April 9, 2021
Earlier this week, the Ontario government instituted a ‘stay-at-home’ order to help mitigate what appears to be a third wave of COVID-19. The order puts in place a number of severe restrictions on movement and which businesses/organizations are open, partially open, or completely closed.
This does impact Cataraqui Conservation to a certain degree, while allowing us to continue our core services, and retain the ability to keep our conservation lands open, with certain conditions and stipulations in place.
Firstly, the Cataraqui Conservation Administration Office, located on the grounds of Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area, remains closed to the public. All staff are available during business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) by phone or email. The Outdoor Centre at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area is open for washroom use only. On weekends and during the spring break week, there will be a curbside snack bar selling drinks, snacks, maple syrup and new Cataraqui Conservation merchandise. We will also have trail maps and activity sheets like scavenger hunts on hand for visitors.
All in-person weekend and spring programs have been cancelled. Forest Therapy Walks will be conducted online for the duration of the stay-at-home order. Education staff are putting together fun, family-oriented outdoor education and conservation activities for families to do at home, or at our conservation areas. These are available on our website www.cataraquiconservation.ca, under the ‘Education’ tab.
All conservation areas and trails remain open, but visitors are required to follow the protocols put forward by both the provincial government and local health units. These include physical distancing, not gathering with people outside your own household and limiting gatherings to five (5) people. We ask visitors to ‘pack in and pack out’ leaving no trace or refuse behind. All privies will be closed excluding washrooms at the Outdoor Centre at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area, as mentioned above. Please respect other users of our conservation areas and the wildlife that live there by always keeping your dog on a leash and stoop and scoop rules are in effect.
Finally, boat ramps and water access points remain open.
While we encourage everyone to get out into nature as much as possible, especially for the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits being outdoors, we need to ensure the safety of all visitors to our properties, which is why we have put these limitations and policies in place. We are also asking visitors to only park in designated areas. If the parking lot is full, please come back at another time.
For more information on our COVID-19 related policies and procedures, or general information about the services and programs offered by Cataraqui Conservation, including out forestry programs, permits and planning for development projects, source water protection, education and more, visit www.cataraquiconservation.ca.