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Job opportunities
We currently have three positions available:
* Human Resources/Health & Safety Advisor - Apply by May 10
Apply by May 20
Apply by May 20
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Co-op highlight
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Water quality sampling in Fenelon Falls
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Lauren Bobbi and Nicholas Stasiak are students at Fleming College who recently completed a 2 week co-op placement.
They took water quality samples for the Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network, set temperature loggers, measured water flow, and assisted in our conservation areas.
LCVI student Scott Clyne has been with us every morning since February. He has assisted with conservation areas maintenance and invasive species control.
Much thanks for all of your help!
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Youth Environmental Bursary
Are you a high school student, or do you know somebody, who is considering post secondary education in environmental or conservation related studies? Kawartha Conservation staff are providing a bursary of $500 to a graduating high school student. Click here for details.
The deadline to apply is May 24, 2013.
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Spring meeting
The KLSA is holding a meeting on Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Bobcaygeon Community Hall (the Arena), 51 Mansfield St.
The new KLSA 2012 Lake Water Quality Report will be available for pick-up as well as free copies of the new algae guide, The Algae of the Kawartha Lakes.
Speakers will focus on the content of the Lake Water Quality Report. Topics will include harvesting lake nutrients, understanding algae growth, a milfoil project, and others.
Kawartha Conservation staff will also be at the meeting with information about lake management planning and the Blue Canoe.
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Have you checked your subwatershed?
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High water levels in Kawartha lakes
 High water levels and spring flooding began on April 18 in Muskoka, Haliburton, and the Kawarthas when a regional-scale, low pressure storm system brought a significant amount of precipitation to southern Ontario. The weather event added more than 50 mm of rain to the spring snowmelt, and the ground was either frozen or water-saturated, resulting in exceptionally high runoff that exceeded the storage capacity of local rivers and lakes.
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Flooding on Shadow Lake in the Gull River watershed, April 23, 2013
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While the Burnt River reacted very quickly, it took time for the Gull River and other systems to respond. The Burnt River peaked on April 22, and the Gull River, measured at Norland, peaked on April 26.
As a large amount of water entered the Kawartha lakes from the north through these rivers, the water levels in Balsam, Cameron, Sturgeon, and Pigeon lakes increased rapidly. We issued a Flood Watch on April 19 for the shoreline areas of the affected lakes, and upgraded to a Flood Warning on April 22.
The affected municipalities have provided regular updates and forecasts on water levels in the Burnt and Gull rivers and Trent-Severn Waterway operations. They have also coordinated the flood response, such as distributing sand bags, collecting donations, and facilitating disaster relief.
Throughout the event, we issued regular flood messages and maintained close communication with officials at Trent-Severn Waterway, the Ministry of the Natural Resources, and adjacent conservation authorities. Trent-Severn Waterway regulates water levels through water control structures across the entire system, and mitigates flooding where possible.
On May 2, water levels in the Kawartha Lakes were still fluctuating due to a large volume of water moving through the system.
Click here for flood messages, information, and links.
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Conservation areas update
With the snow gone and the ground a little drier, the parking areas in our conservation areas are now open. The summer hours of operation have also come into effect. All of the areas are open everyday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. until November!
Howlers Corners Off-leash Dog Park
Work is being completed on Howlers Corners and preparations are under way for a grand opening!  Upgrades to the fencing will soon be completed, and we are getting ready to install signs, benches, bins, and bag stands.
All of the grading and drainage work completed last year stood up well to the snow melt and rain this spring, and the grass seed that had been planted last fall is coming in nicely. There is still an opportunity to become a sponsor or make a donation and have your name on the sign. The deadline is May 31. Click here for more details.
Healthy Hikes
 Now when you track all of the time you spend in our conservation areas, you will have a chance to win great prizes, including a $1,200 gift card from Merrel!
The Healthy Hikes challenge, taking place until Oct. 31, is a fun way to learn more about our environment and how it boosts health and can energize your body and mind.
Click here for details.
