Posted: December 1, 2023
$43,200 OTF Grant helps take the Measure of the Ottawa River
As part of the 2023 Annual Public Meeting, Ottawa Riverkeeper recognized funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to support a real-time monitoring station at River House.
Ottawa, November 28th, 2023 – On Tuesday, the team at Ottawa Riverkeeper was honoured to be able to recognise a $43,200 Capital Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) during their Annual Public Meeting. The funding will help to build understanding of the health of the Ottawa River watershed through the installation of a real-time monitoring station at River House. The parameters collected will be displayed on an interactive monitor that will allow the public to make connections between water quality and what that means for ecological health when the system goes live in early 2024.
“Congratulations to Ottawa Riverkeeper on this grant of $43,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation! I understand that this past summer over 35,000 people came to swim at River House, which is a real accomplishment for residents to have a place to enjoy in our neighbourhood – it’s a beautiful location and accessible for everyone. These well-earned dollars will help to inform the public of day-to-day water quality by allowing River House to purchase a water quality monitoring station,” said Lucille Collard, MPP for Ottawa—Vanier.
There is a need for enhanced educational opportunities for Ottawa River watershed residents about current ecological conditions in the river in order to improve public understanding of their impact on River health and to enhance opportunities for community connections with local water. 59% of survey respondents perceive the Ottawa River as “dirty” thinking of it as unclean and unsafe despite the opposite being true.
Larissa Holman, Director of Science and Policy, presents information about Ottawa Riverkeeper’s science programs at the 2023 Annual Public Meeting.
“River House is a fantastic location to showcase how swimmable, drinkable and fishable the Ottawa River is and how lucky we are to have this river accessible to people living in the Ottawa area.” Laura Reinsborough, Ottawa Riverkeeper and CEO, explained at the Tuesday evening event.
“Ontario Trillium Foundation’s contribution to having a real-time monitoring station at River House, where over 35,000 people came to swim this summer, is a critical step to support Ottawa Riverkeeper’s efforts to building understanding of the river, water quality data and educational materials which help the public interpret scientific information.“
Laura Reinsborough, Riverkeeper & CEO, reviews Ottawa Riverkeeper’s science programs at the 2023 Annual Public Meeting.
Ottawa Riverkeeper, a charitable organization, is a champion and collective voice for the Ottawa River watershed, providing leadership and inspiration to protect, promote and improve its ecological health and future. Expert and independent, our organization advocates for responsible and participatory decision-making, public education, access to information, and compliance with protective regulations. Guided by a science-based approach, we provide clear information with the aim to engage the public and empower citizens and decision-makers to ensure clean, healthy, and accessible water for all people and species.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation’s (OTF) mission is to build healthy and vibrant communities across Ontario. As an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
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For more information:
Matthew Brocklehurst, Communications Manager
media@ottawariverkeeper.ca