Springwater Conservation Area

Reminder: Our trails (Springwater Forest, Archie Coulter CA, and Yarmouth Natural Heritage Area) are open year-round with parking access. Please remember the $3.00 trail donation fee. All money collected from trail donations, go directly back into maintenance and care of our trails and forests. Happy hiking and see you in nature! *Our Day Use Area and Campground is closed, this includes fishing docks, the beach, the playground, and all buildings. We do not have any washroom facilities on site.

GIFT IDEA Purchase a print or canvas of your favourite Springwater CA photo (options below) and a portion of the sale is donated towards our new Visitor Centre. Support local this holiday season!

Thank you EPCOR Canada!!!

Trail Closure The Springwater North Shore Trail will be closed from Dec 2 until Dec 4 for hazard tree removal. Please use the other trails or visit another of our Conservation Areas.

Happy December Not only is it the first of December, but it's also #GivingTuesday! We know its been a long and difficult year for everyone, but if you have ...the capacity, please consider donating to the new Springwater Visitor Centre. It is our biggest fundraiser to date and for good reason. We have to construct a whole new building that will be more functional, effective and social distancing friendly! If you need anymore information please visit our website: http://www.catfishcreek.ca/our-supporters/fundraising/ See more

An FYI for anyone planning on visiting Yarmouth Natural Heritage Area tomorrow (Thursday November 19th):

#DYK that the Catfish Creek Conservation Authority is a registered charity? Meaning we can issue a taxable receipt for any donations. Donate today: https://bit.ly/34Tps31

Thank you Cyril J. Demeyere Limited for your generous donation towards the Visitor Centre! CJDL Consulting Engineering specialize in municipal and private civil engineering projects. They are proud Maple Sponsors as well! We thank Peter and everyone else for their support. https://bit.ly/2KDfafF

Thank you A1 Unique Installations for your generous donation towards the Visitor Centre at Springwater CA! A1 Unique Installations is a family operated business doing renovations, proudly serving St. Thomas, London and surrounding area. Founder John Brouwer recently passed away and as a big lover and supporter of Springwater Conservation Area, in lieu of flowers the family has asked for donations in support of the new Visitor Centre. We thank Bob & Karen Brouwer and everyone else for their support. https://bit.ly/369qDux

Update on our Admin. Centre: **Any questions regarding Springwater Conservation Area can still be answered through [email protected] or [email protected]

Do you like working outside and advocating for conservation and the environment? Click the link below to learn more about the CCCA's job opportunity. REMINDER Applications are due by THIS Friday!

Do you know someone with a background in environmental management that is underemployed? The CCCA is hiring 4 individuals for a 42-week contract. The deadline is fast approaching (September 18) apply today! More info on our website at the link below.

As we enter the Fall Season we hope that you were able to find some solace at the Springwater Conservation Area during this challenging year. FALL HOURS for the Springwater Main Gatehouse/Store from September 7 to October 12, 2020: Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. // Saturdays, Sundays & Thanksgiving Day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.... The Main Gatehouse/Store will close for the season on Thanksgiving Day at 5:00 p.m.

Come see the fall colours at the Springwater Forest! Camping open until Thanksgiving Day (October 12, 2020). To reserve a campsite, please call 519-773-9037.

Please take caution if you're visiting our trails or Conservation Areas today:

Good morning! DRUM ROLL PLEASE..... Here are your winners for the 2020 Aylmer Fair - Catfish Creek Art Contest!!!!!!... There was some tough competition, especially in our 20+ age category as they had the most entries!! Thank you to everyone who entered; we truly enjoyed seeing all the creativity out in our community. Take care, Ranger Em, Catfish Creek Conservation Authority, and Aylmer Fair

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Aylmer Fair - Catfish Creek Art Contest! Winners will be announced soon!

A reminder as we head into another weekend: everything you bring in with you, must be taken with you.

ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE Attention Campers & Visitors of the Springwater Conservation Area starting THIS Monday (August 17) Southdale Line will be closed between Quaker Road & Hobson Road for bridge work by the Municipality of Central Elgin and Elgin County. Please use John Wise Line or Talbot Line / Highway 3 to get to the Conservation Area.

