Environmental education is an important communication tool for the essential programs and services provided by the GRCA. Among many other responsibilities, our Conservation Authority helps to protect people and property from natural hazards such as flooding, manages land for conservation and recreation, and assists in the protection of drinking water sources. The success of these programs is contingent upon our awareness and buy-in from the local community.

Public Events

Every year, the GRCA hosts several public events to connect with our watershed residents. These events draw attention to the risks posed by natural hazards and invasive species, create opportunities to explore recreation opportunities in our conservation lands, and promote understanding of the natural heritage features that necessitate action to protect.

through these events we seek to engage the public as partners in our watershed’s adaptation to climate change, in protection of our drinking water sources, and in building healthy sustainable communities.

Schedule of Public Events for 2022
Our public events for 2022 have been suspended until further notice out of consideration for the necessary public health measures during the global pandemic. Please connect with us on our social media or contact us at 905-885-8173 to be alerted to the relaunch of our public events.

Spring Water Awareness Program (SWAP)
The GRCA, in partnership with Ontario Power Generation (OPG), offers an in-school outreach program in late February and early March at no cost to Grade 4 students in the Northumberland & Clarington area. The SWAP Program highlights the changes to our rivers and lakes that occur during the spring season, and immerses students in engaging experiments to illustrate the dangers of exploring these fast-moving streams, ice-strewn beaches, and melting lakes.

The important message for our watershed youth: Stay Away!
We will play, we will laugh, and we will learn, but in the process, we will also save children’s lives!

SWAP is a one-hour program that we bring to your classroom. After a brief presentation, students participate in a series of exciting experiments and challenges. This program is free of charge to students in our watershed as a result of our partnership with OPG. Prepare to be thrilled and chilled!

If you are interested in participating in this year’s program, please contact us to secure your date. Please note that SWAP bookings are accepted on a first come, first serve basis, and that dates may be subject to change without prior notice. We hope to see you this spring.

Did You Know?

Flooding was the driving force behind the creation of the GRCA to manage the Ganaraska River watershed. The relentless spring flooding of the town of Port Hope at the turn of 20th century provided the impetus for government leaders to investigate the Ganaraska watershed and set aside its headlands to re-establish the Ganaraska Forest.

This conservation effort led to a dramatic reduction in flood events in the subsequent decades; however, the frequency of flooding events is slated to increase in the future with the forthcoming increase in storm severity as a result of climate change.

It has become our mission to ensure that all youth in our communities are aware of the risks of playing near water in the spring season.