Grand River Conservation Authority

Public Interest Seat Vacancy The Lake Erie Region Source Protection Committee is looking for an interested, committed individual with relevant experience to fill a Public Interest seat. The committee oversees updates and implementation of plans that protect the sources of municipal drinking water. The term of office will begin in August 2021 and last four years. For more information and to apply please visit:

It's a nice day to be working outdoors! Staff are taking advantage of the drier weather to continue the spring boom/buoy installations. These are installed upstream of GRCA dams and warn paddlers, anglers and boaters to stay back. #WaterSafety https://qoo.ly/3c3j4d

Emergency Preparedness Week: Ayr, New Hamburg, Drayton and West Montrose residents There's specific information on our website for residents of Ayr, New Hamburg, Drayton and West Montrose. The "Preparing for Flooding" brochures offer resources and include flood zone maps. https://qoo.ly/3c3h8x #EPW2021 #FloodReady Waterloo Regional Police Service Township of Mapleton @Township-of-North-Dumfries

Guess how many trees producer Bruce Whale has planted in his riparian buffer: 1,000, 5,000 or 15,000? If you guessed 15,000, you're correct! His efforts have a positive impact on ecosystem dynamics, including improved soil health, water quality and biodiversity. Watch this video by our friends at OSCIA to learn more, and don't forget that we can help with grants. https://qoo.ly/3c3fqt https://www.grandriver.ca//Rural-Water-Quality-Program.aspx #OSCIA #OntAg

People are often surprised at the size of the Grand River watershed -- it's about the size of Prince Edward Island! Would you like to see where the Grand begins its journey? Where our large dams are located? The names of the creeks near you? Download our watershed map (24"x36" PDF): https://qoo.ly/3b2z3t (Tip: Open the PDF and zoom in to see sections in great detail.) #WaterWednesday

Reminder: The best place to check the status of particular programs and services is on our FAQ page. Our social media accounts are not monitored 24/7. https://qoo.ly/39yswc

Has a park reached capacity or is it still welcoming visitors? Don't forget you can check the current status of a Grand River Park here: https://qoo.ly/39yaph

Say hello to Haldimand beef farmer Scott MacDonald. He installed fencing to keep his cattle out of his creek and to keep water clean. Thanks to Haldimand County for supporting the Rural Water Quality Program! Learn about grants: https://qoo.ly/39ncq5 #FeatureFriday #OntAg

Please remember: ice can be very thin at this time of year and banks extremely slippery. KEEP OFF local rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, and keep children and pets well back as well. Stay safe! For more tips on water safety, visit: https://qoo.ly/39xux7 #TipTuesday

Ontario's Clean Water Act has identified fuel oil used for heating as a potential threat to our lakes, rivers, and aquifers. Conservation Ontario has a great document showing how to protect our sources of drinking water from home fuel oil spills and leaks: https://qoo.ly/39mf8x #WinterWednesdays #WaterWednesday

We are carrying out forest improvement operations in the conifer plantations around the Damascus Reservoir, near Wellington County Road 16. This will result in trail and area closures. Please obey the posted signage. https://qoo.ly/39mejd

Please note our head office at 400 Clyde Road in Cambridge will close today at 12:30 p.m. It will remain closed to the public after the holidays, in compliance with government directives. (Note, however, that staff can be reached by phone or email starting Tuesday, December 29. Check our website for details at https://qoo.ly/39vcfb.) We extend our best wishes to you and yours for a healthy, safe and happy holiday.

Here's another impressive before/after of a creek in Township of Wellesley, shown 19 years apart. The creek was fenced off and trees were planted, leading to improved water quality. We help landowners access grants to create stream buffers and more. For info: https://qoo.ly/39cvuj #MondayMotivation #OntAg Region of Waterloo

Re: the Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail parking lot in Glen Morris.

NEWS release: GRCA Chair calls special board meeting in response to proposed changes to Conservation Authorities Act GRCA Chair Helen Jowett is convening a special meeting of the GRCA board for members to review and discuss the Province's proposed changes to the Conservation Authorities Act. Some of the proposed changes, if enacted, may have a significant impact on conservation authorities and their watershed management responsibilities. The meeting will be streamed live and ...the public is encouraged to watch. Meeting date and time: Monday, November 23, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. Livestream: https://qoo.ly/39a4vb Read the news release: https://www.grandriver.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx See more

A few rules to follow while using our parks and trails: Abide by government and public health restrictions and recommendations. Maintain physical distancing (at least 6 ft or 2 m). Keep your pet on a leash. Only park in designated areas.... Garbage in, garbage out. Thanks for your cooperation! See more

Remember that ice can be very thin at this time of year. Keep off local rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, and keep children and pets well back as well. Stay safe! For more tips on water safety, visit:

Old, unused wells can contribute to groundwater contamination. If you have one on your property, grants may be available to upgrade or decommission them. Learn more here: https://qoo.ly/38wkp7 #WaterWednesday

