Quinte Conservation Envirominute Podcast

Quinte Conservation owns and maintains over 30 Conservation Areas. This week we are featuring Sheffield Conservation Area, located 11 km south of Kaladar and 37 km north of Napanee, on Highway 41. Listen to the podcast to find out more about the wildlife at Sheffield.

There are actions we can all take to protect both water quality and quantity. We can be aware of where our water comes from. We can protect groundwater sources by maintaining wells, keeping septic systems functioning and taking care not to spill contaminants like fuel on the ground. Find out more ways to protect drinking water sources in this week's podcast.

At Quinte Conservation we own and operate 36 dams and water control structures. This week we’re featuring the McLeod Dam. Constructed in 1979, the McLeod Dam is located on the Moira River in Belleville, 200 metres upstream of the College Street Bridge. Find out more in this week's podcast.

The Barn Owl is a species at risk. It needs grassland habitats, and these are being lost to urbanization and changing farm practices. The Barn Owl is a distinct looking owl that can easily be identified by its white heart-shaped face, black eyes, golden colour, pale, lightly speckled under parts, and long legs. Find out more in this week's podcast.

The average Canadian uses more than 300 litres of water a day. That's more than double some European countries. Half of our water use is unnecessary and wasteful. Causes are leaky faucets, faulty plumbing, and over-use of water for watering the lawn and washing the car. Find out more in this week's podcast.

Our activities can have positive effects on land and water resources. Some stewardship actions require little or no effort and others require an investment of time and resources - but they all pay benefits. Find out more in this week's podcast.

The Rusty-patched Bumble Bee was once widespread and common in eastern North America, found from southern Ontario south to Georgia and west to the Dakotas. Now it is a species at risk in Ontario. Find out more in this week's podcast. photo courtesy Christy Stewart

The Eastern Pondmussel was once one of the most common mussels in the Great Lakes. Now the population has diminished drastically. The Invasive Zebra Mussel is largely responsible for the disappearance of this species. Find out more about this endangered species in this week's podcast.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. This year make it a green one. Listen to this week's podcast to find out some environmentally friendly tips for Thanksgiving.

Quinte Conservation owns and operates 36 dams and water control structures. Water levels in lakes and rivers are lowered each fall to provide additional storage space for spring melt waters. Careful consideration goes into altering water levels. Fall fish spawning, boating, navigation and cottager’s needs are all important. Find out more in this week's podcast.

Quinte Conservation has been offering the Stream of Dreams programs in local schools since 2008. The mural’s purpose is to inspire everyone to protect and conserve water to ensure a healthy future for our rivers, lakes, oceans and communities. Find out more in this week's podcast.

Activities on the land and water near drinking water sources can impact water quality and quantity. A Source Protection Plan was developed for the Quinte Region that contains policies to address activities that are potential threats to municipal drinking water sources. Find out more in this week's podcast.

Halloween is right around the corner. This year make it eco-friendly with some tips from Quinte Conservation. Listen to this week's podcast for all the details.

The Toothcup grows along lake and river shorelines on thin, sandy, muddy or gravely soils on Precambrian bedrock. This shoreline habitat is often submerged in the spring and early summer and emerges when the waters recede. Find out more in this week's podcast.

Nearly three million people in Ontario use and depend on groundwater every day. Groundwater supplies us with drinking water and water for agricultural and industrial uses. Find out more in this week's podcast.

As the home base for Quinte Conservation, this area offers an abundance of recreational opportunities. Trails wind through this former farm, past fragrant orchards, open meadows and scenic woodlands. Find out more in this week's podcast.

This dam was constructed in 1982 to replace an old deteriorating structure. The purpose of the dam is to maintain summer water levels in the Salmon River at Forest Mills. Find out more in this week's podcast.

The Least Bittern is a species at risk. The main threat to this bird is the destruction of its wetland habitat. Shoreline development, wetland loss and drainage, and invasive species are all serious threats. Find out more in this week's podcast. photo courtesy Mike Baird

Adopt an Acre of Quinte Conservation Land and help preserve and protect natural heritage lands in your watersheds. We are pleased to offer over 30 magnificent conservation properties open to the public. Find out how you can help protect these spaces in this week's podcast.

If you live in a rural area or if you have a cottage, you probably depend on a septic system for treating your wastewater and sewage. ot everyone who has a septic system knows about it or how it works. Because it's buried under ground, it tends to be out of sight and out of mind. Find out about maintaining your septic tank in this week's podcast.