WESTPORT, May 20, 2025 – True friendship never really dies, as its gifts live on forever. That’s certainly the case for Foley Mountain as it says goodbye to its longtime Friends group this spring. 

Friends of Foley Mountain, a charitable group that has aided the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority's Westport site since 1996, announced in April it is disbanding after 29 years. Stable funding coupled with declining board member recruitment led to the difficult decision. But even in its absence, the group’s indelible mark can be found in every corner of the 800-acre conservation area. 

In the mid-1990s, funding cuts threatened the future of Foley Mountain and its outdoor education programs. Foley’s live-in site supervisor and education manager Barry McQuay, along with his wife Peri, decided to take action. In February 1996, they hosted the inaugural Friends of Foley Mountain meeting at the Lion’s Den in Westport. It was meant to be exploratory to gauge community interest. But according to Peri, they were overwhelmed.

“The hall was packed. It was wintertime and there were people standing outside,” Peri said. “There was cheering and there was stamping. People really cared.” 

Raising nearly $400,000 over the past three decades, the Friends have focused on providing tuition and bus subsidies for low-income families and schools to participate in outdoor education. They also leveraged their charitable status to help raise grants and funding for major infrastructure upgrades, including the accessible Spy Rock ramp, accessible washrooms and ramp at the Interpretive Centre, and the construction of solar-powered washrooms at the Silversides education site. 

“I couldn’t even list all the things the Friends have supported us on,” said current site supervisor Rebecca Whitman. “They’ve been hugely supportive with providing extra resources like snowshoes and GPS units. They’ve helped families who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford to come to the programs. All of those things have had a really huge impact.”

Whitman expressed heartfelt thanks to the committed volunteers who have dedicated years of their life supporting Foley Mountain and its programs. 

“I am just so grateful to be part of a community that cares so deeply about its public resources, and about the next generation of stewards for this critical forest,” Whitman said. “The Friends have made a permanent impact on the Mountain while fostering a steady level of community support, and I am confident that is not going away.”

The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority sincerely thanks the Friends of Foley Mountain board members and the community that has supported the group for years. Going forward, Friends of Foley have graciously asked the RVCA’s charitable partner the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation to continue raising funds for Foley Mountain initiatives. An exclusive Foley Fund has been established to support a variety of programs, including outdoor education, land conservation or stewardship. Donations can be made at www.rvcf.ca or through CanadaHelps.org. 

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RIDEAU LAKES, May 1, 2025 – United Way Leeds & Grenville is helping 375 disadvantaged students learn and explore at Foley Mountain Conservation Area over the coming year.

The Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation (RVCF) accepted a cheque for $10,000 at the United Way’s Volunteer Breakfast in Brockville on Thursday, May 1. It will support the Foundation’s Out To Learn campaign, which removes financial barriers for priority schools so all children can access curriculum-connected outdoor education programs run by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA).

The grant will cover tuition and bussing costs for 15 classes or 375 students. They will experience hands-on programs exploring things like pond study, survival skills, navigation, soil ecosystems and bugs on the 800-acre property just outside of Westport.

“All students deserve a chance to learn and explore in the great outdoors, no matter their financial situation,” said RVCF executive director Diane Downey. “We are so grateful to United Way Leeds & Grenville for offering more schools an opportunity to experience the magic of Foley Mountain.”

Site supervisor and educator Rebecca Whitman said it is incredible to work with students who may have never had an opportunity to learn outdoors before. 

“The natural wonder these kids have for the world around them deserves to be nurtured and supported,” Whitman said. “This grant will help these students grow in so many new ways.”

Spending time in nature has been shown to improve children’s physical and mental health, increase creativity and problem-solving skills, encourage leadership skills and improve academic learning. It has also been shown to help with sleep, self-regulation and even to fend off near-sightedness. 

“True equity in education means every child—regardless of background—has access to meaningful, enriching experiences that help them learn and grow,” said United Way Leeds & Grenville executive director Hailie Jack. “Outdoor learning does exactly that. It builds confidence, curiosity, and connection. Not all students have the same opportunities, and that’s something we’re working to change. We’re proud to support this program because it opens doors and levels the playing field in a very real way.”

Foley Mountain’s curriculum-connected outdoor education programs are offered throughout the entire school year for kindergarteners to Grade 12. 

