Step Into Nature at RRCA's Three Conservation Areas

Raisin Region Conservation Authority (RRCA)'s three Conservation Areas continue to provide opportunities to connect with nature year-round. Gray's Creek, Charlottenburgh Park and Cooper Marsh offer a combined 25 km of nature trails available at no cost.

"There is plenty to see and do this time of year, including bird watching and enjoying the festive hints of red winterberry holly and green conifers speckled throughout the Conservation Areas," says Lisa Van De Ligt, RRCA Team Lead, Communications and Stewardship. When visitors encounter wildlife or plant, they can log their observations using Seek and iNaturalist apps. These apps can help identify and learn about the observed species, while also providing the RRCA with valuable data.

"Another fun way to explore the region is the Raisin Region GeoAdventure," adds Van De Ligt. This geocaching treasure hunt takes participants to 20 caches concealed in environmentally significant areas throughout the RRCA's jurisdiction in Eastern Ontario.

Visitors can enjoy Cooper Marsh Conservation Area once again following a six-day closure during the parking lot reconstruction. The work began on November 30 and finished ahead of schedule on December 5. The reconstruction was necessary to make the parking lot more resilient to springtime water saturation, which made it prone to deep ruts that would worsen with repeated usage.

Sections of the trails at Cooper Marsh remain closed due to dyke enhancement work being completed in partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), with the financial support of Ontario's Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks through the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program (WCPP). The work is set to last for several weeks. Signage is in place to indicate which trails and other areas are temporarily closed. The red and green trails (i.e. trails with boardwalks) are currently open. The RRCA will notify the public once the work is complete and all of the trails have been re-opened.

Conservation Area visitors are reminded to clean up after their dogs and keep them on a leash. Dogs are not permitted at Cooper Marsh due to the sensitive nature of the habitat.

For more information on the RRCA's three Conservation Areas, please visit rrca.on.ca or contact (613) 938-3611 or [email protected].