Credit Where Credit is Due!

Recently the Ontario Government posted ERO 19-9306 on Expanding Protected Areas inOntario for consultation by the public until November 24, 2025. It is a great initiative that deserves praise. The proposal involves 43 sites encompassing12,600 ha being added to the provincial parks and conservation reserves system.Many of these areas were first identified as needing protection in the OntarioLiving Legacy (OLL) process of the late 1990s but other lands have been acquired and add to this process of expanding the area receiving formal protection to all of Ontario’s natural regions.

Most of the additions are small parcels that supplement existing protected parcels but there are two new proposed official provincial parks including CockburnIsland and Hay Marsh both in Lake Huron. In addition, some of the additions to existing parks are so large they could be considered the equivalent of making anew park. Beyond that there are 10 new conservation reserves proposed.

The newly protected lands are also distributed widely throughout the province.Twenty are in the northeast zone, seven in the northwest, two in the south east and the remaining thirteen in the southwest zone.

So the effort gets positive reviews from Earthroots. But, we must note that the work to protect 30% of the natural lands of the province is far from over. We note that long standing disputes like the prior commitment to form a park atWolf Lake is still not resolved. Other jewels of natural heritage are still at risk. But we must give credit where credit is due and it clearly is a great effort.

The proposal (ERO 19-9306) is open for public comment until November 24, 2025.People should check out the details, especially those lands near their favourite destinations and comment liberally. The efforts by provincial staff to compile this initiative deserve our recognition.

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