COVID-19 Updates
February 28, 2022 Updates
Starting on February 28, 2022, visitors will no longer be required to complete screening forms prior to entering the John Hix Administration Centre. Opening hours are from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. from Monday – Friday, except for 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. If you arrived between 12:00 p.m. and 1 p.m., feel free to explore our Tiffin Conservation Area.
Walk-in services for permit applications have been temporarily suspended. If you are looking to talk to one of our Regulations Technicians in person about permit applications, please call 705-424-1479 to schedule an appointment.
June 11, 2021 Updates
Starting on Monday, June 14, 2021, NVCA's John Hix Administration Centre will be once again be open to the public. Opening hours are from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. from Monday – Friday, except for 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. If you arrived between 12:00 p.m. and 1 p.m., feel free to explore our Tiffin Conservation Area.
Anyone looking to drop off packages, purchase annual parking passes for NVCA conservation areas or have any other in person inquiries (with the exception of permit consultations) are welcome to come by the John Hix Administration Building at 8195 8th Line, Utopia ON.
Visitors will be required to complete a screening form prior to entering the building. Once complete, please knock on the door and our receptionist will come and greet you. Please remember that masks are required upon entry as well.
Walk-in services for permit applications have been temporarily suspended. If you are looking to talk to one of our Regulations Technicians in person about permit applications, please call 705-424-1479 to schedule an appointment.
Conservation areas remain open to the public.
April 6, 2021 Updates
Following the announcement of the Provincial Shutdown, NVCA's John Hix Administration Centre will be closed to the public until the shutdown is lifted. NVCA staff is committed to continue to provide service to our residents, municipalities and stakeholders. Here is some information about how to contact NVCA staff:
- Maple syrup orders and pickup will continue. If you are coming to pick up Maple Syrup. you will be asked to step outside while staff puts your order on the table between the doors.
- NVCA permit pre-consultations will continue to be available. Watershed residents looking to book a pre-consultation regarding permits can email permits@nvca.on.ca to book a telephone meeting with our regulations staff. Pre-consultation meeting requests will be processed in the order they are received.
- Regulations staff will be available to answer any questions regarding permit applications. Please email your questions to permits@nvca.on.ca.
- Planning staff will be available to assist with planning applications. Please email any questions regarding planning applications to planning@nvca.on.ca.
- Meetings scheduled with staff will be cancelled, rescheduled or conducted virtually via conference calls or regular phone calls.
- If you wish to email a staff member or leave them a voice mail message, visit our staff directory for email addresses and phone extensions.
- If you are unsure which staff member to contact, please email us at admin@nvca.on.ca and we will forward your message to the appropriate person.
- NVCA is still receiving mail. Please leave any deliveries between the two reception doors during business hours (8:30 am – 4:30 pm).
NVCA will continue to monitor watershed conditions for flooding, and will issue flood messages as necessary. Staff will be working closely with municipalities in this regard.
Conservation areas remain open to the public. Please keep family and pets away from the edges of all waterways and water bodies.
March 8, 2021 Updates
NVCA's John Hix Administration Centre will be once again open its doors to the public. Opening hours are from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. from Monday – Friday, except for 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. If you arrived between 12:00 p.m. and 1 p.m., feel free to explore our beautiful Tiffin Conservation Area.
Anyone looking to drop off packages, purchase annual parking passes for NVCA conservation areas or have any other in person inquiries (with the exception of permit consultations) are welcome to come by the John Hix Administration Building at 8195 8th Line, Utopia ON.
Visitors will be required to complete a screening form prior to entering the building. Once complete, please knock on the door and our receptionist will come and greet you. Please remember that masks are required upon entry as well.
Walk-in services for permit applications have been temporarily suspended. If you are looking to talk to one of our Regulations Technicians in person about permit applications, please call 705-424-1479 to schedule an appointment.
Conservation areas remain open to the public. Please keep family and pets away from the edges of all waterways and water bodies.
January 4, 2021 Updates
As Southern Ontario enters into lockdown, NVCA's administration offices will be closed to the public until the lockdown is lifted. NVCA staff will continue to provide service to our residents, municipalities and stakeholders. Here is some information about how to contact NVCA staff:
- NVCA permit pre-consultations will continue to be available. Watershed residents looking to book a pre-consultation regarding permits can email permits@nvca.on.ca to book a telephone meeting with our regulations staff. Pre-consultation meeting requests will be processed in the order they are received.
- Regulations staff will be available to answer any questions regarding permit applications. Please email your questions to permits@nvca.on.ca.
- Planning staff will be available to assist with planning applications. Please email any questions regarding planning applications to planning@nvca.on.ca.
- Meetings scheduled with staff will be cancelled, rescheduled or conducted virtually via conference calls or regular phone calls.
