Kawartha Conservation Undertakes Carbon Audit Through National Project IGNITE

[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE]

KAWARTHA LAKES, ON – OCTOBER 9, 2025: Kawartha Conservation has joined a national initiative aimed at accelerating greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction in Canadian organizations, becoming one of the first conservation authorities in Ontario to take part in ECO Canada’s Project IGNITE.

The project IGNITE - Innovating GHG Reduction, Nurturing Institutions, and Training Enterprises - provides resources, training, and strategic support to help participating organizations reduce emissions and embrace a low-carbon economy. For Kawartha Conservation, it marks the beginning of a comprehensive carbon audit tied directly to its 10-Year Climate Change Strategy.

“Conducting a carbon audit is about understanding where we are today and where we can improve,” said Nancy Aspden, Director of Integrated Watershed Management. “This process will give us a clear picture of our organizational footprint, helping us prioritize actions that reduce emissions and strengthen our role as environmental stewards.”

The audit will assess energy use, transportation, waste, and other operational factors that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Results will be used to set measurable targets and inform future sustainability projects across Kawartha Conservation’s offices, lands, and programs.

The IGNITE project was developed to support municipalities, businesses, and institutions that want to embed carbon management into their decision-making, funded in part by Environment and Climate Change Canada of the Government of Canada. By providing training and practical tools, ECO Canada hopes to accelerate the transition toward net-zero.

“Project IGNITE represents a pivotal step forward in our mission to drive innovation in greenhouse gas reduction and foster a low-carbon economy. By empowering businesses and institutions with the tools and knowledge they need, we are making significant strides towards a sustainable and resilient future,” said Dr. Yogendra Chaudhry, VP of Professional Services and ESG at ECO Canada.

For Kawartha Conservation, the effort builds on years of watershed-based climate initiatives, including water monitoring, habitat restoration, and public awareness campaigns. The organization’s 10-Year Climate Change Strategy, released in 2023, commits to both community resilience and internal accountability.

“This is about leading by example,” said Mark Majchrowski, Chief Administrative Officer of Kawartha Conservation. “We are asking residents, municipalities, and businesses to think about their environmental impact every day. It’s only right that we take the same responsibility as an organization. Participating in the project IGNITE and completing a carbon audit will ensure we’re walking the talk.”

Officials say the audit will be completed in the coming months, with findings to be shared publicly as part of Kawartha Conservation’s commitment to transparency. The organization also hopes the effort will inspire other conservation authorities and local institutions to join similar programs.

“Climate change is a challenge that requires collective action,” Aspden added. “By taking part in project IGNITE, we are not just reducing our emissions - we are showing what is possible for organizations of every size and sector.”

About Kawartha Conservation

Established in 1979 under the Conservation Authorities Act, Kawartha Conservation is a watershed-based, non-profit organization and one of 36 conservation authorities in Ontario. Balancing environmental capacity with human needs, we manage and protect the natural resources that sustain water quality and quantity through watershed planning, stewardship, monitoring, research, and conservation area management. Encompassing 2,563 square kilometres from Lake Scugog to Pigeon Lake, and from Balsam Lake to Crystal Lake, our watershed includes six municipal partners - the City of Kawartha Lakes, Township of Scugog, Township of Brock, Municipality of Clarington, Municipality of Trent Lakes, and Township of Cavan Monaghan, as well as the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

Media contact

John Chambers
Marketing and Communications Specialist
jchambers@kawarthaconservation.com
705-328-2271 ext 220
www.kawarthaconservation.com

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