2020 brings record interest in local conservation areas

JANUARY 12, 2021 – Kawartha Conservation’s five conservation areas were searched more than 1.1 million times online in 2020; 400,000 of those searching a conservation area directly and an additional 710,000 discovering a conservation area through their Google search terms. More than 16,000 people requested directions to our local conservation areas.

“Last year was challenging for everyone,” said Kristie Virgoe, Director, Stewardship and Conservation Lands. “Our conservation areas provided welcome relief for individuals and families who wanted to escape the endless news coverage and zoom meetings and stress of everything going on, and just get outside and enjoy nature and walk on a trail.”

Durham East Cross Forest, in Scugog Township, was the most searched conservation area with slightly more than 390,000 searches, followed closely by Ken Reid Conservation Area with 380,000 Google searches.

“The surge in popularity of our conservation areas is really a testament to the value of these beautiful areas to our municipalities, residents and visitors,” said Mark Majchrowski, CAO of Kawartha Conservation. “There’s no question 2020 was a very difficult and challenging year for a lot of people, but it’s great to see our community connection to nature strengthen in these difficult circumstances.”

A year over year comparison from August to December demonstrated the growing interest in local conservation areas as visitors turned to social media to share their experiences and visits.

From August 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, there were 376,204 Google searches for the five local conservation areas, with 4,527 requests for directions. For the same period in 2020, 556,411 Google searches occurred with 9,899 requests for directions – a 48% increase.

“Experiencing an almost 50% increase in searches for our conservation areas in just a five-month, year-over-year comparison shows clearly the interest and need residents and visitors have for the conservation areas, trails and nature-based experiences Kawartha Conservation offers,” explained Ms. Virgoe.

Kawartha Conservation staff were quick to recognize the increased volume in visitors, implementing numerous health and safety initiatives to provide for increased cleaning of high touch surfaces, at the off-leash dog park and washrooms. Directional signage was also placed along the trails to promote increased social distancing, while garbage removal was increased to help keep the conservation areas clean.

The majority of searches for Ken Reid Conservation area originated from within Kawartha Lakes, followed by Peterborough, Oshawa, Georgina and Port Perry, while searches for Durham East Cross Forest came from Kawartha Lakes, Oshawa, Whitby, Port Perry, Peterborough, Newcastle, Bowmanville, Courtice and Uxbridge.

“More and more our conservation areas are being viewed as destinations, not only by local residents, but by visitors from neighboring municipalities, making our conservation areas a huge tourism draw and benefit to our member municipalities,” said Mr. Majchrowski. “These visitors, often times, are also contributing to our local economies and seeing the fabuous things that our communities have to offer.”

Interest doesn’t show any signs of slowing down in 2021 with 21,236 searches and 469 requests for directions in the first seven days of the new year.