Conservation Authorities (ca…

Conservation Authorities (ca) are in my view the specialist organizations that are best equipped to protect the public and private property as well as the vast areas of common space (conservation lands, public lands, lakes, rivers etc). I would support a reasonably regular review of the governance, management, funding and outcomes for each of Ontario's Conservation Authorities but not for the purpose of returning them to their original core mandates.

My connections to Conservation Authorities like many Ontarians are many. I was born in the year that Hurricane Hazel created the damage and loss of life that accelerated the creation of the series of dams and floodways that today form (an aging) part of the backbone of the protection service that CAs offer. As a resident of various towns and cities in southern and central Ontario I have always been aware of the importance of Lake Ontario. In my lifetime the great lakes have in spite of their "greatness" been under constant threat from invasive species, pollution, climate change and the massive population and agricultural areas that have come to depend upon them on both sides of the border. Conservation Authorities in Ontario have been on the forefront of not only protecting our water at sources far from the Great Lakes and Lake Simcoe; they have taken on the challenge of protecting the big lakes as well by encouraging sustainable eco systems upstream.

Like many Ontarians I have been fortunate enough to enjoy the trails, waterways and educational opportunities in all seasons found at parks operated by the CAs. These protected places along with other conservation lands provide a refuge not only for thousands and thousands of species of plants and wildlife. They also are a refuge for people who especially in urban areas have little or no access to natural places. Everyone needs to be near trees and the other protected places managed by the CAs.

I have been extremely fortunate to have found a place to not only be outdoors but to be able to spend very meaningful time as a Conservation Authority volunteer. For the past 3 years I have joined a group of motivated folks ranging from university students to retirees working in the field with the ecology team at Conservation Halton. There are so many types of work that we do but there is no doubt for example that removing invasive species could keep thousand of volunteers going for decades. Our group numbers about 24. The thing is that removing invasive species has a huge number of knock on effects from creating opportunities for native trees and plants to thrive...to providing habitat for beneficial insects...to enhancing the quality of water which ultimately ends up in the lake that we rely on.

The CA that I am affiliated with as a volunteer is a powerhouse of environmental stewardship. I am sure that all CAs operate this way. What might be less well understood is the educational role that only they can play in bringing best sustainable practices to land owners both rural and urban. As a result of learning about the benefits of low impact development as applied to an urban property, my wife and I have created a garden that holds rainwater on site, supports pollinators and features native species. We are still learning but we have like so many others been supported, encouraged and inspired to contribute to the better condition of our watershed by 2 local Conservation Authorities.

As a motivated observer of the work of the local CAs I see hard working people with a serious well informed focus on getting things right. There is no sense that the work is anywhere close to done. Ever. As learning focused organizations our local CAs welcome opportunities to share knowledge and constantly improve themselves. There is also a very palpable lack of entitlement in the way work is done. Budgets go to the ways in which results are achieved. Not a lot of frills.

The Environment is dynamic and Science is evolving. Conservation Authorities interface with the Environment in the same way that any individual or organization charged with stewardship responsibility will do. They seek to understand the problems and then create the means to mitigate or adapt to those problems. In the natural environment the forces at work are massive. The power of floodwater. Relentless erosion by wind, water and other forces. The unseen forces that determine our access to water. The uncontrollable variables that impact on wildlife. And the greatest challenge of all, the radical changes that we face in climate. It is only by applying good judgement and the best science that our regional specialist organizations known as Conservation Authorities can fulfil the protection element of their missions.

My position is that protection of people, the land and property is being delivered by CAs. I am confident that as the challenges become more complex, that these organizations will develop the skills to deal with them well before they are needed. That takes foresight and obviously financial resources.

To the point of reviewing mandates and the other items listed in the proposed legislation , it would seem that these organizations have already quite successfully broadened their scope in order to deliver their protection mandate. "Re-focusing" should ensure that the innovations that hard working Ontarians on the interface of the only environment that we have have achieved should be well funded. Transparency is absolutely essential moving forward when it comes to relations with the municipalities and senior levels of government served by Ontario's Conservation Authorities.

Let us hope that we all make every effort that we can to be prepared for and open to the dialogue; and recognize the importance of maintaining our strong economy by supporting Conservation Authorities in their work of helping to maintain resilient lakes, rivers, lands as well as plant and animal species in our beautiful Province.