Two Conservation Authorities now are producing shrubs for wildlife habitat 

 improvement. The Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 

 and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority are making extensive use 

 of the shrubs and trees produced in their own nurseries for planting in reforestation 

 and conservation lands. 



Conservation Authorities have discovered that nature trails constructed in 

 their conservation areas are an excellent means of providing public education as 

 well as public enjoyment. Most of the Conservation Authorities have constructed 

 nature trails in their major conservation areas. 



Research 



One Authority in particular, the Metropolitan Toronto and Region, has 

 undertaken an extensive program in the field of research, particularly in the 

 control of aquatic weeds and algae in farm ponds. The Authority is continuing 

 its research into the construction features of farm ponds in relation to good fish 

 habitat. They have also undertaken experimental planting of plots of various 

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



Forest and Wildlife Conservation Areas 



Several Authorities are considering the acquisition and development of land 

 for low intensity recreational use. These lands will have forest cover on a 

 percentage of the area and generally include streams or ponds which can be 

 developed for fishing. Wildlife habitat will be encouraged in the open spaces. 

 Limited recreational facilities such as picnic tables will be provided. Primarily, 

 such properties are for nature study and for fishing. The Metropolitan Toronto 

 and Region Conservation Authority has one such property, the Palgrave Fish and 

 Wildlife Conservation Area in the Humber watershed, which has been developed 

 along such lines. 



RECREATION 



Conservation reports made to Authorities contain a section dealing with the 

 recreational resources of the watershed and include recommendations for develop- 

 ment of some of these areas. Such recommendations are made in conjunction 

 with others for the use of land — such as those dealing with the construction of 

 reservoirs and with reforestation. 



Lands acquired by Authorities for conservation purposes, parts of which are 

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

 with such recreational facilities as picnic tables and shelters, fireplaces, swimming 

 areas and beaches. Facilities for camping and boating, fishing and hunting, skating, 

 skiing and nature study are also important. Recreational use of Authority lands 

 is developed usually in conjunction with and ancillary to its other conservation 

 uses; for example, recreation may be developed on flood plain lands, valley slopes, 

 around source areas and reforestation lands, woodlands and wetlands acquired by 

 the Authority. 



The creation of conservation areas with their recreational facilities has been 

 one of the most important developments in many of the Authorities in the 



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