To learn more about the Out To Learn program visit https://www.rvcf.ca/ways-to-give/out-to-learn or contactThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

To book an outdoor education program at Foley Mountain visit https://www.rvca.ca/outdoor-education/foley-school-community-programs or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

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RIDEAU VALLEY, April 17, 2025 – The Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation can go to bat for endangered bats thanks to a generous grant from TC Energy’s Build Strong program. 

The funds will help purchase state-of-the-art bat recording equipment to kickstart a local species at risk monitoring program. Data from those devices will allow staff to target habitat creation and conservation efforts where it’s needed most.

The Foundation will partner with conservation lands staff at the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) to carry out the work. In 2024, RVCA staff documented five of the province’s seven bat species on Authority and Foundation properties, including the Little Brown Bat, Hoary Bat, Silver-haired Bat, Eastern Red Bat and Tri-colored Bat. All of them are classified as endangered by the Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO), with many facing declines due to threats like White Nose Syndrome, which has devastated up to 90% of North America’s bat population. 

Beginning this spring, staff will deploy stationary Acoustic Recording Units (ARUs) on 10 properties to further confirm which bat species are using RVCA and Foundation lands, and to collect valuable distribution data. An acoustic recording unit monitors bat activity at an RVCA property.

More versatile Echo Meters, which can attach to existing devices like phones for mobile monitoring, will also be deployed to confirm the presence of bat maternity roosts, which are vital safe spaces for mothers to raise their pups. The combination of ARUs, Echo Meters and trail cameras will help monitor the bats as they enter and exit roosts. They will also aid staff in locating and identifying critical winter hibernation habitats.

“This program will support the long-term survival of bats and their essential role in our ecosystems,” said conservation lands technician Adrienne Lewis, who will lead the monitoring program. “We are so grateful to TC Energy and RVCF for their support as we work to enhance local habitat for these critical species at risk.”

RVCF Executive Director Diane Downey said these kinds of partnerships have measurable impacts on the local environment and its ecosystems. 

“We’re pleased to welcome TC Energy to the Foundation family as a species at risk supporter,” Downey said. “We hope this is just the first partnership of many as we look to a bright future of bat conservation efforts in the Rideau Valley.” 

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RIDEAU VALLEY, July 24, 2024 – Estate planning can be complicated, but two upcoming workshops can help ease your mind about one important aspect: how to maximize your legacy while supporting causes close to your heart.

The Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation (RVCF) will host two Planned Giving workshops this summer alongside local financial experts and estate lawyers from IG Wealth Management and Kelly Santini LLP. These free coffee hours will include presentations and Q&As about the impact of charitable donations on estate taxes, capital gains and other considerations.

The first workshop will be held at the Westport Community Arena on Thursday, Aug. 22 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The second will take place at the Sandy Hill Community Centre on Thursday, Sept. 12. Registration is required.

It’s a common misconception that leaving charitable donations in your will cuts into your loved ones’ inheritance. In fact, even modest donations can actually increase your estate’s net worth, as they reduce what the estate must pay in taxes, capital gains and other costs. In this way, planned giving is a powerful way to leave a meaningful legacy without sacrificing how you provide for your family’s future. 

The workshops will use real-life examples to explore the pros and cons of common donation types, including financial donations, appreciated securities, surplus life insurance policies and land donations. 

Land donation will be a unique estate planning topic at the workshops, as the Foundation is a certified land trust committed to protecting donated properties in perpetuity. Land donations to the Foundation usually include natural features like shorelines, wetlands or forests, or provide habitat for species at risk. The estate receives a charitable tax receipt for the fair-market value of the property, which significantly offsets estate taxes, while also avoiding increased capital gains.

Financial and estate planning experts will be available to answer any questions throughout the workshop. Participants are not obligated to donate to the Foundation or to work with IG Wealth Management or Kelly Santini LLP.  

Participation is free, but registration is required as space is limited. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to RSVP to either workshop (please specify in your email) or register through EventBrite at the links below: 

Westport: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/free-planned-giving-workshop-coffee-hour-westport-tickets-925252283487

Sandy Hill (Ottawa): https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/free-planned-giving-workshop-coffee-hour-sandy-hill-ottawa-tickets-927487840097

Learn more at www.rvcf.ca.

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KARS-ON-THE-RIDEAU – June 21, 2024 – Dignitaries, donors, and special guests joined staff and board members from the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation (RVCF) and Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) to celebrate the Baxter Conservation Area’s flagship accessible bridge’s grand opening on Friday, June 21.

The 100-metre accessible bridge and two large education platforms embrace the gold standards of accessible design, including a 10-foot-wide deck, appropriate sight-lines for people in wheelchairs and strollers, gentle slopes, handrails and benches. 

