Rideau Valley Conservation Authority

The rvca is one of 36 conservation authorities in ontario working to safeguard local watersheds to protect people and property from natural hazards and conserve natural resources. The rvca works closely with member municipalities watershed residents and conservation partners to protect communities from natural hazards guide sustainable development improve water quality and connect people with nature. Our priorities are to improve water quality protect water supplies manage flood risk and erosion hazards restore watershed habitats and increase conservation lands. The rvca looks to buld resilient communities in the face of climate change and population growth by promoting an integrated watershed approach-one that balanaces human environmental and economic needs. The rideau valley watershed covers 4 241 square kilometers representing 18 municipalities. The rvca: -manages over 3 460 hectares of conservation land -welcomes 343 000 visitors annually to 11 developed conservation areas -provides outdoor education programs to 9 461 students annually -plants over 239 000 trees annually -naturalizes shorelinds and completes best management projects on rural properties to improve and protect water quality -monitors and reports on watershed health through stream surveys fish sampling water quality sampling and headwater sampling -provides approvals for development on hazard lands affected by flodding steep slopes or unstable soils in sensitive areas (wetlands shorelines