- If you wish to email a staff member or leave them a voice mail message, visit our staff directory for email addresses and phone extensions.
- If you are unsure which staff member to contact, please email us at admin@nvca.on.ca and we will forward your message to the appropriate person.
- NVCA is still receiving mail. Please leave any deliveries between the two reception doors during business hours (8:30 am – 4:30 pm).
NVCA will continue to monitor watershed conditions for flooding, and will issue flood messages as necessary. Staff will be working closely with municipalities in this regard.
Conservation areas remain open to the public. Please keep family and pets away from the edges of all waterways and water bodies.
October 5, 2020 Updates
On October 2, 2020, the Province of Ontario suggested Ontarians limit gatherings to immediate households only. With this recommendation, most NVCA staff will be working from home until further notice.
The John Hix Administration Centre will continue to be open to the public from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. from Monday – Friday, except for 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. If you arrived between 12:00 p.m. and 1 p.m., feel free to explore our beautiful Tiffin Conservation Area.
August 4, 2020 Updates
Good news! NVCA is reopening its doors to the public after five months of closure. Our office will be reopening in two stages
Stage one: August 10 – September 4, 2020
NVCA offices will be partially open to the public from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
Anyone looking to drop off packages, purchase annual parking passes for NVCA conservation areas or have any other in person inquiries (with the exception of permit consultations) are welcome to come by the John Hix Administration Building at 8195 8th Line, Utopia ON.
Walk-in services for permit applications have been temporarily suspended. If you are looking to talk to one of our Regulations Technicians in person about permit applications, please call 705-424-1479 to schedule an appointment.
Please note that NVCA is following Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit COVID-19 guidelines. Visitors will be required masks and physical distance entering our administration offices.
Stage two: September 8, 2020 onwards
NVCA will resume operating during regular hours, from 8:30 – 4:00. Anyone with inquiries are welcome to walk-in to John Hix Administration Building, with the exception of permit consultations.
Walk-in services for permit applications will continue to be suspended until further notice. If you are looking to talk to one of our Regulations Technicians in person about permit applications, please call 705-424-1479 to schedule an appointment.
NVCA will continue to follow Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit COVID-19 guidelines. The requirement to wear masks and physical distance while inside our administration offices will continue until further notice from the health unit.
June 2, 2020 Updates
After careful consideration of the risks involved, and the safety measures that would need to be in place to run programs safely, the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) has decided to cancel this summer’s Camp Tiffin.
While Camp Tiffin offers so many opportunities for adequate social distancing and minimal multiple touching of shared resources, it is the time spent eating and using the washrooms that would be the most challenging.
If the Government of Ontario relaxes physical distancing and sanitation requirements, the NVCA may consider holding modified environmental education programs. However, these programs will only happen if there is interest from families and if they can be held safely.
For more information, please read our media release.
May 26, 2020 Updates
The organizers of Festival at Fort Willow have decided to cancel the 2020 festival due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Held in September each year, the festival brings to life the daily activities of British soldiers, camp followers and indigenous people living in Simcoe County in 1812. Smaller scale events may be held if the Government of Ontario advises that it is safe to do so.
May 13, 2020 Updates
After weeks of closure, the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) is finally reopening conservation areas for public use on Friday, May 15, 2020. To ensure the safety of the community, only walking trails are open at this time. Buildings and bathrooms are closed for the time being.
Our staff started to check and maintain the trails this past Monday. We understand everyone's frustration about wanting to get back to our conservation areas as soon as possible, but the safety of our visitors and staff are our highest priority.
Preparations include:
- Checking many kilometres of trails for hazards and safety concerns.
- Removing the barricades from parking lot entranceways.
- Installing safe social distancing signage
- Performing enhanced maintenance and cleaning operations.
- Coordinating with applicable municipal partner authorities (police, fire departments, by-law) and other land management agencies.
- The NVCA asks visitors to respect physical distancing rules and not to gather in groups of larger than five people, and staying at least 2 metres (or 6 feet) away from other groups.
- Visitors to NVCA's conservation areas are required to purchase a daily parking pass ($6.50/day) or an annual parking pass ($45/year).
- Daily parking passes are available for purchase at the conservation area or at home. To purchase an annual parking pass, please email
admin@nvca.on.ca.
The NVCA asks visitors to respect physical distancing rules and not to gather in groups of larger than five people, and staying at least 2 metres (or 6 feet) away from other groups.
April 27, 2020 Updates
Regulations staff will continue our review permit applications in a timely fashion. For general inquiries, including real estate inquiries, please fill out the
online Property Inquiry Form and you will receive a response within 48 hours. To inquire about your current application, or for immediate assistance, please email
permits@nvca.on.ca.
