In February 2004, the CLOCA Board of Directors approved the Long Sault Conservation Area Management Plan. Begun in the summer of 2002, the Long Sault Conservation Area management planning process was open to the public throughout its development and specifically at two public open houses held in 2003. The Management Plan outlines the ecological importance, health and sensitivity of the Area’s natural features, a future vision for the Area, and a management framework that will help to achieve the long-term goals for the property.

Implementation of this newly approved management plan for Long Sault Conservation Area has already begun with a number of initiatives in 2004:

• Retiring a section of trail that passed through a very sensitive coniferous swamp and rerouting it through a less sensitive area.
• Connecting the east and west sections of Long Sault Conservation Area with a new trail connection (made possible in part because of the acquisition of the Wiseman Tract in 2003 with support from the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation).
• Reorganization of the trail loops and directions of travel for both mountain bikers and hikers in order to reduce conflicts between these two groups and reduce trail erosion problems.
• Developing new trail signage in order to provide a level of consistency and reduce confusion.
• Developing a partnership with the Oak Ridges Trail Association and working together to bring the Oak Ridges Trail through Long Sault Conservation Area. This partnership also resulted in the creation of a new access point and connecting trail in the northeast corner of the Conservation Area.
• Discussions with the Clarington Emergency and Fire Services regarding the development of an emergency strategy for Long Sault Conservation Area in case of a medical or fire emergency.
• Discussions with Hydro One regarding the management of the ground cover within the hydro corridor that runs through the Conservation Area.
• Some red pine plantations within the Conservation Area have been marked for thinning. Proper thinning of the plantations will open up the canopy and increase the plant diversity in the under-storey. On going management within the plantations will help these areas become naturally forested areas over time.
• Garbage has been removed from the Wiseman Tract and from other locations within the Conservation Area.

Interim management plans have been developed in 2004 for the Crow’s Pass Conservation Area (Easter Seal Tract) and the Rahmani Tract, both of which were new acquisitions in 2003 made possible with support from the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation. These interim management plans outline the actions required to secure the properties from such things as unauthorized public use through signage and access control measures. Consideration is also given to any safety hazards that may be present on the property, and whether or not there is a need for neighbourhood educational material or immediate resource management to protect the existing natural heritage features.

If you would like to participate in management activities within our conservation lands, please visit our Volunteer Program pages.

Conservation Area Management Plans

Land Management

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