Every conservation area I've visited offered a good family day-trip for under $20… and Ontario has over 300 of them! I was surprised to learn that back in the 1940's, wide areas of the province were strained by deforestation and erosion. Worsening spring floods were followed by low summer flows of polluted water. The province encouraged the creation of locally based conservation authorities who were petitioned by municipalities to solve ecological problems. Dams and reservoirs were built and today, flooding has virtually been eliminated. The conservation areas have broadened their activities to include restoration, recreation and education.
