It is with pride that we present the 2025 Annual Report, reflecting a year of progress, collaboration, and commitment to the watershed’s health.
In 2025, HCA advanced key work across our four strategic plan priority areas. We continued the Saltfleet Conservation Area Wetland Restoration Project, completing the second of four planned wetlands to reduce flooding, protect downstream properties, and boost local biodiversity. Early monitoring already shows more frogs, birds, and native plants thriving.
Watershed Resources Management remained a priority. We updated floodplain mapping and reviewed monitoring networks to better forecast floods, manage low water, and support permit decisions and planning recommendations. For Natural Heritage, we acquired 18.17 hectares of Fletcher Creek swamp forest to strengthen ecological corridors between Valens Lake Conservation Area and Fletcher Creek Ecological Preserve.
HCA continued to modernize systems as an Organizational Excellence priority, to support transparency, sound decision-making, and public access to information. A new online Open Data Hub was launched, which expands public access to watershed maps and environmental data.
Under Connecting People to Nature, we launched the Basadinaa Experience in Dundas Valley Conservation Area, featuring 13 Indigenous-led interpretive signs along the Main Loop Trail. This project shares teachings from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Six Nations of the Grand River, bringing conservation, education, and reconciliation together.
At year’s end, the province released a proposal for potential regional consolidation of conservation authorities. While we don’t support the Province’s approach, we are actively participating in the consultation process, providing informed feedback, and working constructively to identify alternatives that maintain effective watershed-based conservation and strong local governance. Throughout this work, we remain focused on our mandate and the services our communities rely on.
None of these accomplishments would be possible without the dedication of our Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and partners. Their commitment and expertise continue to advance our mission and ensure that our watershed remains healthy, resilient, and protected for generations to come.
Lisa Burnside, CAO
Brad Clark, Board Chair