The impressive span was made possible with generous support from the  Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), and the City of Ottawa’s Rural Community-Building Grant, as well as in-kind and financial support from the RVCF, RVCA, and their generous donors. 

“Accessibility improvements to this area and two new educational platforms will make this beautiful green space a safe and welcoming destination for all to enjoy,” the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario wrote in a prepared statement. “The Government of Canada is happy to have supported the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation.”

Rideau-Jock Councillor David Brown thanked the Nature For All committee, which brought its grand vision of an accessible nature destination to the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and its Foundation six years ago. Brown also recognized the hard work of the many RVCA and RVCF staff, volunteers and board members who have helped turn this vision into reality.

“This project was not easy,” Councillor Brown said. “What we’re looking at today really shows that hard work, the dedication and the consistent pressure to make life better out here for everyone of all ages and abilities.”

In total, Baxter’s accessible bridge project garnered more than $800,000 in support, including donations from 100 Women Who Care, 1^st Greely Cubs, Fjällräven, FedEx Canada, Girl Gone Good, and The Gosling Foundation. The RVCA also contributed from its capital infrastructure funds.

“Each year, Baxter welcomes thousands of visitors and more than 4,000 students to its facilities to enjoy the trails, beach and outdoor education programming,” said RVCA Chair Kristin Strackerjan. “The new bridge will help visitors of all abilities enjoy an enhanced outdoor experience while taking advantage of the many physical and mental health benefits that go with it.”

The previous bridge was at the end of its life cycle and was closed for safety reasons in 2019. Cue Mike Nemesvary, an accessibility advocate located in Manotick who has been visiting Baxter Conservation Area in his power wheelchair for more than 20 years. An athlete and adventurist, Nemesvary had long dreamed of transforming Baxter into an accessible nature haven for people of all abilities. Working with the RVCA and RVCF, he founded the local Nature For All committee to bring his vision to life.

"My partner Maryann and I have been continual visitors to Baxter, which includes a sandy beachfront, five kilometres of nature trails, picnic areas, lookouts, marshlands, a nut grove and a multitude of ecologies," said Nemesvary as he addressed a crowd of 75 people gathered to open the bridge. “This unique bridge is the culmination of a grand vision, a dedicated committee and an outpouring of support from private and public sectors for the past six years."

And the accessibility transformation continues.

“There’s more work to be done, including rebuilding and replacing the 950 metres of accessible raised boardwalk and trails that will lead people of all abilities to this magnificent spot,” said RVCF Board Chair Andrew Harkness. “We are excited to continue Phase 2 of this shared mission with support from our partners and generous community members.”

To learn more about the Nature For All project visit www.rvcf.ca/nature-for-all.

To learn more Baxter Conservation Area visit https://www.rvca.ca/conservation-areas/fee-required/baxter-ca

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KARS-ON-THE-RIDEAU – June 21, 2024 – Dignitaries, donors, and special guests joined staff and board members from the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation (RVCF) and Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) to celebrate the Baxter Conservation Area’s flagship accessible bridge’s grand opening on Friday, June 21.

The 100-metre accessible bridge and two large education platforms embrace the gold standards of accessible design, including a 10-foot-wide deck, appropriate sight-lines for people in wheelchairs and strollers, gentle slopes, handrails and benches. 

The impressive span was made possible with generous support from the  Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), and the City of Ottawa’s Rural Community-Building Grant, as well as in-kind and financial support from the RVCF, RVCA, and their generous donors. 

“Accessibility improvements to this area and two new educational platforms will make this beautiful green space a safe and welcoming destination for all to enjoy,” the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario wrote in a prepared statement. “The Government of Canada is happy to have supported the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation.”

Rideau-Jock Councillor David Brown thanked the Nature For All committee, which brought its grand vision of an accessible nature destination to the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and its Foundation six years ago. Brown also recognized the hard work of the many RVCA and RVCF staff, volunteers and board members who have helped turn this vision into reality.

“This project was not easy,” Councillor Brown said. “What we’re looking at today really shows that hard work, the dedication and the consistent pressure to make life better out here for everyone of all ages and abilities.”

In total, Baxter’s accessible bridge project garnered more than $800,000 in support, including donations from 100 Women Who Care, 1^st Greely Cubs, Fjällräven, FedEx Canada, Girl Gone Good, and The Gosling Foundation. The RVCA also contributed from its capital infrastructure funds.

