Staff at the St Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) have been working to modernize their work environment via network/server upgrades, a new phone system, and Cyber Awareness training. For over 60 years, the SCRCA has worked in partnership with its 17 member municipalities, local communities, and other organizations to protect life and property from flooding and erosion; improve water quality; promote habitat creation and stewardship; provide outdoor recreation and education opportunities and monitor and protect our most vulnerable species. To offer improved services, secure access to resources, and ensure business continuity, several technology upgrades were required.

Thanks to an investment of $30,500 from the Government of Canada’s Community Services Recovery Fund, the SCRCA was able to procure new hardware and professional services to implement this project. The Community Services Recovery Fund was a one-time $400 million investment from the Government of Canada to support community service organizations, including charities, non-profits, and Indigenous governing bodies, as they adapt and modernize their organizations.

“These upgrades were necessary for a modernized work environment” says Chris Durand, GIS/IT Manager for the SCRCA. “In our new hybrid work environment, we needed to improve staff availability and communication with the public and do it in a secure way.”

Enhancements to the SCRCA’s servers, network, and phone system ensure that staff can remain accessible regardless of their location, while also providing secure remote access to resources. The implementation of Cyber Awareness Training helps SCRCA employees safeguard critical information by distinguishing between genuine and fraudulent email communications. Technological advancements are continuous, and this funding has allowed the SCRCA to “catch up” and deliver better services to the community. The Community Services Recovery Fund was administered in part by the Sarnia Community Foundation, who supported the SCRCA throughout the project’s implementation.