As someone deeply passionate…

As someone deeply passionate about outdoor recreation and a lifelong visitor of over 30 years to Niagara Peninsula Conservation Areas, I am extremely concerned about the proposed amalgamation of conservation authorities.

Niagara Region is unique in its landscapes, watersheds, and ecological diversity. Combining these areas under seven governing bodies cannot be justified or considered evidence-based. Each conservation area has distinct needs and amalgamating them risks overlooking critical differences in management and protection.

This proposal is not supported by citizens in Niagara. As a community member and volunteer with the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, I am deeply worried about the future of our natural spaces. Smaller regional areas will be overshadowed and forgotten, grouped into larger systems that do not share the same characteristics or priorities.

We need to strengthen conservation efforts—not dilute them. This amalgamation moves in the opposite direction, and I fear the long-term damage it will cause to our ecosystems and communities. I urge you to reconsider this proposal and prioritize protecting Niagara’s unique natural heritage. As a province we need to do better in protecting and amplifying conservation efforts and this would be a step in the absolute wrong direction. I am deeply devasted and concerned about this proposal and cannot highlight enough how harmful this will be to our Natural spaces here in the Niagara Region.