What is a Conservation Authority?

A Conservation Authority is a corporate body, formed by municipal request, under the Conservation Authorities Act of Ontario. Under this legislation, the purpose of a Conservation Authority is to further the conservation, restoration, development, and management of natural resources in their watershed areas. The powers and requirements for Conservation Authorities are also set out in the Conservation Authorities Act.

An authority's jurisdiction is based on a watershed (an area of land drained by one stream or river) rather than by political boundaries, since all municipalities through which a river or stream flows, share its resource problems. Our programs and services are focused within the natural boundaries of the Kawartha watershed, which extend from Lake Scugog in the southwest and Pigeon Lake in the east, to Balsam Lake in the northwest and Crystal Lake in the northeast – a total of 2,563 square kilometres.

Our Services and Facilities

We deliver a wide range of services, activities and facilities which include:

• watershed strategies and management
• flooding and erosion protection
• flood plain mapping
• planning and permitting
• conservation education programs for schools
• outdoor recreation facilities such as conservation areas and trails
• off-leash dog park
• environmental land use planning
• habitat protection
• reforestation
• water quality and quantity monitoring