Step Into Nature this Winter at RRCA's Three Conservation Areas

DECEMBER 19, 2024 The Raisin Region Conservation Authority (RRCA) invites everyone to step into nature at its three Conservation Areas this winter. Cooper Marsh, Charlottenburgh Park, and Gray’s Creek offer over 20 kilometres of nature trails open year-round at no cost.

“There are plenty of activities to do at this time of year, including birdwatching, observing tracks in the snow left by mammals, and enjoying the sight of evergreens and red fruiting winterberries,” says Claudia Munafo, RRCA’s Public Information Coordinator. “RRCA’s Conservation Areas are also great spaces to get back into winter recreation activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.”

Visitors can help the RRCA monitor wildlife in the winter using the Seek and iNaturalist mobile apps to log observations. The resulting data from these citizen science sightings can be found on the RRCA website at rrca.on.ca/CitizenScience.

“RRCA’s three Conservations Areas are part of over 2,000 acres of environmentally significant land protected and managed by the Authority to provide recreation and eco-tourism opportunities, strengthen local tree cover, protect sensitive habitat, mitigate the effects of drought and flooding, and enhance the general health and resilience of local watersheds,” adds Munafo. “So far, RRCA’s Conservation Areas have welcomed approximately 165,000 visitors this year.”

Those eager to expand their nature explorations throughout the province can also download Conservation Ontario’s Step Into Nature mobile app, which makes it easy to discover over 300 Conservation Areas in Ontario.

Property owners looking to leave a natural legacy may consider donating environmentally significant land to the RRCA for perpetual preservation. The RRCA is a qualified recipient under Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program and may issue charitable receipts for donations.

For more information, and to access directions and a list of amenities at each RRCA Conservation Area, visit rrca.on.ca or contact (613) 938-3611 or [email protected].