Green • Resilient • Connected
Introduction
In 2017, Conservation Halton started a process of transformation through our strategic plan, Metamorphosis. The goals set out in that plan created a strong foundation for what needed to be done to bring us to where we are today. Metamorphosis has steered Conservation Halton forward and in reaching its end, has created a strong foundation upon which we will continue to build through our new strategic plan, Momentum.
Our Purpose
Protect people from natural hazards, conserve nature and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and education across our watershed.
Our Ambition
A green, resilient, connected tomorrow.
Our Drivers
The challenges and demands of a changing horizon highlight the importance of a strategic plan for Conservation Halton.
CHANGING CLIMATES
2051 to 2080 Projections
Warmer Summers
30°C days up from 16 to 60.9
20°C nights up from 8.1 to 44.8
Warmer Winters
Average winter temperature up from -3.4°C to 1.3°C
Average coldest minimum temperature up from -20.8°C to -13C°
2050 Projections
Wetter
Annual precipitation up 10%
Wilder
More intense and extreme rainfall events
Freezing rain up 40%
in 2050
Our Watershed
A watershed is an area of land where all of the water drains into the same body of water, such as a stream, creek, river or lake. It's important to protect our watershed because the water that flows through it becomes the water that we depend on for drinking, farming, manufacturing and recreation as well as habitat for wildlife. Conservation authorities use "integrated watershed management" to protect the natural resources in our watershed and manage the human activities that could impact them. Integrated watershed management is so important to our work that we have used this approach to guide our priorities and frame our strategic plan.
Honouring the Land and Territory
Halton, as we know it today, is rich in the history and modern traditions of many First Nations and the Métis. From the lands of the Anishinabe to the Wendat, Attawanderon, the Haudenosaunee, and the Métis, these lands surrounding the Great Lakes are steeped in Indigenous history. As we gather today on these treaty lands, we are in solidarity with our Indigenous brothers and sisters to honour and respect the four directions, lands, waters, plants, animals and ancestors that walked before us. All these wonderful elements of creation exist, gifted to us by our Creator. We acknowledge and thank the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation for being stewards of this traditional territory.
Diversity and Inclusion
We endeavor to understand, accept and appreciate the value of our differences and encourage authenticity.
Learning and Innovation
We embrace the need for continuous improvement, the opportunity to learn from others and the benefits of sharing knowledge.
Person-Centered Service
We make people a priority through customer-centred engagement, predictive problem-solving and high-quality service.
Collaboration
We seek out and trust in the skills, expertise and experience of others in order to achieve our common ambition.
Sustainability
We consider the environmental impact of everything we do and always keep future generations in mind when making decisions.
Integrity
We make decisions with accountability, transparency and a strong sense of personal responsibility for our choices and actions
Resilience
We are positive and proud of our ability to quickly and effectively respond to change.
Natural Hazards and Water
Protect people, property,
drinking water sources and natural resources to support development that is in balance with the environment
Optimize dam safety, operations, and flood forecasting within a sustainable funding model
Lead the Halton-Hamilton source water protection program through a comprehensive review and update of drinking water science and source protection plan policies
Modernize Planning and Regulations policies and mapping and adopt a sustainable program delivery model
Lead in delivering planning and permitting customer service and experience excellence
Foster partnerships and identify opportunities to build mutual understanding, trust, respect, and support with watershed stakeholders
Science, Conservation and
Restoration
Use environmental science, collaborative research and collective data to protect the integrity and strengthen the resilience of our ecosystems
Expand monitoring and analytical capabilities to support resource management decisions
Implement restoration activities to help manage natural hazards and improve watershed functions.
Undertake and implement watershed plans to identify and prioritize actions that enhance sustainability.
