What are conservation authorities?
According to Conservation Ontario, approximately 95% of Ontarians live in watersheds managed by Conservation Authorities. These local organizations are responsible for protecting land and water from natural hazards such as flooding, drought, erosion, and deforestation. They also manage conservation areas—public natural spaces where people can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, mountain biking, and camping.
Ontario is the only province or territory in Canada with Conservation Authorities. There are 36 across the province — 31 in southern Ontario with 5 in northern Ontario — overseeing more than 500 conservation areas that span over 150,000 hectares. Nearly 300 of these areas are open to the public and welcome over seven million visitors each year. These spaces play a vital role in environmental protection, education, and recreation, and they are home to a wide range of natural features and habitats, including rivers, wetlands, beaches, caves, forests, and heritage sites.
What do Conservation Authorities do?
Conservation Authorities are watershed-based agencies established under the Conservation Authorities Act in 1946. They were created to respond to serious environmental issues such as flooding and erosion caused by deforestation and poor land use. Today, they work in partnership with municipalities, landowners, and other organizations to manage Ontario’s natural resources.
Their core responsibilities include:
Developing and implementing programs to protect people and property from natural hazards like floods and erosion.
Conserving and managing Ontario’s rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands.
Restoring and protecting forests, habitats, and biodiversity.
Providing public access to conservation areas and encouraging education, recreation, and environmental stewardship.
How are Conservation Authorities funded?
Conservation Authorities work closely with municipalities and the Ontario government. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources provides funding for eligible natural hazard management activities and for studies and repairs on existing conservation authority-owned or managed flood and erosion control infrastruture such as dams, dykes and retaining walls. Conservation Authorities also receive funding from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks to protect the source of the province’s drinking water. Another source of revenue comes from fees for parks use. Each Conservation Authortity sets it own rates for access to its parks and most offer options for single-day use or annual park passes.