“Each year, Baxter welcomes thousands of visitors and more than 4,000 students to its facilities to enjoy the trails, beach and outdoor education programming,” said RVCA Chair Kristin Strackerjan. “The new bridge will help visitors of all abilities enjoy an enhanced outdoor experience while taking advantage of the many physical and mental health benefits that go with it.”

The previous bridge was at the end of its life cycle and was closed for safety reasons in 2019. Cue Mike Nemesvary, an accessibility advocate located in Manotick who has been visiting Baxter Conservation Area in his power wheelchair for more than 20 years. An athlete and adventurist, Nemesvary had long dreamed of transforming Baxter into an accessible nature haven for people of all abilities. Working with the RVCA and RVCF, he founded the local Nature For All committee to bring his vision to life.

"My partner Maryann and I have been continual visitors to Baxter, which includes a sandy beachfront, five kilometres of nature trails, picnic areas, lookouts, marshlands, a nut grove and a multitude of ecologies," said Nemesvary as he addressed a crowd of 75 people gathered to open the bridge. “This unique bridge is the culmination of a grand vision, a dedicated committee and an outpouring of support from private and public sectors for the past six years."

And the accessibility transformation continues.

“There’s more work to be done, including rebuilding and replacing the 950 metres of accessible raised boardwalk and trails that will lead people of all abilities to this magnificent spot,” said RVCF Board Chair Andrew Harkness. “We are excited to continue Phase 2 of this shared mission with support from our partners and generous community members.”

To learn more about the Nature For All project visit www.rvcf.ca/nature-for-all.

To learn more Baxter Conservation Area visit https://www.rvca.ca/conservation-areas/fee-required/baxter-ca

RIDEAU VALLEY, May 7, 2024 – Your mom has helped you grow and thrive; this Mother’s Day is your chance to pay it forward in her honour.

Through the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation’s special occasions tree planting program, you can plant a native tree seedling for Mom right here in Eastern Ontario, supporting the bright future she’s always wanted for you. 

Staff plant a combination of white cedar, white pine, red oak and sugar maple across the Rideau Valley watershed, from Frontenac to Smiths Falls to downtown Ottawa. As these seedlings grow they create habitat, capture carbon, manage floods and keep contaminants out of our rivers and lakes. Staff maintain the trees for up to five years, helping them grow into maturity so they can thrive for decades – much like your mother did for you.

A single special occasion tree costs $25, while a small grove of five is only $100. Ten trees cost $150 and a family grove of 25 trees costs $250 – just $10 a tree. 

Online ordering makes it easy and fast. Simply choose your trees and enter your information to receive a charitable tax receipt to your inbox. You can also send a note to your mom with our custom e-cards.

The RVCF is a registered charity that supports the work of the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, which manages more than 4,000 km² of waterways across 18 municipalities. 

To order your Mother’s Day trees or make another donation, visit www.canadahelps.org  or www.rvcf.ca.

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MANOTICK, May 2, 2024 – Forests are full of stories, and now Baxter Conservation Area has added another in the form of a permanent Storybook Trail. 

Thanks to a generous grant from the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF), a series of displays now dot the popular and accessible Fiddlehead Trail, beginning at the Interpretive Centre. Each case offers a single page of the featured story, allowing families to read together as they move along the trail. Fun activities and challenges that relate to the story also encourage kids to dive deeper into the natural world around them.

“This is such a wonderful addition to our trail network,” said Baxter Site Supervisor Andrea Wood. “Any way we can engage families while getting them outside in nature is a huge win for everyone.”

The Storybook Trail’s first featured book is A Log’s Life by Wendy Pfeffer, which follows the fate of an oak tree that has fallen in a storm. As the giant log slowly returns to the soil, new life springs forth in its place. 

“The book ties in perfectly with what kids will see happening in the forest around them as they walk the trails,” Wood said. “It’s another way to spark their curiosity about the natural world.”

The Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation helped facilitate the TD FEF grant after a temporary version of the Storybook Trail was installed during the COVID-19 pandemic to safely engage families on site. It proved extremely popular.

“We are so thankful to TD Friends of the Environment for their ongoing support of our outdoor education programs,” said Foundation Director Diane Downey. “Kids are the future, and our partners are helping us invest in them.”

The Storybook Trail’s featured book will change with the seasons. The trail is open dawn to dusk year-round. Parking is $8 per day or $55 for an annual pass. 

