A major change is coming to conservation management in Southwestern Ontario as four local conservation authorities prepare are consolidated into a single regional organization.
Under recent changes to Ontario’s Conservation Authorities Act, the province’s 36 conservation authorities will be combined into nine regional authorities on February 1, 2027.
Locally, the Catfish Creek Conservation Authority, Kettle Creek Conservation Authority, Grand River Conservation Authority, and Long Point Region Conservation Authority will combine to form the new Eastern Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority.
By June 30, each authority’s board must appoint two representatives to a Transition Committee, including its General Manager or CEO and one elected board member. The committee will be overseen by the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency and is expected to begin meeting later this summer.
Leaders from all four conservation authorities said they recognize the importance of maintaining strong relationships with landowners, municipalities and community groups while navigating the transition.
The organizations have already approved a set of seven guiding principles to help shape the merger. These include accountable governance, fiscal responsibility, workforce stability, service excellence, risk management, science-based watershed management, and clear communication.
Officials say the goal is to build on more than 80 years of conservation work while ensuring the new Eastern Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority is positioned for continuous improvement and long-term success.
The four conservation authorities invite the public to visit their websites for more information as it becomes available.
Written by Jeremy Hall