Show off your favourite conservation area
Here's another chance to win. Conservation Ontario has launched a new photo contest. There are three categories of photos that can be submitted:
Healthy Hikes - Take a photograph of your family or friends enjoying a recreation activity at a conservation area OR take a photograph of an ecological feature that positively contributes to our health/well-being.
Nature is Design - Take an interesting and creative photograph, which showcases nature as design.
Beautiful in Every Season - Take photographs at conservation areas in the winter--landscapes, pictures of you and your family/friends enjoying winter activities, wildlife in the winter...be creative.
Photos can be submitted until February 28, 2014.
Click here for more details.
Tree planting
 Rainy conditions didn't keep 20 Port Perry Beavers and Cubs from coming out and having fun in Durham East Cross Forest Conservation Area on April 27.
Together, they planted 350 trees!
Construction to begin on new board walk
The board walk removed last year in Pigeon River Headwaters Conservation Area is being replaced.
This month, 13 students from Lindsay Collegiate and Vocational Institute (LCVI) will be building sections that will later be transported from our Administrative Centre to the conservation area. They will also help with the installation of the first sections.
Two students, also from LCVI, will be in the conservation area assisting with the construction of a bridge that is needed to get the materials to the site.
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 Blue Canoe rain barrel sale
Available for only $60 each! To help you get ready for summer, we're offering rain barrels at a discount price. A rain barrel can provide you with a ready supply of water for your lawn and garden, save on your utility bill, and reduce the amount of contaminants entering local waterways.
 A large rush of rainwater during heavy rainfall that washes across lawns and driveways can pick up nutrients, such as pet waste and fertilizer, sediments, and other contaminants. These are carried into your lake, if you have a waterfront property, or through the storm water system to the nearest river or lake. Collecting water in a rain barrel reduces that rush of water across the ground by temporarily storing it for use at a later time.
We currently have two colours available, slate grey and terracotta. They are 55 gallons (220 litres) and measure 22 inches wide x 40 inches tall. They come with a top filter basket, top-side overflow, barrel to barrel connector, overflow hose, and bottom-side spigot with garden hose thread.
A dispensing hose is also available for an extra $8. This clear hose connects between the bottom side of the barrel and the spigot. It displays the water level in the barrel and eliminates the need to reach down to control the spigot. A plastic clip and metal screw are included to secure the hose to the top side of the rain barrel.
To place an order and arrange a pickup time, please contact Tracy Roxborough at 705.328.2271 ext. 238 or troxborough@kawarthaconservation.com. We will accept cash or cheque upon pickup. Click here for our rain barrel web page. The Blue Canoe Program is supported by the City of Kawartha Lakes and RBC Blue Water Project. Click here for more about the Blue Canoe Program. |
Scugog WATER Fund topped up
Grant applications now being accepted
Funding is available for projects that help protect Lake Scugog and enhance your property, whether you are on a farm or in town: - Rain garden, 50% up to $2,000
- Riparian buffer (along urban tributary), 50% up to $2,000
- Bioswale, 50% up to $2,000
- Manure storage, 50% up to $8,000
- Erosion control, 50% up to $2,000
- Clean water diversion, 50% up to $1,000
- Well decommissioning, 100% up to $1,500
- Other agricultural beneficial management practices, 50% up to $8,000
To see if your property is in an eligible area, or for more information and to apply for funding, visit KawarthaConservation.com/waterfund or contact Shalin at 705.328.2271 ext. 223 or sabbott@kawarthaconservation.com. The Scugog WATER fund is administered by Kawartha Conservation and funded by the Region of Durham. |
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Over 16,000 tree seedlings being planted
 Ralph McKim (left) and Pieter Balhuizen (right), along side Stewardship Coordinator Shalin Abbott (middle), volunteer their time to help distribute over 16,000 tree seedlings on April 26.
Last week, landowners dropped by to pick up over 16,000 tree seedlings to plant on their properties. As the seedlings grow, they will provide many benefits, such as slow runoff and reduce flooding, filter the water that passes through them, reduce erosion, filter the air, and provide important habitat for native species of plants and animals.
Many thanks to the Victoria Stewardship Council which led the Tree Seedling Distribution Program in our area for many years.
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