Enter the Aylmer Fair-Catfish Creek Art Contest! You could win free passes to the Aylmer Fair 2021, a seasonal pass to Springwater CA or even some maple syrup! Contest ends this Saturday!! Send entries to: [email protected]... You can find all the details at: https://www.catfishcreek.ca/aylmer-fair-x-catfish-creek-co/ Aylmer Fair St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre Davenport Public School East Elgin Secondary School McGregor Public school Assumption Catholic School Aylmer Summers Corners Public School Springfield Public School - TVDSB Thames Valley District School Board London District Catholic School Board

Have you been enjoying the cooler, misty, and foggy mornings of late? They sure do make for some fun(gi) pictures! A reminder: foraging is NOT permitted on Conservation-owned property (this includes mushrooms, plants, or growth of any kind).... We love fostering an appreciation and love for the environment but it must be done so in a responsible manner. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/2Nmuwmg Photos all taken by Ranger Em

The Deadline for the Aylmer Fair- Catfish Creek CA Art Contest is coming up fast! Get your entries in now! Find the rules and more information at: https://www.catfishcreek.ca/aylmer-fair-x-catfish-creek-co/ ... Aylmer Fair The Aylmer Express

As we head into the Long Weekend, we want to invite everyone to try the beach at Springwater Conservation Area! A $10.00 vehicle day pass is required. We also wanted to remind people of the rules & regulations. Hope to see you out this weekend.

Today Ranger Em filmed with Rogers tv London all about Conservation Authorities in Ontario, get an overview by watching this video:

Can you spot what doesn't belong? A friendly reminder, as dog owners you are responsible for your dog's waste as well. Tie it to your dog's leash if you don't want to carry it. Walk it out with you instead of taking the time to tie it to a tree. I can tell you the wildlife doesn't want your dog's poop even more than you. Please respect nature and keep it clean. ... * Photo is from Yarmouth Natural Heritage Area, but unfortunately these scenes are also common in Archie Coulter CA and Springwater CA. Read the original post to understand why we do not have garbage cans.

The CCCA is currently accepting applications for a 6-week Park Technician position (there is a possibility for an extension). All applicants MUST complete and submit a Seasonal Employment Application Form and resume to be considered. Find the application and job description here: https://bit.ly/308fG9w

GOOD NEWS! The Catfish Art Challenge 2020 has joined with the Aylmer Fair and will now be the annual Art Contest the Aylmer Fair normally runs with THREE themes this year: AGRICULTURE, FAIR, and NATURE... This collaboration between Aylmer Fair and the Catfish Creek Conservation Authority will hopefully continue into future years, for when the Aylmer Fair runs as normal. NOTHING has changed from the Art Challenge that we started in June, we are just hoping to reach more people, and have extended the due date until AUGUST 15th!!!!! This being said, all participates who have entered the challenge to date, will still be included and in the running to win the prize (PRIZE ANNOUNCEMENT COMING SOON). For anymore details please visit: https://bit.ly/3gXfocy The Aylmer Express St. Thomas Times-Journal Township of Malahide Municipality of Central Elgin The Town of Aylmer

A reminder for when you are visiting Springwater Conservation Area or any other Conservation Area, Natural Heritage Area or Wildlife Management Area, foraging is NOT allowed. These are places for us to enjoy, but also places for wildlife to live and thrive in peace. Let's work together to help protect nature.

New Gatehouse hours for the rest of the summer! Reach our amazing Gate Staff from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily for all your camping needs Reminder: the beach is open! Come on over to the Day Use Area tomorrow for Canada Day - day passes are only $10 per vehicle!

GREAT NEWS! The Catfish Art Challenge 2020 has been extended until July 31st due to high interest! We are LOVING all of the entries so far. Such a creative watershed (and even beyond!), keep the creativity rolling by sharing with your friends! Find all the details here: https://www.catfishcreek.ca/environme/learn-with-ranger-em/ Let's get creative in nature!

Happy Summer Solstice Enjoy the warmer weather. Experience nature. Stay safe and take care. We'll see you on the trails!

Hey kids, are you looking for the perfect Father's Day idea? Bring dad and come fishing at Springwater Conservation Area! We stocked the pond with trout and have worms for sale! *Please note, this year we will not be able to offer fishing rods, canoes, kayaks and life jackets for rent due to COVID-19.

We are excited to welcome everyone back this weekend for transient camping! We have made a handout with some tips to make your camping trip safe and fun. A downloadable PDF is on our website here: https://bit.ly/3fFyRxJ

Hi all, Ranger Em here! I know it's been a while, but I'm back and this time I learned all about incubating chicken eggs! Watch and learn with my on all the neat things chickens can do for us in our own backyard! Watch all the way to the end for a fun opportunity to help name my chickies!! Comment below this video if you have any questions, I will try and answer them with the help of my EGG-cellent friends Sonya and Jamie, who allowed this project to happen.

