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The Lake Simcoe Conservation Preserve is the Conservation Authority’s most recent land acquisition. The property is 890 acres of forest, grasslands, active agricultural fields, and extensive wetlands located in the Town of Georgina. Given the property’s size, and the fact that it has not been managed for decades, the Conservation Authority has begun an assessment of its features to determine how to manage it into the future. The name "Lake Simcoe Conservation Preserve" is temporary until a permanent name is selected during the Comprehensive Planning (i.e., long-term planning) process.
Until such time the property has been fully mapped, and a Comprehensive Plan created it is not open to the public. Please respect the no trespassing signs. This is for safety and legal reasons as well as to protect natural features and species that live there.
This is a multi-year project that will eventually include consultation with the public. On this page you can review work carried out to date, and sign up for updates to receive notification of when public consultation will commence.
The Lake Simcoe Conservation Preserve is the Conservation Authority’s most recent land acquisition. The property is 890 acres of forest, grasslands, active agricultural fields, and extensive wetlands located in the Town of Georgina. Given the property’s size, and the fact that it has not been managed for decades, the Conservation Authority has begun an assessment of its features to determine how to manage it into the future. The name "Lake Simcoe Conservation Preserve" is temporary until a permanent name is selected during the Comprehensive Planning (i.e., long-term planning) process.
Until such time the property has been fully mapped, and a Comprehensive Plan created it is not open to the public. Please respect the no trespassing signs. This is for safety and legal reasons as well as to protect natural features and species that live there.
This is a multi-year project that will eventually include consultation with the public. On this page you can review work carried out to date, and sign up for updates to receive notification of when public consultation will commence.
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Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority officially became owner of the temporarily named Lake Simcoe Conservation Preserve lands in March 2022, through an approved Minister’s Zoning Order. The parcel is 890acres(359 hectares), and consists of wetlands, woodlands, York Region Greenlands, as well as some agricultural lands. This brings the landholdings owned by the Conservation Authority to 4835 acres (1957 hectares).
Lake Simcoe Conservation Preserve has finished this stage
The property was officially transferred to the Authority in March 2022
Initial Assessments
Lake Simcoe Conservation Preserve has finished this stage
North South Environmental was retained to conduct property assessments / inventories for physical infrastructure, and stewardship plan over spring and summer 2022
Species Inventory
Lake Simcoe Conservation Preserve has finished this stage
Breeding amphibian and bird monitoring was conducted by North South Environmental over spring, summer, and fall 2022.
Baseline Reporting Complete
Lake Simcoe Conservation Preserve has finished this stage
Baseline Documentation Report, Stewardship Plan, and Opportunity and Constraints mapping was completed in winter 2023.
Invasive Species Monitoring
Lake Simcoe Conservation Preserve has finished this stage
Invasive species monitoring and inventory was completed by North South Environmental over summer 2023.
Launch of Indigenous Engagement Project
Lake Simcoe Conservation Preserve has finished this stage
Cambium Indigenous Professional Services was retained in spring 2024 to lead the Indigenous Engagement Project.
Knowledge Gathering
Lake Simcoe Conservation Preserve has finished this stage
Cambium Indigenous Professional Services leads seasonal knowledge gathering across the four seasons.
Final Report for Indigenous Engagement Project
Lake Simcoe Conservation Preserve has finished this stage
Indigenous Engagement project is complete and recommendations are presented to the Authority.
Initiation of Comprehensive Planning Process
Lake Simcoe Conservation Preserve is currently at this stage
A comprehensive planning process is initiated based on the outcomes of the Indigenous Engagement Project, baseline reporting, and natural heritage inventories. This will include the formation of an internal conservation authority project team, external advisory committee, and public consultation.
Consultation Phase
this is an upcoming stage for Lake Simcoe Conservation Preserve
A multi-point consultation, including consultation with Indigenous Communities, municipal and regional partners, the community, interested stakeholders, and Conservation Authority staff.
Comprehensive Plan Approval, and Implementation
this is an upcoming stage for Lake Simcoe Conservation Preserve
The final Comprehensive Plan is presented to the Conservation Authority’s Board of Directors. Once approved, the Conservation Authority will begin implementation of the plan.