About Us!

Vision

As guardians of our local water and natural environment, we promote resiliency to change, foster community stewardship, and provide outdoor recreational opportunities to support healthy living.

Mission

Protect people and property through informed decisions and actions, information sharing, and facilitating solutions-based outcomes.

Foster and encourage stewardship of the natural resources people rely on by learning from and working with our watershed community.

Protect and manage conservation lands, trails, services for public enjoyment and to promote activity that contributes to healthy living.

Otonabee Conservation is a locally-focused, community-based environmental agency. We protect, restore, and manage the natural resources within the Otonabee Region watershed. Together with our eight member municipalities, we create a healthy, environmentally-diverse watershed that:

Improves the quality of life for residents
Makes our area more appealing to visitors and new business
Helps to ensure a more vibrant regional economy

Otonabee Conservation was established in 1959 under the Conservation Authorities Act R.S.O.1990, Chapter C.27. We are governed by a Board of Directors, comprised of representatives from our local municipalities. We are supported by a professional staff of 17.

Otonabee Conservation is one of 36 Conservation Authorities throughout Ontario. Conservation Authorities across the province protect the environment on a watershed-basis. Land and water resources are connected and impact each other. Managing these resources on a watershed-basis is known to be the best way to protect the environment.

2023 Annual Report

2022 Annual Report

2021 Annual Report

2020 Annual Report

Our Board of Directors approves our annual budget and our financial statements are published each year.

Like all Conservation Authorities, we are funded in part by a levy from municipalities within our watershed. Provincial and Government grants fund some projects and programs. Partner organizations and individual donations help to fund the rest of our programs.

We collect fees for plan review and permitting services and for products and services that we provide at our conservation lands. The Board of Directors approves these fee schedules.

Otonabee Conservation is a registered charity.

2024 Fee Policy & Schedule - Approved

2024 Operating & Capital Budgets - Approved

2023 Fee Policy & Schedule

2023 Operating & Capital Budgets

2023 Audited Financial Statements

2022 Audited Financial Statements

We deliver programs and services that support the sustainability of the environment. Our work connects the physical and economic aspects of the watershed. We consider social, cultural, and economic aspirations of our residents in our work.

We work closely with our municipalities, residents, and partnership agencies to balance many needs and local conservation priorities.

Strategic Plan

Program Profile

Otonabee Region Watershed Map

Click on image to download.

Conservation Ontario

Otonabee Conservation is a member of Conservation Ontario, the umbrella organization that represents Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities.

Conservation Ontario supports this provincial network by raising awareness at community and provincial levels.

Conservation Ontario also works to build relationships and influence decision makers about the development and expansion of the Conservation Authority program.