Watershed-based Resource Management Strategy

The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) developed a Watershed-based Resource Management Strategy (Watershed Strategy) to guide the delivery and enhancement of its programs and services, while improving efficiency and effectiveness in supporting mandatory programs of the Conservation Authorities Act. The Watershed Strategy provides a framework for managing watershed resources sustainably.

The NPCA Watershed Strategy aligns with the 10-year Strategic Plan and focuses on enhancing watershed health, fostering climate resilience, and integrating stakeholder input while maintaining NPCA’s Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) approach.

Key issues addressed in the strategy include climate variability, growth pressures, biodiversity loss, invasive species, and water quality impacts. Several mitigation strategies were outlined, such as:

1. Strengthening the IWM approach through monitoring, data collection, planning, and stewardship.
2. Enhancing restoration, education, and outreach programs rooted in IWM principles.
3. Building partnerships with municipalities, Indigenous communities, landowners, and other stakeholders.
4. Expanding financial support through diverse funding strategies and collaboration with the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Foundation.

Engagement Highlights
The Watershed Strategy was developed through extensive public and stakeholder engagement, gathering feedback via in-person and online stakeholder meetings, a Public Information Centre, a survey, and additional engagement tools through this portal. Community participation was key to the success of NPCA’s Watershed Strategy and we thank everyone who participated in this important process.

As you read through the Watershed Strategy, you will find:

• NPCA's vision for the continued protection of natural systems and mitigation of natural hazards in the communities it serves.
• Guiding principles and objectives from NPCA's Strategic Plan, which informs the design of programs and services;
• Summary of information NPCA relies on to directly inform and support program and service delivery; and
• Issues and risks which may limit effective delivery of programs and services, and the mitigation strategies and actions to address these.

Review Cycle
The Watershed Strategy will be reviewed every five years to ensure adaptability to changing environmental, socioeconomic, and legislative conditions. This living document ensures NPCA remains proactive in preserving the Niagara Peninsula watershed's health and meeting evolving conservation and community needs.

While the engagement period has now ended, we welcome you to use the Q&A tool below if you have any questions related to this project.

For all other inquiries not related to this project, please visit https://npca.ca/contact.

The Watershed Strategy is a requirement of Ontario Regulation 686/21 and was to be completed by December 31, 2024.