Conservation Ontario

Conservation Ontario is the umbrella organization which represents all of the conservation authorities in Ontario. This nonprofit organization was founded in 1980/81. Conservation Ontario is the network of 36 Conservation Authorities.

Conservation Ontario

Type	Umbrella conservation organisation
Location	Newmarket, Ontario
Website	conservationontario.ca

Conservation Authorities are local, watershed management agencies that deliver services and programs that protect and manage water and other natural resources in partnership with government, landowners and other organizations

The 1946 Conservation Authorities Act provides the means by which the province and municipalities of Ontario could join together to form a conservation authority within a specific area - the watershed - to undertake programs of natural resource management.

Conservation authorities 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. There are currently 36 conservation authorities in Ontario. Most management programs occur in parks known as conservation areas.

Key areas of Authority activity include:

• Environmental protection — Conservation authorities protect local ecosystems and contribute to the quality of life in communities throughout the province.
• Water Resource Management — Conservation authorities are Ontario's community-based environmental experts who use integrated, ecologically sound environmental practices to manage Ontario's water resources on a watershed basis, maintain secure supplies of clean water, protect communities from flooding and contribute to municipal planning processes (that protect water). The organization issues report cards detailing surface water quality, groundwater quality, and forest conditions.