Watts Creek

Watts Creek is located on the NCC pathway close to the Corkstown Road entrance. There is some on street parking at Corkstown Rd. as well as parking at the nearby OC Transpo park and ride lot located at Eagleson Rd &, ON-417, Ottawa, ON K2L 4C6. There is also a bus route that can be utilized for those wanting to use transit. Once at the entrance to the NCC Watts Creek Pathway the planting site is 0.7 km down the paved pathway. There will be TD Tree Days directional signage on site to help guide volunteers, please also review the map coordinates by expanding the map at the top of this registration page.

Safety note: There might be some wild Parsnip on site which is a plant that can cause skin irritation or rash. As part of the site preparation, the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority is working on removing as much of this as possible from the site. Volunteers will receive safety information about this on site and instructions on how to avoid this plant. Volunteers should wear close toed shoes, socks, and long pants, as well as a long-sleeved shirt or layers. Volunteers will also receive gardening gloves on site. 

TD Tree Days events are hosted by local not-for-profits, municipalities, and Indigenous groups that specialize in environmental stewardship. They provide the planting stock and prepare the site.

When you arrive on site, you will check-in with your Site Leader(s) and/or Planting Coordinator(s) and receive your gardening gloves. The event itself will begin with a welcome from the Site Leader and a planting demonstration. Event duration times vary from approximately 1.5 - 3 hours, and volunteers should arrive 15 minutes prior to the start time to check-in.

Volunteers need to be prepared for physical activity including digging, lifting, and planting, and may be asked to do other planting activities such as mulching, securing mulch mats, placing tree guards, and watering. You will have access to drinking water at the event, and we recommend that you bring a refillable water bottle to reduce waste.

Reminder: Revisit this page the morning of your event for any important updates.

1. Appropriate clothing: Events take place rain or shine so be sure to dress for the weather. Layers provide flexibility in changing conditions and rain gear can help keep you dry in the event of rainy conditions. A hat and sunglasses might come in handy too!
2. Sturdy footwear: Please wear solid closed-toe footwear. In general, hiking boots work well.
3. Sunscreen & insect repellent: Consider bringing your choice of sunscreen and/or insect repellent to the event.
4. Gardening gloves: Gardening gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring your own.
5. Reusable water bottle: Stay hydrated! There will be drinkable water on site, but please consider bringing your own refillable water bottle.
6. Snacks: We'll have some snacks and refreshments available, but feel free to bring your own.
7. Forms & paperwork: Minors who wish to count this activity as volunteer hours are required to bring their official volunteer form for the TD Site Leader to complete and sign.

Be prepared for wasps and ticks

We're planting in natural areas where wasps and ticks may be present so coming equipped with some understanding of how to stay safer around these bugs is ideal.

Wasps: To be prepared for any wasps on site, check out this information from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.

Ticks: It’s recommended that volunteers wear long-sleeved, light-coloured shirts and pants with pants tucked into socks at these events. Remember, light-coloured clothing makes ticks easier to spot. Information about ticks can be found in here on the Government of Canada Website.