Any changes to the mandates…

Any changes to the mandates of Conservation Authorities must recognize and allow for the importance of educational and recreational use of Conservation lands. Not only does public use of lands owned by Conservation Authorities provide income needed to run even the core goals of the Authorities, but they also provide valuable health and recreation opportunities to the public they serve.
The educational programs allow for our youth (and future employees of these same areas) to learn the importance of caring for the Environment around them and indeed HOW to care for it. Lessons such as these are often learned best through the ability to explore and see what exactly is being discussed. A child understands the concept of erosion better, how floodplains form and change, how wildlife changes and thrives in different habitats and even how different aquatic species indicate a general idea of a water system's health best by seeing and doing. The majority of schools do not have the environment around them to facilitate these lessons. Conservation Authorities (and nature centers within them) allow this to happen. Additionally they provide outreach opportunities to the community at large. The value in this can not be overlooked and needs to be considered mandatory or, at the very least highly encouraged as part of a new mandate.