales are available starting in January. Otonabee Conservation also works with local landowners and community partners throughout the year to plant trees on private and public properties.

For more information, visit the website.

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Bobcaygeon Brewing Company Launches Second Community Brew To Benefit Otonabee Conservation

Bobcaygeon Brewing Company and McThirsty’s Pint have launched the second edition of their ‘Community Brew’ collaboration series called “Dan’s Kolsch” to support Otonabee Conservation and the Jackson Creek Trail announced on Friday.

Daniel Longfield, McThirsty’s bartender; Richard Wood, BOBCAYGEON Brewery president and Janette Loveys Smith, Otonabee Conservation CAO enjoying “Dan’s Kolsch” as the second installment of the Community Brew collaboration series. a raspberry gose was the first incarnation. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The beer is a Kolsch or lagered ale, brewed in collaboration with McThirsty’s bartender Daniel Longfield.

Bobcaygeon Brewery describes the beer as a golden yellow, clean and crisp lager with a mild bitterness.

One dollar for each pint sold and 50 cents from every can is being donated to Otonabee Conservation.

“We are honoured to be the recipient of donations from Bobcaygeon Brewery’s Community Brew,” states Janette Loveys Smith, Otonabee Conservation CAO. “Funds will be directed to the beloved Jackson Creek Trail, which continues to provide so many residents with a place to rejuvenate, exercise, and enjoy nature in the heart of Peterborough.”

The new beer is publicly available this Saturday at Bobcaygeon Brewing Company to try both on tap and for purchase to go. Starting Monday, the beer is available at McThirsty’s Pint at 166 Charlotte St. and the Bobcaygeon Brewing Company Taproom at 649 The Parkway.

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Otonabee Conservation Offering Spring Water Awareness Program Resources to Help Keep Children Safe During Spring Melt

Otonabee Conservation partners with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to offer Spring Water Awareness children’s program (SWAP) resources for parents to help keep children safe during the spring melt.

photo courtesy of otonabee conservation.

Each year, Otonabee Conservation partners with OPG to offer SWAP to local schools, helping 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 Booklets are available for parents to download from the 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,” says 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 cautionary 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, visit the website.

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Otonabee Conservation Launches 2023 Seedling Program Encouraging Landowners to Enhance Their Property With Trees

Otonabee Conservation has launched its 2023 Seedling Program, encouraging landowners in the Otonabee Region Watershed to plant and grow trees to enhance their property and mitigate climate change announced on Wednesday.

MEREDITH CARTER, MANAGER OF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS AT OTONABEE CONSERVATION, HOLDS A BARE ROOT TREE THAT WAS ONE OF 4,500 TREES PLANTED AT A WATERSHED RESIDENT’S PROPERTY IN OTONABEE SOUTH MONAGHAN TOWNSHIP in the fall of 2020. PHOTO COURTESY of OTONABEE CONSERVATION

“Trees play an important role in maintaining a healthy and resilient natural environment; planting more trees will help provide habitat and mitigate the impacts of climate change,” said Meredith Carter, Otonabee Conservation Watershed Management Program manager.“Last year, 115 landowners in our watershed purchased and planted over 14,000 trees and shrubs through our Tree Seedling Sales Program. This will translate to approximately, 2.5 million kg of sequestered Carbon over the lifetime of these trees.”

The Conservation offers various coniferous and deciduous trees and wildlife shrubs including White Pine, Eastern White Cedar, Red Oak, Sugar Maple, Highbush Cranberry and Buttonbush, along with some unique species such as Tulip Tree, Bitternut Hickory, and Serviceberry. The minimum order is 25 seedlings of a selected species.

“Trees and forests also protect water quality in our rivers and streams,” said Carter, “They provide habitat for birds and other wildlife, and they add to the health of our communities by purifying the air and enhancing the environment that surrounds us.”

Pickups are scheduled for spring 2023 with an order deadline of March 20.

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Otonabee Conservation Celebrates Revitalization of Jackson Creek Trail

Otonabee Conservation celebrated the completion of the Jackson Creek Trail revitalization project with an event at the trail’s East Trailhead on Saturday.

Eliza Braden-Taylor, Chief Keith Knott and Anne Taylor of Curve Lake First Nation at the new Jackson Creek Trail trailhead sign. Photo courtesy of otonabee conservation.

Over 60 community members, local interest groups, project engineers, contractors and delegates from various levels of government gathered for the celebratory ribbon-cutting event, where new trailhead and educational signs were unveiled.

These signs were developed in partnership with the Curve Lake First Nation Cultural Centre, and allow more visitors to safely access the trail. Community members, supporters and donors also participated in a birdwatching hike led by the Peterborough Field Naturalists. 

Revitalization of the Jackson Creek Trail also included addressing points of erosion, installing culverts, regrading slopes, enhancing bridges and railings, resurfacing the length of the trail and the addition of benches.

This project was made possible with a $523,917 investment from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF), with additional funding of $61,500 from Trans Canada Trail.

“We are grateful to our funders who have made this project possible and we are especially humbled by the response from the community, who has come together to support the revitalization of the beloved Jackson Creek Trail,” said Otonabee Conservation CAO/Secretary Treasurer Janette Loveys Smith.

The community also raised over $60,000 in donations through the Your Metres Matter and Close the Gap fundraising campaigns over the last two years.

The Close the Gap fundraising campaign remains active as Otonabee Conservation seeks to fill the remaining gap of $10,000 to complete the final aspects of the project.

For more information or to make a donation, visit the Otonabee Conservation website.

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Otonabee Conservation Issues Flood Watch to Peterborough and Surrounding Area Due to Warm Weather and Rainfall

Otonabee Conservation has issued a flood watch to Peterborough and the surrounding area due to the warm temperatures, rainfall and melting snow throughout the holidays announced on Thursday.

The watch is for the municipalities of Selwyn, Douro-Dummer, Asphodel-Norwood, Otonabee-South Monaghan, Cavan Monaghan, City of Kawartha Lakes, City of Peterborough and Trent Hills and ORCA’s other partners in flood emergency management according to Otonobee Conservation.

The flood watch is issued to alert municipalities, residents and businesses that floods are possible.

Parks Canada reports that they are managing water throughout the entire system.  Increased flows are entering the Kawartha Lakes that increase water levels and could result in the potential breakup of ice cover and ice jams. Starting Thursday, the flows on the Otonabee River will be increased to convey the excess water within the system.

Otonabee Conservation expects a return of cold air temperatures over the next week, in combination with a lack of ice cover and turbulent flows on the Otonabee River may result in the generation of frazil ice (a kind of slush ice formed by cold air temperatures and wind chill combine to cause the surface water temperature to be super-cooled) which can lead to flooding.

Residents and businesses along the shores of the Otonabee River and Kawartha Lakes — especially those located in low-lying areas — are strongly encouraged by Otonobee Conservation to keep a close watch for frazil ice generation, accumulation, and jamming and to take action to limit or prevent damages due to potential flooding.

Water levels can be monitored online at:

• Trent-Severn Waterway’s Water Management InfoNet

• Water Survey of Canada Real-Time Hydrometric Data 

• Otonabee Region Conservation Authority website

The flood watch is expected to expire next Thursday unless stated otherwise.

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