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Summertime is here…
Did you know?
In the summer months, beaches on the river can provide family fun and cooling swims. However, the beach may be closed by the local municipal health department if water quality conditions pose a health risk to swimmers. The cities of Ottawa and Gatineau post their monitoring data from official municipal beach sites. The Riverkeeper advises caution when swimming after or during heavy rainfall, this is when stormwater and sewage spills into the river and can create unfavourable swimming conditions.
Mussels are of great benefit to water quality of the Ottawa River and they need your help. To learn more about their importance in our watershed, read the short article by André Martel, scuba diver and aquatic biologist at the Canadian Museum of Nature.
If you see something on the river that concerns you, dial our Pollution Hotline 1-888-9KEEPER, a resource for people who have questions or concerns about the Ottawa River and its tributaries.
Annual General Meeting
Over 65 people attended our Annual General Meeting on June 19th. At the meeting 11 members were elected to serve on the board of directors. Biographies of all our volunteer directors are available on our website.
2007 Board of Directors and Staff at our strategic planning retreat, held on the Gatineau River.
Meredith Brown, Executive Director and Riverkeeper, reviewed the river issues brought forward in the past year and revealed our strategic directions for the next three years. Click here to download the minutes of the meeting.
Laurel Rosene, a newly elected director, received the 2007 Daniel Brunton Outstanding Volunteer Award in recognition of her dedication, commitment and passion for protecting and preserving the Ottawa River.
Ottawa River Watch
River Watch is a program that builds a unique network of citizens and stewardship groups who work cooperatively with Ottawa Riverkeeper on issues related to the health of the Ottawa River and its tributaries. The members of this network are Riverwatchers and they are dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of the Ottawa River and its tributaries in their local communities.
This summer, the Riverkeeper and her staff will patrol the watershed with our Riverwatchers:
- July 4: Watts Creek
- July 5: Kettle Island to Petrie Island
- July 10: Bonnechere River to Chat Falls Dam
- July 24: Lac des Deux Montagnes
- July 26: Whitewater region
- Early August: Gatineau River
- August: Below Chats Fall Dam
- August 25: Petawawa to Oiseau Rock
Check here to check if there is a Riverwatcher in your community. If you are interested in participating, contact Delphine Hasle.
Spring Celebrations
We would like to thank our volunteers, supporters and participants who made Ottawa Riverkeeper’s spring events successful. Photos and stories are available on our photo gallery pages:
Calendar
Check our calendar for upcoming events that Riverkeeper has organized or is participating in.
If you know of any events that might interest Ottawa Riverkeeper and its members, please contact us
Watershed News
Check out our website for recently posted news. You can view news stories by topic or by date.
RFK urges protection for coastal cypress forests
In June, Ottawa Riverkeeper staff joined Waterkeepers from six continents in New Orleans, Louisiana. We saw first hand the destruction caused by the breach of the levees followed by the storm surge. Almost two years after hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit the Gulf of Mexico coast, much of New Orleans is still storm ravaged.
Cypress forests are vital wetlands that stabilize Louisiana’s coast against hurricanes. This is why, SAVE OUR CYPRESS, a coalition of Louisiana public interest groups – led by the Atchafalaya Basinkeeper and Lower Mississippi Riverkeeper – have publicly called on Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Lowe’s to immediately cease all sales of cypress mulch products.
For more information on the Waterkeeper Alliance campaign “Why Kill a Tree to Grow a Flower?”, click here.
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Ottawa Riverkeeper is a charitable organization,
our business number is 862697059RR0001.
Please consider making a donation to support our work.
Issue 14 - July 2007
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Questions, feedback, or address changes?
We'd love to hear from you, please use our contact form to send questions or comments.
Or call our Pollution Hotline at:
1-888-9KEEPER