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Conservation Areas

Central Lake Ontario Conservation AuthorityIn the face of tremendous growth in its business and residential sectors, the City of Oshawa nurtures its precious naturalization areas as sources of passive beautification, erosion control, air purification, recreational opportunities and educational resources. Looking after the "natural" business of the area between the Oak Ridges Moraine and Lake Ontario is the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA).

It was in 1946 that the Conservation Authorities Act was passed, and since 1958, CLOCA has played a major role in providing responsible watershed management practices to this Region, despite recent government cutbacks. The mission of the Conservation Authority is a noble one:

“To work towards the awareness, understanding, wise use and enhancement of our watershed resources for the benefit of the natural environment in partnership with our municipalities and our community.”

CLOCA exists within a network of 38 Conservation Authorities in Ontario. Today, Conservation Authorities own more than 138,000 hectares (340,000 acres) of land in the province. More than 200 of the 352 conservation areas offer recreational opportunities, and the areas welcome over 1,500,000 visitors annually.

The CLOCA watershed encompasses 627 square kilometres, which are defined as the areas drained by Lynde, Pringle, East and West Corbett, Goodman, Oshawa, Harmony, Farewell, Black, Robinson, Tooley, Darlington, Westside, Bowmanville and Soper Creeks. In addition to the City of Oshawa, CLOCA is responsible for the Towns of Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, the Municipality of Clarington, and the Townships of Scugog and Uxbridge. Each area municipality has Regionally-appointed representatives on the Conservation Authority’s Board of Directors, in proportion to its population (Oshawa has 4 representatives on the Board).

For Oshawa and the other municipalities, CLOCA is responsible for the following:

  • Watershed Studies assess the impact of changes in land use, analyse our ecosystems, promote healthy watersheds
  • Resource Inventory/Environmental Monitoring identifies information and priority management areas on a watershed basis, and evaluates improvements or declines in watershed health
  • Conservation Services initiates tree planting programs, bioengineering services and Natural Habitat restoration and enhancement, monitors success of reforestation projects, develops new ecosystem technologies
  • Municipal Plan Input and Review provides comments to planning approval authorities on planning and development applications, regarding Natural Heritage and Hazard issues. Administers CLOCA’s regulations for Fill, Construction and Alteration to a Watercourse
  • Flood Warning to reduce the risk of property damage and loss of life due to flooding within the CLOCA watershed
  • Floodplain/Valleyland Protection ensures long-term protection of natural areas by working in partnerships with municipal and provincial sources
  • Conservation Open Space Management and Operations provides recreational outlets and environment enhancements
  • Public Information encompasses tours, newsletters, news releases, brochures, municipal programs and more
  • Land Stewardship provides programs to promote natural heritage stewardship, technical advisory services for landowners and groups, direct restoration projects where needed, and identifies potential stewardship projects
  • Conservation Education helps over 12,000 students participate annually in the Authority’s education programs held in the conservation areas. Through half/full day programs, students develop an increased awareness for the enhancement and stewardship of the watershed in which they live. The Authority also hosts an environmental day camp at Enniskillen Conservation Area for the months of July and August.

Within Oshawa, there are 2 Conservation Areas:

  • Oshawa Valleylands Head Office
  • Purple Woods

On several of the Authority lands across the Region, CLOCA provides a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, such as cross-country skiing, seasonal camping, hiking, fishing, and general nature appreciation. Other educational pursuits, such as maple syrup demonstrations at Purple Woods, help to fulfill CLOCA’s public education mandate.

CLOCA is always happy to welcome volunteers to help with tree planting, stream clean-ups, and other activities.

Contact

To inquire about volunteering, or for more information on CLOCA, contact the Authority at:

100 Whiting Avenue
Oshawa, ON
L1H 3T3
tel (905) 579-0411
E-mail: mail@cloca.com
or http://www.CLOCA.com