Kawartha Conservation

Kawartha Conservation 🌊 Protecting the Kawartha Watershed 🌲
🔬 Science, 💧 Water Management, 🌿 Stewardship
✨ Inspiring sustainable landscapes & communities!

Don't miss out! Register now to Meet the Turtles! 🐢Join the Kawartha Conservation Foundation and the Ontario Turtle Cons...
06/01/2026

Don't miss out! Register now to Meet the Turtles! 🐢

Join the Kawartha Conservation Foundation and the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre for an interactive and educational morning at Ken Reid Conservation Area, where you'll discover the fascinating world of Ontario's native turtle species and learn how you can help protect them.

During this unique experience, you'll learn:
• How to identify Ontario's native turtles
• What to do if you encounter a turtle on the road or in the wild
• The challenges turtles face in our region
• Simple ways you can support turtle conservation
• Ontario Turtle Conservation work

This is a fantastic opportunity for nature lovers of all ages to connect with wildlife, meet conservation experts, and see turtles up close while learning how small actions can make a big difference.

📍 277 Kenrei Park Rd, Lindsay, ON
Saturday, June 13
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Entry by donation

Registration is required, and spaces are limited. Reserve your spot today!

Register here:
https://events.kawarthaconservation.com/default/Register/2026-06-13-1030-Meet-the-Turtles-An-Interactive-Conservation-Exper

🚗 Slow Down and Enjoy the Ride at Ken Reid Conservation AreaOur Conservation Lands team has been busy installing speed b...
06/01/2026

🚗 Slow Down and Enjoy the Ride at Ken Reid Conservation Area

Our Conservation Lands team has been busy installing speed bumps throughout Ken Reid Conservation Area to help keep visitors safe this summer.

Following recent road grading improvements, we've noticed vehicle speeds beginning to increase. While smoother roads are great for access, Ken Reid is a place where people come to walk, cycle, explore nature, and spend time with family. On any given day, you may encounter hikers, cyclists, birdwatchers, children, and pets enjoying the conservation area.

A reminder that the speed limit throughout the conservation area is 30 km/h.

Driving at a safe speed helps protect everyone using the park and reduces wear and tear on the road surface, helping us maintain it longer and make the most of available resources.

Thank you for doing your part to keep Ken Reid Conservation Area safe, welcoming, and enjoyable for all visitors.

Pigeon River Headwaters Conservation Area is now back open to the public! 🌲Our CA Lands crew has been working hard to re...
05/30/2026

Pigeon River Headwaters Conservation Area is now back open to the public! 🌲

Our CA Lands crew has been working hard to restore safe access throughout the conservation area, including clearing trails and addressing hazards across the property.

Please note that the boardwalk remains closed at this time.

Thank you for your patience during the closure, and a huge thank you to our Lands team for their dedication and hard work in helping visitors safely enjoy the conservation area once again!

What happens to road salt after winter ends?This spring, during sensitive fish spawning periods, Kawartha Conservation s...
05/29/2026

What happens to road salt after winter ends?
This spring, during sensitive fish spawning periods, Kawartha Conservation staff monitored chloride (salt) concentrations in both the water column and lake bed sediments in Sturgeon Lake and Pigeon Lake.
Using a clam-shell style Petite Ponar sampler, staff collected sediment samples from shallow nearshore areas and deeper waters to help assess potential impacts from road salt runoff.
Elevated chloride levels can have serious effects on aquatic life when concentrations exceed science-based guidelines, making this monitoring an important part of understanding and protecting watershed health.



Conservation Ontario City of Kawartha Lakes

Thinking about building near a lake, river, wetland, creek, or shoreline this summer?Before starting work, it’s worth ch...
05/28/2026

Thinking about building near a lake, river, wetland, creek, or shoreline this summer?

Before starting work, it’s worth checking whether your project may require a permit from Kawartha Conservation.

Many people are surprised to learn that projects involving:
• Shoreline work
• Grading or fill
• Retaining walls
• Culverts
• Docks or boathouses
• Building near water

…may require approval.

And not every project does.

That’s why our staff are here to help property owners understand what’s needed before work begins.

A quick conversation early in the process can help avoid delays, unexpected costs, and future flooding or erosion concerns.

