Celebrating 20 Years – Stronger Together

The Conservation Areas Workshop (CA Workshop) brings together professionals from across Ontario to connect, learn, and share ideas about the future of conservation land management and park operations.

The 2026 CA Workshop will provide an engaging opportunity to explore innovative approaches, practical solutions, and best practices that help strengthen conservation areas and the experiences they offer. Through thought-provoking sessions, hands-on learning, networking, and knowledge sharing, participants will gain new ideas and insights they can take back to their organizations and communities.

Grounded in three pillars — People, Planning, and Places — the CA Workshop celebrates the people who make conservation possible, the planning and partnerships that support success, and the places we work together to protect and enhance.

Whether you're looking to expand your professional knowledge, discover new tools and approaches, connect with colleagues, or be inspired by the work happening across the province, the 2026 CA Workshop is an opportunity to learn from one another and help shape the future of conservation.

The 2026 CA Workshop is proudly hosted by the Hamilton Conservation Authority.

Event Date: October 27-28, 2026
Location: Fern Resort, Orillia, ON
Explore the 2026 CA Workshop Program! 
Choose the registration option that's right for you – REGISTER TODAY!

2026 Conservation Areas Workshop Bursary Program
Click here to apply by Wednesday, September 30

Conservation Areas Workshop Bursary
The Conservation Areas Workshop Committee is committed to assisting members of the Conservation Authority community to access the remarkable learning and networking opportunity that is the Conservation Areas Workshop. The CA Workshop Bursary aims to remove financial barriers for those wishing to attend. The CA Workshop Bursary is awarded to staff that showcase how attending the workshop will benefit their growth and development within their role and how they will pass their experience and what they have learned onto others within their Conservation Authority.

Conservation Ontario proudly supports the Conservation Areas Workshop Bursary, helping deserving staff access this well-regarded annual workshop and invest in their professional growth and development.

Bruce Harschnitz Memorial Bursary
The Bruce Harschnitz Memorial Bursary, awarded annually to a Conservation Authority staff member who exemplifies the true spirit of teamwork and demonstrates a commitment to best conservation practices and principles. The awarded recipient supports the growth and success of their peers and team, reflecting Bruce's dedication to collaboration and excellence in conservation.

Visit the website to learn more about the Conservation Areas Workshop or email caw@conservationareasworkshop.ca.

View recordings of past CA Workshop Webinars here.

What is the Conservation Areas Workshop?

For 20 years, conservation professionals working in parks and open spaces, from the 36 member organizations within Conservation Ontario, have been gathering at the Conservation Areas Workshop. The workshop provides an opportunity and platform for engagement, sharing experiences and best practices, training, and collaboration. The CA Workshop continues to provide an excellent source of knowledge to our participants through virtual opportunities. Workshop attendees come from the fields of conservation and land management, including planners, educators, foresters, park operations and enforcement officers and so many others that help to protect parks and open spaces. We discuss and share the challenges, collaborative efforts, lessons learned, and potential solutions for multi-dimensional issues that affect us all.

Conservation Areas Workshop Steering Committee

Co-chairs: Brandon Good (HCA) & Liam Fletcher (HCA)
Committee members: David Orr (CVC), Ryan Mackett (LRCA), Michelle Willows (LRCA), Nekeisha Mohammed (CO), Gaffney Luk (CO), Melissa Creasy-Alexander (KC), Alicia Powell (NPCA), Sarah Hutley (NPCA), Brandon Williamson (UTRCA), Mike Bax (ABCA), Al Bradford (CCCA), Adam Boyd (CH).