April 16, 2020 Updates
At this time, most NVCA staff continue to work from home and checking voicemail intermittently. Calls received by our front desk staff will most likely be transferred to voicemail, therefore, the best way to get hold of staff is through email. If you wish to contact a staff member, please refer to our staff directory for email addresses.
We are monitoring watershed conditions for flooding, and will issue flood messages as necessary. Staff will be working closely with municipalities in this regard.
Click here for information about submitting permit applications and planning reviews during COVID-19.
April 8, 2020 Updates
As the NVCA is unable to ensure safe physical distancing during our annual Arbour Day tree sale, we have made the decision to cancel the popular event this year. We understand this may be a disappointment for many, however, the safety of our staff, visitors and the community is our priority.
However, we are still accepting tree planting applications for the Spring of 2021. The minimum requirements for tree planting is 1 acre or 500 trees.
April 3, 2020 Updates
Effective immediately and until further notice, all NVCA conservation areas and trails will be closed to all members of public, including annual membership pass holders and hunters.
This closure has been put in place to ensure the safety of the public. NVCA trails and conservation areas will not be maintained during this closure.
NVCA will continue to monitor the developments of COVID-19 and re-open our conservation areas when deemed safe for public use.
March 23, 2020 Updates
As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, most NVCA staff are currently working remotely, and checking voicemail intermittently. You may experience some delays or disruptions as we follow recommendations of health professionals to slow the virus from spreading.
Calls received by our front desk staff will most likely be transferred to voicemail, therefore, the best way to get hold of staff is through email. If you wish to contact a staff member, please refer to our staff directory for email addresses.
NVCA will continue to monitor watershed conditions for flooding, and will issue flood messages as necessary. Staff will be working closely with municipalities in this regard.
Regulations staff will continue our review permit applications in a timely fashion. For general inquiries, including real estate inquiries, please fill out the
online Property Inquiry Form and you will receive a response within 48 hours. To inquire about your current application, or for immediate assistance, please call our administration office at 705-424-1479.
Conservation Areas remain open to the public. We ask that visitors maintain physical distance from each other and respect conservation area properties.
March 17, 2020 Updates
Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority to be closed to the public to prevent spread of COVID-19 as of March 18, 2020
For the safety of our staff, visitors and healthcare workers in our community, the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) has made the difficult but necessary decision to close the John Hix Administrative Office and Jose Environmental Learning Centre to the public. NVCA staff will continue to provide service to our residents, municipalities and stakeholders. To contact staff, please refer to the following points:
- NVCA permit pre-consultations will continue to be available. Watershed residents looking to book a pre-consultation regarding permits can email
permits@nvca.on.ca to book a telephone meeting with our regulations staff. Pre-consultation meeting requests will be processed in the order they are received.
- Regulations staff will be available to answer any questions regarding permit applications. Please email your questions to
permits@nvca.on.ca.
- Planning staff will be available to assist with planning applications. Please email any questions regarding planning applications to
planning@nvca.on.ca.
- Meetings scheduled with staff will be cancelled, rescheduled or conducted virtually via conference calls or regular phone calls.
- If you wish to email a staff member or leave them a voice mail message, visit our
staff directory for email addresses and phone extensions.
- If you are unsure which staff member to contact, please email us at
admin@nvca.on.ca and we will forward your message to the appropriate person.
- NVCA is still receiving mail. Please leave any deliveries between the two reception doors during business hours (8:30 am – 4:30 pm).
NVCA will continue to monitor watershed conditions for flooding, and will issue flood messages as necessary. Staff will be working closely with municipalities in this regard. Bathrooms in all conservation areas will be closed.
Although all public events are cancelled, NVCA's conservation areas remain open to the public and are free of charge until April 30. Please continue to stay diligent and practice social distancing while you enjoy the fresh air.
While we anticipate reopening our offices to the public on Monday, April 6, we will continue monitoring this situation closely and will provide updates as needed.
We appreciate your understanding as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve.
March 15, 2020 Updates
To ensure the safety of volunteers and visitors, the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority is following the guidelines from local health units and recommendations from provincial and federal health officials. As a result, the following events are cancelled:
- March Break Camp Tiffin
-
Maple Syrup Family Days (March Break Family Days)
- Lights off Adventure On (Earth Hour event)
- Spring Tonic Maple Syrup Festival
Walk-in service for NVCA Permits pre-consultation will remain open.
The health, safety and well-being of our staff, volunteers and visitors are our top priority. The NVCA is
committed to providing a safe environment and are actively taking steps to protect our staff, clients and the broader community.
- Enhanced cleaning protocols, with particular focus on high traffic and high contact areas and common areas.
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Coronaviruses can be eliminated by routine surface cleaning and the cleaning products we use are industrial-grade.
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We have hand sanitizer located in hallway sink in the education centre, and at the buildings main doorways.
- Water and soap will be available for hand-washing.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Please check our website for further updates.
