1. Conservation Authorities Contribute to Healthy Watersheds & Healthy People

2. Major Impact- 90% of Ontarians

3. More important now than ever… With nature being vital to our health and economy, and with increasing climate change impacts, the mandate of Conservation Authorities remains as relevant now as when it was initially formulated.

4. Watershed Planning Watershed Management Initiatives (Low water response, land use planning, water management infrastructure) Climate Change Strategies Flood Hazard Management Science and Monitoring Natural Heritage Stewardship Initiatives Water Quality/Quantity Programs Contributing to Watershed Health

5. Linking Watershed Health to Public Health Goal 4: Quality of Place Experts for Healthy Living Build new partnerships within health sector Reinforce & demonstrate connections between healthy local environments and social/health care goals Encouraging healthier, active lifestyles through Conservation Areas programs

6. Outdoor Recreation & Education Nearly 147,000 ha of lands 7 million visitors annually Nearly 300 publicly accessible Conservation Areas have over 8,400 campsites and 2,500 km of trails Environmental education programs for 431,000 students (nearly 3900 schools) per yr

7. Making Health Connections

8. Province-wide CA/CO campaign that engages people with nature Uses a contest to challenge Ontarians to get active in nature Provides online and printed learning resources to help public learn about health and environment www.healthyhikes.ca

9. Healthy Hikes Partners

10. “Healthy Hikes provided me with the guidance, resources, and motivation to take up hiking as a new pursuit…Several of the nature walks I completed were with CMHA Elgin's Mood Walks group…I incorporated our weekly hikes into my routine and it was life-changing. During the challenge, I noticed that my physical health improved, my moods became more positive, and my outlook on nature was transformed… I also came to realize that Ontario has some wonderful parks, trails, and conservation areas to experience and explore!”

11. Thank you! Jayme Crittenden Communications Officer Conservation Ontario jcrittenden@conservationontario.ca 905-895-0716 x. 233