the Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authorities and the Grand 

 River Conservation Commission have nurseries of their own. 



Wildlife Conservation 



Authorities have long been concerned with the place of wildlife resources 

 in their watershed programs. Many of the Conservation Authorities have set up 

 Fish and Wildlife Advisory Boards. The wide scope of Conservation Authority 

 programs provides opportunities for fish and wildlife management projects. Several 

 Authorities have acquired extensive areas of flood plain lands. Such acquisitions 

 make stretches of stream available for public use. These purchases have included 

 habitat both for warm-water fish and for trout. In some areas arrangements have 

 been made with the Department of Lands and Forests for stocking of streams. 



Authorities are now including plans for fish and wildlife development as 

 part of their engineering for flood control structures. The excellent waterfowl 

 hunting at the Luther Reservoir is a by-product of the flood control program 

 of the Grand River Conservation Commission. 



Conservation Authorities have discovered that nature trails established in 

 their conservation areas are a fine means of educating the public on the natural 

 things to be found in these areas. Representative species of plants and trees 

 are marked along the trails. Several Authorities provide regular hikes with ex- 

 perienced guides at weekends. These hikes are most popular. Interpretive nature 

 displays have been built in several areas by three Authorities. 



The Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has under- 

 taken an extensive program in the field of research into the control of aquatic 

 weeds and algae in farm ponds. It has also undertaken experimental planting 

 of plots of various species of plants and shrubs which have value as wildlife habitat. 



Several Authorities have established fish and wildlife conservation areas. 

 These areas are on Authority-owned conservation land and have been developed for 

 low-intensity recreation in the form of fishing and nature study. Few facilities 

 other than some picnic tables are provided. These lands generally include streams 

 or ponds which can be developed for fishing and most areas have some forest cover. 



The Palgrave Fish and Wildlife Conservation Area in the Humber watershed 

 is an example of such land, as is the Peasmarsh Area on the shores of Georgian 

 Bay in the North Grey Region Authority. Areas for similar uses are planned 

 for the Grand and Upper Thames watersheds. 



Recreation 



Lands acquired by Authorities for conservation purposes, parts of which 

 are used for recreation, are known as conservation areas. These areas are usually 

 developed in conjunction with other uses of the land — for reservoirs, water 

 control or forestry. Recreational development includes such facilities as picnic 

 tables and shelters, fireplaces, swimming areas and boats, as well as provision 

 for camping, boating, fishing, winter sports and nature study. 



The development of recreational areas on conservation lands has been an 

 important development in many Authorities. The fact that there has been such 

 spectacular growth of conservation areas indicates not only the need for such 

 facilities but the fact that these facilities can be developed as an adjunct to 

 other conservation practices. Nevertheless, the development of recreational facilities 

 is ancillary to other conservation uses and absorbs less than one-fifth of Authority 

 budgets. 



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