Learn more:
https://www.kawarthaconservation.com/permits-and-planning/apply-for-a-permit/?utm_campaign=permit_awareness_2026&utm_source=general&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_content=building_near_water&utm_term=

Introducing our Weekly Shoreline Tips Series! Healthy, natural shorelines play an important role in protecting water qua...
05/27/2026

Introducing our Weekly Shoreline Tips Series!

Healthy, natural shorelines play an important role in protecting water quality, preventing erosion, supporting wildlife, and keeping our lakes beautiful for generations to come.

Over the next ten weeks, we’ll be sharing helpful tips and easy actions that shoreline land owners can use to help maintain a healthy, natural shoreline.

Whether you’re looking to learn something new, make small changes around your property, or simply better understand the importance of natural shorelines, this series is for you!

Stay tuned each week for new tips and shoreline-friendly ideas 💧

To learn more about creating and maintaining a healthy shoreline now, visit www.kawarthaconservation.com/shoreline or get in touch with Julia Derue, Stewardship Technician, by email at [email protected] or phone at 705-328-2271 ext. 241.

Our Conservation Lands staff were hard at work Tuesday spreading fresh mulch throughout the off-leash dog park at Ken Re...
05/26/2026

Our Conservation Lands staff were hard at work Tuesday spreading fresh mulch throughout the off-leash dog park at Ken Reid Conservation Area following the significant weekend rainfall.

The additional mulch will help improve muddy and low-lying areas, creating a cleaner, safer, and more comfortable space for both dogs and their owners to enjoy.

The dog park is just one of many areas our Conservation Lands team helps maintain across the watershed. From trail systems and conservation areas to restoration projects, signage, infrastructure, habitat work, and visitor experience improvements, staff work year-round to help ensure these shared natural spaces remain welcoming and accessible for the community.

We also want to thank our dog park users who continue to help keep the area clean and enjoyable for everyone. Community stewardship plays an important role in maintaining these spaces, and we appreciate the care and respect shown by so many visitors.

Thank you as well to our Conservation Lands staff for their continued hard work and dedication, especially following challenging weather conditions.

Ontario's Conservation Areas City of Kawartha Lakes

What can water bugs tell us about the health of our lakes, streams, and wetlands?Quite a lot.Earlier this spring, Kawart...
05/26/2026

What can water bugs tell us about the health of our lakes, streams, and wetlands?
Quite a lot.

Earlier this spring, Kawartha Conservation staff instructed the Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network (OBBN) certification course as part of our Innovation Hub project. Fourteen participants from across southern Ontario attended the course to become certified in this provincial standard approach to aquatic monitoring.

The OBBN program uses aquatic organisms such as insects, crustaceans, worms, and other benthic invertebrates as bioindicators to help assess watershed health and environmental conditions.

Participants took part in:
Classroom learning at the Field Centre
Field sampling in Lindsay
Laboratory analysis using microscopes

Programs like OBBN help support consistent, science-based monitoring and provide valuable information about the condition of aquatic ecosystems across Ontario.

A beautiful Northern Cardinal spotted during a stroll through Ken Reid Conservation Area by one of our summer staff🐦Fun ...
05/25/2026

A beautiful Northern Cardinal spotted during a stroll through Ken Reid Conservation Area by one of our summer staff🐦

Fun fact: A male cardinal’s bright red colour actually comes from the food it eats! The pigments called carotenoids, found in foods like berries and seeds, help enhance the vibrant red colour in their feathers. Nature is pretty amazing! 🌿

Have you spotted any cardinals on your outdoor adventures lately

A big shoutout to our Conservation Area Lands staff for all their hard work at Ken Reid Conservation Area! 🌿The team rec...
05/24/2026

A big shoutout to our Conservation Area Lands staff for all their hard work at Ken Reid Conservation Area! 🌿

The team recently completed repairs to one of our fantastic boardwalks connecting the Cedar Forest Loop and Point Loop, helping keep the trail safe and accessible for visitors to enjoy. They also tackled brush cleanup and installed new signage along parts of the Point Loop to provide clearer, easier access to areas such as our Group Camp site.

We’re incredibly grateful for the dedication and care that goes into maintaining these beautiful spaces for our community. Great job, team! 💚

Address

277 Kenrei Road
Lindsay, ON
K9V4R1

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+17053282271

Website

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