Conservation in the Kawarthas

With Ian D. MacNab, General Manager of Kawartha Region Conservation Agency

Originally Published in A History of Fenelon Township, 1987

The historic roots of conservation authorities in Ontario can be traced back to 1941. At that time concern was being expressed by government, the academic community, and private citizens over problems of flooding, erosion, water quality and drought. As a result of these concerns, the Province passed the Conservation Authorities Act in 1946. Under the Act conservation authorities can be formed to deal with local environmental issues.

The strength of a conservation authority comes from the emphasis on local involvement. Municipalities within a river-lake drainage area or watershed become members of the conservation authority and initiate projects on the basis of local need. Water and related land management problems form the primary impetus of conservation authority programming. Hence, the watershed is a logical and discrete environmental unit for management purposes.

The Kawartha Region Conservation Authority is the youngest of Ontario’s thirty-eight conservation authorities. It was established by a Provincial Order-in-Council in October 1979. The Authority’s administrative office is within Heritage House in Fenelon Falls.

Interest in the founding of a conservation authority began as early as 1965, with the first municipal vote on formation taking place in 1968. The two-third majority municipal vote, necessary to establish a conservation authority, was not reached at that time, nor in a subsequent vote in 1974. Renewed interest in the formation of a conservation authority was shown in 1977. This led to a successful vote in 1979, and the Kawartha Region Conservation Authority was formed.

The inaugural meeting of the Kawartha Region Conservation Authority was held in February 1980. At this meeting, Fenelon Township Reeve, Dave Murray was elected authority chairman. He has since been re-elected to this position annually by the authority membership.

The authority watershed encompasses 2563 square kilometers (990 square miles). This area takes in Balsam, Cameron, Sturgeon, Scugog and Pigeon Lakes, and most of the land and river drainage entering these lakes. Drainage from the Gull and Burnt Rivers is not included.

There are twenty municipalities within the watershed each sending one or more representatives to the Authority. In total, twenty-five men and women, appointed by local municipal councils, direct the operation of the Authority.

Programming includes water monitoring and flood forecasting; erosion control along natural watercourses; recreational park development; improvement of stream habitat for fisheries; reforestation of marginal lands; nature interpretation and conservation education within public schools; and, involvement with municipal planning as it relates to natural resource management.

Within Fenelon Township the Kawartha Region Conservation Authority has undertaken all of the above types of programming. Of note is the establishment of the 110 hectare (275 acre) Ken Reid Conservation Area. Located within Part Lots 1-4, Concession 5, Part Lots 3 and 4 concession 6 of Fenelon Township, this natural area borders on Sturgeon Lake at the mouth of McLaren’s Creek. The property is within 6 kilometres of the Town of Lindsay.

The Kawartha Region Conservation Authority purchased the property in November 1981 from Mr. Ken Reid. Named in honour of Mr. Reid, the property was the authority’s first land acquisition. The intent of the purchase was to provide an area for public appreciation and enjoyment of the natural environment. The Nature Conservancy of Canada aided the authority in the property purchase because of the biological significance of McLaren’s Creek marsh to the west of the property. This area supports significant muskellunge spawning, and waterfowl staging and breeding. It also supports two nesting pair of osprey. With authority ownership of the Ken Reid Conservation Area, the majority of the McLaren’s Creek Marsh and surrounding lands are now in public ownership. …Isaac W. Reid acquired the property in 1875 and it did not leave the Reid family until its purchase 106 years later by the Kawartha Region Conservation Authority.