(The Carp River Conservation Area was a multi-year plan developed by the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority that includes a walking trail – a destination to learn about our local biodiversity and wetlands. Photos: MVCA)
The Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) and Friends of the Carp River invite the public to attend the Discover the Carp River Conservation Area event on Saturday, October 2nd from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The MVCA’s new conservation area is located at the pathway near the intersection of Terry Fox Drive and Kanata Avenue.
Visitors can learn about Carp River’s restoration, as well as plans for the Carp River Living Classroom. Additionally, there will be science activities, a scavenger hunt, information about EcoTrekr, and guided tours available throughout the day. The Briarbrook Morgan’s Grant Community Association will be there to talk about their hydro corridor greenspace restoration and greenspace linkages in Kanata North.
The MVCA has developed a multi-year plan to make the Carp River Conservation Area a destination for learning about biodiversity and wetlands in suburban settings. The Carp River Living Classroom is being developed by the MVCA in collaboration with educators. This program will animate the river and its wetlands for education and discovery by thousands of students from nearby schools in addition to residents.
An interactive, educational mobile app called EcoTrekr was launched by the MVCA this past June to educate users about the river and wetlands. Visitors can download the app to use as they explore along the pathway, helping them learn about what they’re seeing, take quizzes, and earn badges.
Other features planned over the next few years include an osprey nesting tower, wildlife boxes, more interpretive signs, and the development of a curriculum to be used by schools.
Unique within Ottawa, the Carp River Conservation Area demonstrates how a restored river and its wetlands can provide recreation and ecoservices for adjacent and downstream communities within a densely-developed suburban area. The approach of Low Impact Development uses green infrastructure to deliver the following benefits:
- protect water quality by capturing and filtering stormwater
- mitigate flooding
- control erosion and reduce sedimentation
- provide groundwater recharge and discharge
- provide habitat for fish and wildlife
- sequester carbon
- offer pathways for walking, biking, and wildlife observation
Visitors to the Discover the Carp River Conservation Area event on Saturday, October 2nd can park at Insmill Park (close to the Kanata Avenue intersection).