Review-Mirror

The Foley Mountain Conservation Area will be offering free morning 'Forest School' programs until August 27 and three one-week day camps. Forest School is an opportunity to experience nature hands-on as a fami- ly and to connect with the outdoors and natural world. It is an opportunity to spend time wandering and playing in the forest, exploring new treasures, listening to stories and building creations after a lovely hike. The 12-morning series began on April 30 and continues next Monday May28, June 25 and then almost weekly this sum- mer on July 5,12, 23, and 26 and on August 2, 9,16, 23, and 27. The Forest School mornings are drop-in with everyone welcome. Pre- registration is not required. Children should be accompanied by an adult. One week day camp programs for children ages 6 to 12 will be held July 16 to 20, July 30 to August 3 and August 13 to 17. The programs are led by experienced outdoor educators and include nature exploration, games, crafts, and more. Registration forms are available at the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority website www.rvca.ca and further information can be gained by calling Rebecca Whit- man at 273- 3255. Spring is finally here and with it the launch of this region's 1000 Islands and Rideau Canal Gar- den Trail. This acclaimed garden trail is part of Canada's Garden Route. It gained national notoriety last year when it was the only trail given the 'Canada 150 Garden Experience Designation'. "A vision of a must- see destination has been achieved," said David Cybulski, Co-Chair of the 1000 Islands and Rideau Canal Garden Trail. "It is important for us to reflect and celebrate our trail success high- lighting our natural beau- ty within the world- renowned landscapes of the Rideau Canal Corri- dor, Frontenac Arch Biosphere, 1000 Islands and the St. Lawrence River," he said. In 2015, the Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office launched the 1000 Islands and Rideau Canal Garden Trail ini- tiative linking private and public gardens and garden centre displays throughout Leeds Grenville including Diane and Keith Hask- ins' home on Freeland Road near Portland. The trail is now in its fourth season with many unique gardens featuring perennials, shrubs, trees and food production. The gardens showcase a range of plant matter from native plants to the uncommon. Specialty beds include shade, sun, bog, woodland, scree and pollinator gardens. Added experiences include native butterflies, honeybees and birds, monarch butterfly way stations, fountains, ponds, contemporary art exhibits, statuary and so much more. "Tourism is important to all of our communities in Leeds Grenville," said Robin Jones, Warden for the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. "The time and commit- ment each garden has made to the trail is greatly appreciated by Counties Council." Leeds Grenville has taken a leadership role in facilitating collaboration to develop new tourism products. "Garden tourism is on- trend as a key travel motivator that results in new revenues being gen- erated in local business- es," said Ann Weir, Eco- nomic Development Manager for the United Counties of Leeds Grenville and Co-Chair of the Trail. "More than 142-mil- lion consumers are with- in a day's drive. Leeds Grenville is part of Regional Tourism Orga- nization 9, which in 2016 saw nearly 8 million vis- itors that generated over $800 million in direct spending," she said. Both guided and self- guided tours are avail- able. For garden hours and contact information, visit the website by searching Leeds Grenville Garden Trail. Brochures are available at each site as well as various tourism centres throughout the region. Popular garden trail ready for 2018 season The Review-Mirror May 24, 2018 – 11 More than 30 new classes will be visiting the Rideau Valley Conserva- tion Authority's two flag- ship outdoor education centres thanks to special funding through the Rideau Valley Conserva- tion Foundation, the Ottawa Community Foun- dation and TD Friends of the Environment. Subsidies are now available to cover busing costs for schools visiting Baxter and Foley Moun- tain. Separate subsides are also available to priority schools visiting Baxter who need assistance cover- ing program and busing costs. Baxter Conservation Area, near Kars and Foley Mountain Conservation Area in Westport will wel- come some 1,800 addition- al students during the 2018-2019 school year thanks to this funding. Owned and operated by the Rideau Valley Conser- vation Authority (RVCA) these two popular outdoor destinations offer educa- tion programming year- round to nursery schools, day cares, home schooling groups, public and private schools and community groups. Each year, over 10,000 children participate in these interactive, cur- riculum-based programs. Programs can be a half- day or a full-day and look to provide students with a strong understanding of our natural world, how it functions and how humans fit into it. Topics include beaver pond ecology, for- est habitats, orienteering and snowshoeing. All pro- grams are interactive and experiential to provide stu- dents with a "hands-on" approach to learning about natural science in their "Ecology Lab." "We are constantly looking for ways to make our programing more accessible," said Rebecca Whitman, Foley Mountain Conservation Area Super- visor and Interpreter. "We look to remove barriers — through acces- sible trails, low program cost and now special subsi- dies." Teachers who are inter- ested in this opportunity are invited to contact Bax- ter and Foley Mountain Conservation Areas direct- ly. "We are looking to fos- ter a lifelong relationship between children and the natural world," said Whit- man. "Learning outdoors is a wonderful adventure and we believe children learn best by doing." To learn more about outdoor education pro- grams, day camps and other outdoor learning at Baxter and Foley Moun- tain Conservation Areas, visit www.rvca.ca. Funding available to help children experience outdoor education The North Crosby Tennis Club had their annual registration and welcome to new members on Sunday at Shillington Park. The directors are convening some play to bring members together of all levels of skill. Memberships are available at Lake Effects in Westport or by calling David Church at 613-273-9222 to make arrange- ments. From left, Chuck Gobeil, Megan Bomberry-Cowan, June Finless, Carl Wyse, Connie Scott, Dave Balfour and David Church. St. Edward golf tournament Saturday St. Edward School is hosting their annual golf tour- nament at Rideau Lakes Golf & Country Club this Sat- urday. The 9-hole best ball starts with registration at 8 a.m and a shotgun start at 9 a.m. The cost is $50 per person and includes golf, lunch, putting contest, hole-in-one prize and door prizes. For more information or to register, contact St. Edward Catholic School at 613-273-2926 or email shawn.retty@cdsbeo.on.ca. A L A G S O PR L H N R E S I A R D N U F A G S O PR N O . F O R F L A G . A . T . 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