Learn more about Baxter Conservation Area and plan your visit: https://www.rvca.ca/conservation-areas/fee-required/baxter

RIDEAU VALLEY, April 24, 2024 – Don Maciver’s two biggest passions were education and conserving the natural world. Now his family is supporting both through an outdoor education fund in his name. 
 
Don’s wife Jeanine, with support from her family, has committed to covering bus and tuition costs for 600 students over the next five years to improve access to unique outdoor learning experiences at Baxter and Foley Mountain conservation areas for kids facing financial barriers. 

“In the outdoors, kids learn in a different way,” Maciver said. “They are going to touch and feel and see the natural environment for themselves. And they may learn about themselves, what they are capable of and what they can overcome.”

Jeanine’s husband Don worked in planning and regulations at the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) for nearly 40 years, before he passed away in 2017. 

Jeanine said he was a lifelong learner who understood the importance of conserving natural resources for future generations – and making sure the next generation understood and appreciated it, too.

“He would be so unbelievably pleased that his legacy is about conservation and educating children,” Maciver said. “We live in a time, more than ever, where our children and our children’s children have to understand the value of our surroundings, and the need to preserve it." 

"It’s not until you get out there and live it and see the caterpillars and butterflies and frogs up close that you truly understand what’s at stake.” 

The RVCA’s Baxter and Foley Mountain conservation areas welcome more than 7,000 students each year to participate in curriculum-linked outdoor education programs, including insect study, habitat exploration, survival strategies, pond and wetland studies, soil ecology programs, life cycle exploration and more. 

But the cost of bussing and tuition can present a barrier for schools in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Many of these neighbourhoods are also the least likely to have accessible greenspace nearby. 

That’s where support from the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation comes in. 

“Some of these children are visiting a real forest for the first time,” said Foundation Director Diane Downey. “The benefits of being in nature for a child’s physical and mental health are indisputable, and subsidizing the RVCA’s outdoor education programs can make a life-long difference for these children.”

She said long-term support like that of the Maciver family’s is especially appreciated, as the education programs can count on reliable funding. But the Don Maciver Memorial Fund is also open to public donations from anyone interested in supporting the cause.

To make a donation, visit https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/rideau-valley-conservation-foundation/ and choose the Don Maciver Memorial Fund. 

Any support is greatly appreciated, said Jeanine. 

“I know Don’s looking down on this and saying thank you,” she said. “The conservation work he had done for 40 years has to continue, and the place for it to continue is with young minds open to learning."

Don and Jeanine Maciver in 2013. Don worked for the RVCA for nearly 40 years. 

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RIDEAU LAKES, Dec. 13, 2023 – Butternuts and blue herons rejoice: a 65-acre heritage farm containing wetlands, forests and farm fields has been donated to the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation (RVCF) for perpetual protection along the shores of Big Rideau Lake. 

The picturesque property includes two acres of provincially significant wetland, 34 acres of mixed forest and 23 acres of rolling farm fields, some of which will be planted with endangered butternut trees. The donation also includes two small islands on Big Rideau Lake and 200 metres of waterfront.  

“We’re thrilled to accept this generous gift to the watershed, which will further protect the area’s natural corridors and ensure a brighter future for all who call the watershed home,” said RVCF executive director Diane Downey. “Every protected property is an important piece of the puzzle to support a healthy, functioning watershed.”

Downey said the property offers many opportunities for conservation and stewardship work. It even contains a confirmed colony of black ash trees, which are endangered due to the combined impacts of wetland loss and emerald ash borer damage.

“We’re excited to help this black ash population thrive in the face of an uncertain future,” Downey said.

The property was donated to the Foundation through the federal Ecological Gifts program this fall. It joins dozens of other properties protected by the Foundation and its partners at the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), totalling more than 8,200 acres. Most of these lands have been donated by private landowners who wished to contribute to a more sustainable future while unlocking the value of their land. 

The anonymous donor received a fair-market charitable tax receipt for the value of the land, while sparing her beloved farm from the ongoing spread of residential development into the countryside. 

She said she’s thrilled the farm will continue to support the abundant wildlife and plants she’s relished since moving to the property in 1995. Wildlife sightings including bears, coyotes, beaver, porcupines, deer and swans, while native plants like Jack in the Pulpit and fiddleheads bring joy and delight each spring. In the end, she hopes her gift will create a natural refuge for animals and people alike. 

“It’s nice land for walking, so I hope people can enjoy it,” she said. “I want people to enjoy the property and not damage it.”

To learn more about land donation and how to get involved, visit https://www.rvcf.ca/ways-to-give/land-donation. 

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