Conservation Areas Workshop 2026

2026 Workshop Dates: October 26-28, 2026, The Fern Resort
Winter Site Visit: February 19, 2026, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Westfield Heritage Village, Valens Lake Conservation Area & Spencer Gorge

Hosted by: Hamilton Conservation Authority

Taking place on Thursday, February 19 at Westfield Heritage Village (Rockton, ON), with travel and tours of Spencer Gorge and Valens Lake, Hamilton Conservation Authority staff will share with attendees topics including waterfall viewing and visitor management, cabin camping and winter operations, heritage events and volunteer coordination! Morning refreshments and lunch is included.

The Winter Site Visit is FREE for those who attended the 2025 Conservation Areas Workshop, and only $25 (plus hst) for new registrants.

Those interested in attending are kindly asked to RSVP and REGISTER for the 2026 CAW Winter Site Visit. Capacity is limited, so be sure to register soon!

And – if you haven’t already, please SAVE THE DATE for the 2026 Conservation Areas Workshop, hosted by Hamilton Conservation Authority at the Fern Resort, October 26-28, 2026!

Visit the Conservation Areas Workshop website for more details: https://www.conservationareasworkshop.ca/

If you have any questions, please email caw@conservationareasworkshop.ca

View recordings of past CA Workshop Webinars here.
Questions or comments about the webinars can be directed to caw@conservationareasworkshop.ca.

WHAT IS THE CONSERVATION AREAS WORKSHOP (CAW)?

For 16 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 (CAW). The workshop provides an opportunity and platform for engagement, sharing experiences and best practices, training, and collaboration. The CAW 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), Stephanie Reed (CO), Melissa Creasy-Alexander (KC), Alicia Powell (NPCA), Sarah Hutley (NPCA), Brandon Williamson (UTRCA), Mike Bax (ABCA), Al Bradford (CCCA), Adam Boyd (CH).