Are you gardened-out? Is baking so last week? Well, we think its time to bring our artistic side out! The Catfish Art Challenge 2020!!! We are looking for your very best artistic abilities. To be considered, your art must be nature-based in some way, some examples include:... Using pieces of nature in your art (sticks, flowers, etc.) Sketching Springwater Pond Embroidering flowers Painting a landscape picture of a lovely Carolinian Forest (hello Springwater) A picture/video of nature Art is so far-reaching, that there are so many ways to participate in this challenge, be creative and innovative! The age categories will be: The Mighty Maple Minis: 2-5 years old The Outstanding Oaks: 5-9 years old The Terrific Tulips: 10-13 years old The Sassy Sassafras: 14-19 years old The Wise Willows: 20+ years When you have your art complete, please send a picture, scanned copy, etc., to Ranger Em at [email protected] or you can send it via Facebook to Springwater Conservation Area. We will be accepting entries until June 24th!

The moment we've all been waiting for!! Reservations open THIS Friday (June 12, 2020) at 8:30 a.m. Un-serviced, 15-amp, and 30-amp sites will be available. Please call 519-773-9037 with a Visa or MasterCard to book. This infographic has lots of updates so make sure you give it a through read!

Attention!! News about the upcoming camping season:

Didn't get your maple fix this year? Not to worry the Springwater Main Gatehouse / Store is open daily from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm stocked with all the maple treats!

Heading into the weekend the Catfish Creek Conservation Authority would like to remind visitors trails are open for walk-through access (hiking, biking, birdwatching, and walking are all acceptable activities). Please remember to put a donation of $3 into the yellow trail boxes that are located at the entrance of every trail. Furthermore, visitors are now allowed to bring their own boat for canoeing and kayaking. Fishing is also now permitted. To participate in these activit...ies, visitors must have a pass, please visit the Springwater Gatehouse that is located at 8059 Springwater Road, to purchase a $10 day pass. The Beach remains CLOSED. Gatherings of more than 5 people are still NOT permitted. Springwater CA is currently not renting canoes or kayaks, nor do we have worms at this time. Paddleboarding and motorized boats are not permitted in Springwater Pond.

Good morning everyone! On this rainy day, read about the cool creatures - Opossums! They may not be the prettiest animal around but the Opossum is an incredibly unique and misunderstood creature. It is North America's only marsupial (they keep their young in a pouch!) and have a prehensile tail (like a monkey they can grasp things with their tails). The Opossum was naturally introduced to Ontario, as it's natural distribution range is being pushed north due to Climate Change..., and to be honest, we couldn't be more thrilled. Opossums really help keep our neighbourhoods and natural areas clean. They eat up roadkill, rotting veggies, and eat THOUSANDS of ticks - therefore insanely valuable for preventing the spread of Lyme Disease. Read more in the link below! - Ranger Em

UPDATE - Please read fully: The Springwater Beach remains closed as it falls under the Ontario Government's closure of all public beaches. You can now participate in fishing, canoeing, kayaking and other water activities in Springwater Conservation Area. The Day Use parking area and facilities remain closed. Please park in the Springwater Conservation Area parking area across from the CCCA Admin Centre at 8079 Springwater Road. Please visit the Campground Gatehouse from 9 a.m....-4 p.m. everyday to purchase your $10.00 pass. We ask you still follow physical distancing requirements set by the Ontario Government and the Southwestern Public Health Unit. Anyone without pass, will be asked to leave. P.S. Paddle-boarding, motorized and inflatables are not allowed in Springwater Pond. Thank you for your patience and understanding on this matter.

As the temperature warms up, visitors to campgrounds, trails and any outdoor spaces should be reminded about ticks! #DYK that ticks are active year-round? They can survive our Canadian winters! Ticks can be as small as a period at the end of a sentence or as big as a pea, when feeding. They are commonly confused as freckles, so it is important to check yourself and others thoroughly and carefully after being outside. Here are some more resources if you have any tick related ...questions: https://www.swpublichealth.ca//vect/ticks-and-lyme-disease https://www.ontario.ca/page/lyme-disease https://canlyme.com/lyme-basics/ #LymeDiseaseAwarenessMonth Malahide Township Municipality of Central Elgin City of St Thomas The Town of Aylmer South-West Oxford