Conservation Authorities
of Ontario Mandate

Conservation Ontario is made up of a network of 36 Conservation Authorities, community-based watershed management agencies dedicated to conserving, restoring and managing Ontario’s natural resources on a watershed basis.

The office of Conservation Ontario is located in Newmarket, Ontario and supports the network of Conservation Authorities.

A total of 31 Conservation Authorities operate in southern Ontario and an additional five Conservation Authorities deliver programs and services in northern Ontario. 90% of Ontario’s 12 million population lives in a watershed managed by a Conservation Authority.

Conservation Authorities are nonprofit organizations, each with their own Board of Directors with members appointed by local municipalities. The majority of Board representatives are elected municipal officials. Conservation Authorities are legislated by the Conservation Authorities Act (1946).

Funding for Conservation Authorities is derived from a variety of sources, but on the average 42% comes from self generated revenues; 33% is provided through municipal levies; 23% comes from provincial grants and special projects and 2% is provided by federal grants or contracts.

Mandate
Conservation Ontario is the signal of the shift to a new, more entrepreneurial way of conducting environmental business and it focuses on excellence in managing and delivering watershed-based ecosystem resources and services. By creating awareness of the importance of healthy watersheds, building more and stronger relationships and expanding services and facilities, Conservation Ontario and its network will generate the revenue today to fulfill the promise to continue the legacy beyond tomorrow.

A watershed is a natural unit of land defined by the area that drains into a river and its tributaries.

Conservation Authorities, created in 1946 by an Act of the Provincial Legislature, are mandated to ensure the conservation, restoration and responsible management of Ontario's water, land and natural habitats through programs that balance human, environmental and economic needs.

Objectives

  • ensure that Ontario's rivers, lakes and streams are properly safeguarded, managed and restored;

  • protect, manage and restore Ontario's woodlands, wetlands and natural habitat;

  • develop and maintain programs that will protect life and property from natural hazards such as flooding and erosion;

  • provide opportunities for the public to enjoy, learn from and respect Ontario's natural environment.

 

Protect, manage and restore Ontario's woodlands, wetlands and natural habitat.

Because what we do on land is reflected in our water and ecosystems, Conservation Authorities develop programs that protect our land resources and promote watershed stewardship practices that lead to healthy, sustainable communities and industries.

Ensure that Ontario's rivers, lakes and streams are properly safeguarded, managed and restored.

Based on Ontario's system of watersheds, Conservation Authorities are known globally for their stewardship of our rivers, lakes and streams through the development and delivery of watershed-based programs that work with nature to protect, restore and effectively manage Ontario's water resources. In addition to serving the public and Ontario landowners, Conservation Authorities also provide advice and counsel to all levels of government on the responsible management of water.

Develop and maintain programs that will protect life and property from natural hazards such as flooding and erosion.

Conservation Authorities work in partnership with municipalities to protect life and property through the development of programs that minimize or prevent the impact of disasters such as flooding and erosion.

Provide opportunities for the public to enjoy, learn from and respect Ontario's natural environment.

Through the lands they manage and own, as well as the educational programs they deliver, Conservation Authorities provide opportunities for our citizens to understand and appreciate the value of their natural environment as well as the social and economic benefits of protecting that environment.