*Reminder - special meeting of the GRCA board this morning* GRCA Chair Helen Jowett is convening a special meeting of the GRCA board for members to review and discuss the Province's proposed changes to the Conservation Authorities Act. Some of the proposed changes, if enacted, may have a significant impact on conservation authorities and their watershed management responsibilities. The meeting will be streamed live and the public is encouraged to watch. Meeting date and time: Monday, November 23, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. Livestream: https://qoo.ly/39cpdt Read the news release: https://www.grandriver.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx

The easiest way to learn if a Grand River Park is open or closed is to check our Park Status page. This user friendly page is updated in real time. Don't forget to bookmark it! https://qoo.ly/38vgdk

WATERshed Fact for Geography Awareness Week DYK we have online mapping tools? Learn about various aspects of the geography of the watershed, and create your own maps of your property, study area, or for school projects. https://qoo.ly/399zs6 #GISDAY #WaterWednesday

Scholarships available! Are you a post-secondary student planning a career in an environmental field? Check out our 2020 scholarship opportunities. Application deadline: Nov. 15. https://www.grandriver.ca/en/who-we-are/Scholarships.aspx

GRCA Chair calls special board meeting in response to proposed changes to Conservation Authorities Act GRCA Chair Helen Jowett is convening a special meeting of the GRCA board for members to review and discuss the Province's proposed changes to the Conservation Authorities Act. Some of the proposed changes, if enacted, may have a significant impact on conservation authorities and their watershed management responsibilities. The meeting will be streamed live and the public is ...encouraged to watch. Meeting date and time: Monday, November 23, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. Livestream: https://qoo.ly/39bcqk Read the news release: https://www.grandriver.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx See more

Service Disruption Update GRCA properties were temporarily closed after Sunday's storm. Most have since re-opened but several do remain closed, including the Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail. For more information on these closures: https://qoo.ly/399mga .

WATERshed Fact for Geography Awareness Week DYK we are Canada's oldest water management agency? We play a leading role in protecting our water. Our dams and reservoirs protect against floods and keep the rivers flowing. We measure water quality in our rivers and streams and work to improve it.... We monitor the quantity and quality of our groundwater supplies. We work with municipalities to protect their drinking water sources. We help our cities and towns improve the way they treat wastewater. We coordinate action during periods of low water. Learn more: https://qoo.ly/39b74b .

Did you know that 70% of the Grand River watershed is farmed and it is one of the richest agricultural regions in Canada? We love working with landowners to protect water quality and improve soil health. To learn about funding, visit: https://qoo.ly/38tz5c #FridayFact

WATERshed Fact for Geography Awareness Week When water moves out of the ground to the surface through springs or seeps, it is referred to as groundwater discharge. Groundwater often discharges into wetlands, streams and rivers. The Grand River between Cambridge and Paris receives a lot of groundwater discharge, and this flow of clean groundwater helps explain why water quality improves along this reach. https://qoo.ly/399fwg

COVID-19 continues to impact some of our programs and services. The best place to check the status of particular programs is on our FAQ page: https://qoo.ly/3993wc

Looking to get outside for a fall hike this weekend? Wondering what Grand River Parks are open? You can visit Rockwood, Laurel Creek, Guelph Lake, Pinehurst Lake, Belwood Lake or Shade's Mills. (The other conservation areas closed on Oct. 15th.) https://qoo.ly/38tfh7

Landowners: Are you in the Nith River watershed upstream of New Hamburg (i.e.: Phillipsburg, Millbank, Dorking, Wellesley...)? NEW grants and incentives are available for cover crops, alternative phosphorus application practices, use of strip-till or no-till planting equipment and soil sampling. Read the news release: https://qoo.ly/38ta3r #OntAg

Take a guess: How many observations have been uploaded to iNaturalist for the Grand River watershed? 15,648 23,980 96,827 160,320... If you guessed 160,320 (and counting) you are correct! Check it out - we think you'll be amazed! Thanks to all who submit https://qoo.ly/38snjj iNaturalist.org #WildlifeWednesday See more

IT’S HERE! #WasteReductionWeek starts today! All week, we’ll be sharing content to help you divert more waste & litter, including: textiles... e-waste plastics & packaging food waste The time is now to think outside the landfill & commit to #actONlitter! Waste Reduction Week in Canada

A few rules to follow while using our trails and natural areas: Abide by government and public health restrictions and recommendations. Maintain physical distancing (at least 6 ft or 2 m). Keep your pet on a leash. Only park in designated areas. If parking lots are full, please return at another time.... Garbage in, garbage out. Thanks for your cooperation! See more

Our Forestry Specialists are all smiles - today is the first day of their fall 2020 tree planting season! This fall they'll be planting over 4000 trees across 33 sites in our watershed. We work with private landowners with the goal to enhance landscapes and protect our water. Wondering how to get trees from us? Look here for info and contacts: https://qoo.ly/38rjwj