Identify and promote climate change approaches for watershed resiliency and lead by example
Education, Empowerment and Engagement
Inspire action by fostering an appreciation of our environment and heritage through leading edge educational programming and outdoor experiences
Build community awareness and support by demonstrating the value and impact of our programs and services
Broaden our reach by engaging and empowering community allies and advocates through stronger partnerships and collaboration
Develop community informed programming through greater allyship with Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, Racialized, LGBTQ+, and Disability communities
Inspire action and create leaders by empowering, youth, volunteers, landowners and the greater community
Provide learning opportunities and recreation programming of the highest quality by leveraging current research, cross-sector collaboration, and smart technologies
Nature and Parks
Grow our network of parks and greenspaces to promote equitable access and provide unique experiences that connect people with nature and heritage
Develop and Implement a marketing and branding playbook to support customer engagement and product development
Expand the CH Park System to provide additional greenspace and opportunities
Implement new tools to enhance customer experience and streamline internal operations
Develop and Implement a new vision for CH Park spaces and infrastructure to ensure optimization of resources
Develop and Implement a marketing and branding playbook to support customer engagement and product development
Expand the CH Park System to provide additional greenspace and opportunities
Implement new tools to enhance customer experience and streamline internal operations
Develop and Implement a new vision for CH Park spaces and infrastructure to ensure optimization of resources
Develop and Implement a marketing and branding playbook to support customer engagement and product development
Expand the CH Park System to provide additional greenspace and opportunities
Implement new tools to enhance customer experience and streamline internal operations
Develop and Implement a new vision for CH Park spaces and infrastructure to ensure optimization of resources
Develop and Implement a marketing and branding playbook to support customer engagement and product development
Expand the CH Park System to provide additional greenspace and opportunities
Implement new tools to enhance customer experience and streamline internal operations
Develop and Implement a new vision for CH Park spaces and infrastructure to ensure optimization of resources
Develop and Implement a marketing and branding playbook to support customer engagement and product development
Expand the CH Park System to provide additional greenspace and opportunities
Implement new tools to enhance customer experience and streamline internal operations
Develop and Implement a new vision for CH Park spaces and infrastructure to ensure optimization of resources
Organizational Sustainability
Implement organizational practices that support the social, environmental and economic dimensions of sustainability
Transition infrastructure and operations from grey to green solutions
Apply an integrated approach to risk, governance and compliance to ensure alignment of operations with enterprise business objectives
Create a sustainable plan for the long-term management of CH lands
Implement a CH Park experiences and cost recovery model
Implement an enterprise information management framework for governance, utilization and reporting of data assets
Improve cyber security, IT, and data standards.
Enable a digital culture across the organization and invest in technologies to improve problem-solving.
Enhance business intelligence through insights, visualizations, and analytics.
Establish CH Innovation Hub to enable partnerships with agencies, companies, and academia to develop innovate environmental solutions.
Implement an enterprise information management framework for document digitization.
Digital Transformation and Innovation
Integrate digital technologies, processes, and mindsets to strengthen adaptability and problem-solving capabilities
Position CH as an employer of choice to attract, invest in and retain talent
Broaden the wellness program initiatives to invest in employee
well-being
Create an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) framework to cultivate a culture that honors and embraces differences
Establish a growth mindset, learning organization to enable and empower employees to achieve our collective ambition
Increase employee safety competency through enhanced training and development processes
People and Talent
Attract, support and invest in the brightest and most passionate people to collectively achieve our ambition
“I always take time out of my week to hike because of how time seems to move slower and I can really appreciate the subtle beauties in nature. Conservation Halton has been an indispensable part of my life for this reason. Not only do I appreciate their parks being accessible outlets for all to explore the outdoors, but also their foremost responsibility to protect the environment and sustain the watershed in our community. As an individual who grew up in this community, I appreciate the continuing efforts of Conservation Halton projects and services for future generations to come.”
VICTORIA LOOR
Milton, Ontario
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When my wife and I settled on an 82 acre farm in Rockwood, we dreamed of restoring it to a natural state, but the task seemed daunting. Fortunately we were able to partner with Conservation Halton and that's when progress was quickly made. They understood our vision and worked hand-in-hand with us. With their assistance, over 35,000 diverse native trees and bushes were planted, and degraded wetlands were restored to a pristine natural state. Working with Conservation Halton was always a wonderful experience and I am always grateful for their work and staff expertise in making it all happen.
BILL GRIERSON
Land Owner
Conservation Halton has acted as an educational campus and an outdoor park to me — I have learned, entertained, connected and relaxed here — by myself and with friends and family. Each season we embrace the outdoors, whether skiing at Glen Eden in the winter, tapping maple trees in the spring, or hiking Mont Nemo in the summer. Conservation Halton is more than a network of protected parks, it’s a site where residents come together, enticed by the organization's outstanding programming that helps our ability to play and grow as a community and as individuals outdoors.
