History of Conservation Authorities
Historically, the Conservation Authorities Act was legislated by the provincial government in 1946 in response to the concern expressed by agricultural, naturalist and sportsmen's groups who pointed out that much of the renewable natural resources of the province were in an ‘unhealthy state’ as a result of poor land, water and forestry practices during the 1930
s and 1940s.The combined impacts of drought and deforestation led to extensive soil loss and flooding. Prior to the establishment of the Conservation Authorities, throughout the Depression years and those of World War II that followed, organizations such as the Ontario Conservation and Reforestation Association, which had its roots in the counties, the Federation of Ontario Naturalists and individuals writing for The Farmer's Advocate, pressed the case for conservation and wise resource management. Many of these leading conservationists believed that real progress in developing a new approach to natural resource management would not occur until an integrated approach was undertaken using natural watershed boundaries. Although the responsibility for managing natural resources lay with the Province, the scale of erosion and water problems was such that it required a new approach, and when a number of municipal councils agreed to become involved, this spirit of cooperation led to the passage of the Conservation Authorities Act in 1946. The Conservation Authorities Act provided the means by which the province and the municipalities of Ontario could join together to form a Conservation Authority within a specified area - the watershed - to undertake programs for natural resource management.
