We Conserve Lands in the Credit River Watershed
We are the stewards of over 2,800 hectares (7,000 acres) of natural space in the Credit River Watershed. The watershed extends from the Headwaters in Dufferin Country to Port Credit in Mississauga where it drains into Lake Ontario. We provide visitors with unique experiences in nature, supporting healthy communities and a sustainable natural environment.
Our land holdings serve a variety of functions:
- Protect natural features and functions
- Conserve cultural resources
- Provide nature appreciation and recreational opportunities
- Promote mental and physical well-being
- Provide economic benefits (through local tourism, employment, ecosystem goods and services)
- Mitigate flooding, erosion caused by severe weather events
- Clean water
- Capture carbon
- Provide habitat
Our Conservation Areas
We operate a system of 62 conservation areas. We provide visitors with unique experiences in nature, supporting healthy communities. Our conservation areas also support active lifestyles that promote physical and mental well-being. Our lands provide ecosystem goods and services, and our stewardship also reduces the impacts of severe weather events resulting from climate change.
We’re committed to the long-term health of our conservation areas. We’re passionate about our contributions to the health of our communities. We work to protect these natural features and functions for future generations.
Conservation Areas Master Strategy
Our Conservation Areas Master Strategy (CAMS) shapes our efforts over the next 10 years (2018 – 2028). Our strategy commits us to:
- Stewardship of Land and Water
- Accountability
- Indigenous Communities
- Service
CAMS identifies four principles for conservation lands management. Each of the four principles are considered to be of equal value.
Protect
Protect the natural and cultural heritage assets within our conservation areas.
Connect
Develop and nurture relationships with all who seek to connect with the land and water.
Experience
Ensure that visitors to our sites experience a wide range of recreation opportunities, health benefits and tourism options.
Deliver
Deliver services to our residents, visitors, stakeholders and partners that reflect our commitment to quality, accountability, fiscal responsibility and the natural environment.
Management Plans
We develop management plans to set the long-term vision for a property and outline the strategies, actions and decisions needed to achieve that vision. Learn more about managements plans in development and how you can get involved:
Restoration Projects
We are restoring ecosystems and creating wildlife habitat for a resilient Credit River Watershed on our conservation lands. Learn about our latest projects:
We are creating a new conservation area on the shores of Lake Ontario. We’re transforming the area to be more natural, diverse and ecologically functional by naturalizing the shoreline, reestablishing coastal wetlands and restoring streams draining into the lake to provide habitat for fish, migrating birds and wildlife.
Learn more about the Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area.
The goal of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of enhanced restoration for two former aggregate sites in the Town of Caledon – Pinchin Pit and the Capstone parcel, formerly called the Flaherty Pit, which is a part of Charles Sauriol Conservation Area. Our goal is to restore these properties and transform them into future Credit Valley Parks.
Learn more about the Pits to Park Restoration Project
We’re decommissioning the dam and pond at Monora Park due to the decline of the dam structure and increased public safety risk. The goal of the project is to restore Monora Creek and the surrounding wetlands while considering safety, social, recreational and economic values.
Learn more about the Monora Park Dam Mitigation.
The goal of this restoration is to replace dead or dying ash trees with native trees and shrubs and remove invasive plants so a healthy forest with diverse species can return and thrive.
Learn more about ash tree management at Rattray Marsh.
We’re transforming a former farm field overgrown with non-native and invasive plants into a thriving grassland with native plants and grasses. It will provide critical habitat for species at-risk such as eastern meadowlark, bobolink and grasshopper sparrow.
Learn more about the Upper Credit CA grassland restoration.
Upcoming Events
Conservation Lands News
In celebration of our 70th anniversary, we’re highlighting stories that connect our past with our present through a […]
July 15, 2024- Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) is developing two new strategies that will guide the organization’s services, […]
In celebration of our 70th anniversary, we’re highlighting stories that connect our past with our present through a […]
Support New Conservation Lands
Help us secure new conservation lands through Credit Valley Conservation Foundation.