South Nation Conservation Holds 78th Annual General Meeting
South Nation Conservation (SNC) hosted its 78th Annual General Meeting on March 20, 2025, at its head office in Finch, Ontario. The meeting highlighted key accomplishments from the past year and included the election of the 2025–2026
Board Executive.
The Board Executive was unanimously re-elected to continue in their roles:
- Steve Densham, Deputy Mayor of North Stormont, as Chair
- Adrian Wynands, Deputy Mayor of Augusta Township, as Vice-Chair
- Catherine Kitts, City of Ottawa Councillor for Orléans-South Navan, was newly elected as
Second Vice-Chair
SNC also congratulates George Darouze, former City of Ottawa Councillor for Osgoode and long-standing SNC Board member, on his election as MPP for Carleton.
SNC’s Board of Directors includes 11 municipal representatives who oversee the Authority’s $13.8 million budget, programs, and services. The Board works closely with staff to advance conservation initiatives across the watershed. In 2024, approximately 33% of the budget was funded through municipal levies from SNC’s 16 member municipalities.
“It’s an honour to continue serving as Chair,” said Steve Densham. “I look forward to building on our team’s achievements and continuing the partnerships that support a healthy local environment.”
The Board also approved SNC’s 2024 Annual Report, which highlights major milestones across the jurisdiction. In 2024, SNC:
- Secured 275 acres of new conservation land through purchase and donation.
- Launched new strategies for Conservation Land and Watershed Management.
- Reviewed over 300 development applications and issued 165 permits under the Conservation Authorities Act, along with 432 septic system permits.
- Completed new floodplain mapping along more than 300 km of the South Nation River, Castor River, and Bear Brook.
- Welcomed a record-breaking 250,000+ visitors to SNC’s Conservation Areas.
- Planted over 140,000 trees and supported more than 140 properties through the
Woodlot Storm Recovery Program. - Delivered $150,000 in cost-share grants to support farm stewardship and
water quality improvements.
“The Annual Report captures the impact of our collective work to protect people, property, and natural resources,” said Carl Bickerdike, SNC’s Chief Administrative Officer. “We’re proud to work alongside our municipalities and partners to support sustainable growth and environmental resilience.”
View the 2024 Annual Report online:
www.nation.on.ca/resources/publications/annual-reports
Learn more about SNC’s Board of Directors and access meeting minutes:
www.nation.on.ca/about/board-directors-and-committees
Media Contact:
Erin Thorne, Communications Specialist
1-877-984-2948 | ethorne@nation.on.ca