Friends of Tay Watershed

08/31/2026

This year we celebrate our 25th Anniversary. That's a lot of water under the bridge!

We were delighted to present webmaster Colin Stephenson of a carving, recognizing Colin’s years of dedicated association website care at our Watershed Discovery Day at the Crystal Palace in Perth on August 15. This summer we also launched our beautiful new website designed by Brent Eades and Annie Dalton thanks to a generous grant from the Perth and District Community Foundation. Check it out!

From left, noted local artist carver Carson Thompson, Friends of the Tay Watershed President David Taylor, Colin, wife Marg Stephenson and granddaughter Ryla Stephenson.

Thanks to Tay Valley Township for recognizing this milestone.

Photo: David Zimmerly

Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
Watersheds Canada
Climate Network Lanark
Plenty Canada
OURTurtles
Ottawa Riverkeeper - Garde-rivière des Outaouais
Town of Perth
D/NE Township

08/31/2026

Low-impact development (LIDs) refers to natural structures designed to manage stormwater by mimicking a natural hydrological cycle in urban environments. They work to slow down urban runoff while increasing infiltration and evapotranspiration. LIDs are best used in tandem with gray infrastructure (i.e., stormwater and wastewater drainage), lightening the load on these systems during heavy rain. Here are some examples:
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➡️Rain gardens: Depressions planted with native species that collect runoff from urban areas, allowing water to soak into the ground rather than flow directly into storm drains or nearby waterways.

➡️ Permeable Pavement: Allows rainwater to infiltrate through surfaces such as parking lots, sidewalks, and low-traffic roads, reducing surface runoff and peak storm flows.

➡️ Bioswales: Vegetated, shallow channels designed to slow and filter stormwater runoff. Typically planted with deep-rooted native plants.

Access more free resources and information in our new education toolkit: https://watersheds.ca/floods-droughts/

08/28/2026

A SWELL DAY FOR A SWALE TOUR 🛶

08/26/2026

ASIAN BEETLE ALERT!

08/15/2026

'Edutainment' for the children was cheerfully provided at our Watershed Discovery Day by The Paddling Puppeteer and Heidi from the Perth Library. The kids (of all ages) loved it!

08/15/2026

More happy faces from Watershed Discovery Day at the Crystal Palace in Perth today.

08/15/2026

It was a perfect day at the Crystal Palace in Perth for our Watershed Discovery Day, and to celebrate our 25th Anniversary. Sunny, fresh and warm, thanks to Mother Nature.

Our sincere thanks also to the Farmers Market and to our fellow exhibitors, participants and supporters for their continued help and cooperation. It's very much appreciated!

We were delighted to see so many folks stopping by to learn more about the Tay Watershed and find out how they can help keep this precious resource healthy and clean and protected for generations to come. Visit our beautiful, new website for more information.

We All Live Downstream...

Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
Watersheds Canada
Climate Network Lanark
Plenty Canada
OURTurtles
Ottawa Riverkeeper - Garde-rivière des Outaouais
Town of Perth
Tay Valley Township
D/NE Township

08/11/2026

THIS SATURDAY!

Come out and learn about the Tay Watershed and help us celebrate our 25th Anniversary. We'd love to see you!

🐟 Lots of fun activities for the kids, too 🐢

Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
Watersheds Canada
Climate Network Lanark
Plenty Canada
REAL - Rideau Environmental Action League
OURTurtles
Ottawa Riverkeeper - Garde-rivière des Outaouais
Town of Perth
Tay Valley Township
D/NE Township

08/06/2026

Happy Birthday, Wendell Berry!

08/06/2026

TAKE A TOUR AROUND THE SWALE in a Voyageur Canoe:

This extremely popular tour is on this month on the 22nd of August, 2026. Learn about the wonderful class 1 wetlands right in your own backyard.