JYOTI MINHAS
Mississauga
My memories with Conservation Halton date back half a century, starting with rappelling at Rattlesnake Point as a Scout, hiking at the parks with youth groups as a teenager, taking our children on hikes as toddlers, skiing at Glen Eden and even flying in a very small plane over the area as part of a high school geography trip about the Niagara Escarpment. Today, my wife and I still hike at the parks regularly and we look forward to bringing our grandson with us, so that he may experience all that Conservation Halton has to offer. It is my hope that Conservation Halton may continue to be caring and attentive stewards, so that this phenomenal geographic and cultural gift may continue to educate, be enjoyed and create lasting memories.
DAVE GITTINGS
Town of Oakville and Halton Region Councillor
"Conservation Halton makes it possible for me to get my daily dose of nature, right here in my community. Halton is a unique area, rich with great outdoor experiences, but as one of the fastest-growing areas in the country, there is risk of interference with the biodiversity of the region. It is my hope for Conservation Halton to be able to preserve the unique natural features of the region."
NAJIB MAATALLAH
Auditor, Aramark Canada
"To me, Conservation Halton encompasses all aspects of nature including enjoyment, protection and education. My most memorable experiences with Conservation Halton are, without a doubt, trips to Hilton Falls when my children were younger. When the kids were older and more daring, a trip to Hilton Falls was never complete without a journey behind the falls! I hope Conservation Halton can continue doing the great job it does."
SUE MUELLER
Park Visitor
"Conservation Halton encourages people to understand, appreciate and become involved in the biodiversity that surrounds us to ensure that our world biosphere, streams, wetlands, creatures, forests and sense of belonging in the world continues to progress. At each of the natural areas that I visit and explore, I am surprised by their beauty and resilience. Thanks to the dedication, innovation and ambition of those involved at all levels at Conservation Halton, these areas are available for everyone to enjoy."
NICOLE BURKE
Niagara College Student
"Conservation Halton is at the forefront of increasingly consequential work in the environment, upon which every person, organization, plant and animal as well the land and water in this watershed relies. Through the proactive decisions and hard work of its team members, Conservation Halton has created an entirely new level of access to experience nature during a global pandemic. Apart from looking past the roadblocks and maintaining the highest ground on goals for the environment, my hope is that Conservation Halton leverages its leadership and keeps developing the people and ideas that make this
leadership possible."
JIM MACKEY
Park Visitor
"To me, Conservation Halton is a preserver of the wild spaces and cultural places in Halton, a provider of quality outdoor experiences and education and a protector of our precious natural resources. It is my hope that Conservation Halton can continue to build on the good work already taking place and not lose decision-making power as a result of recent legislative changes."
JULIE ROSSALL
Park Visitor
Conservation Halton has been committed to the preservation of natural and recreational area since they were founded more than 65 years ago and they have remained focused on this important work. Today, Conservation Halton plays an important role in helping our communities prepare for climate change, which is now more important than ever.
GORD KRANTZ
Mayor, Town of Milton
"Flood control and prevention. Water quality protection. Land stewardship. Biodiversity. Education. Integrity. These are the things that Conservation Halton means to me. Conservation Halton created a wetland on my farm property, which has provided habitat for frogs, turtles, ducks and other birds, and I had so many amazing interactions with their staff throughout this project. The work that Conservation Halton does is essential and I would like for them to receive more support and respect from the Ontario Government."
PATRICIA KOZOWYK
Baba Link Organic Farm
When I think of Conservation Halton, I am reminded of its role in growth and development. Throughout the year, I get to see firsthand the importance of what we do for the community—providing opportunities for people to enjoy nature, spend time with their friends and family and take part in wide variety of outdoor activities, so close to home. These places have allowed me to learn more about myself and that is something I am very grateful for. I look forward to watching Conservation Halton continue to grow and develop.
DEVAN SHIMADA
Coordinator, Recreation Programs
About Us
Conservation Halton was established more than 60 years ago to protect our communities from flooding and erosion and manage and restore natural resources of the watershed. We have grown to become so much more. Today, it is our responsibility to prepare our communities for the impacts of climate change, support our partners in creating more sustainable communities, manage our natural areas and resources within the watershed, monitor and enhance the environmental health of our watershed and create opportunities to connect with nature through recreation and education.
Measuring Progress
Through a transparent performance measurement and reporting process, we will monitor and share our progress towards achieving our strategic objectives.