CONSERVATION AREAS

READ BEFORE YOU GO

Remember when you visit any of our conservation areas, you are a guest of the forest, meadows or wetlands being protected. This is a collective legacy that we will share with future generations, an inheritance for them to use and enjoy. If we don’t look after what we have, we all lose. So your responsibility and ours can be realized, here is what we expect from you when visiting a conservation area.

Know which uses are permitted before participating by checking out our information kiosk located at the entrance of each Conservation Area. Always follow the trail etiquette rules below:

Access is only permitted on marked trails. Please stay on the trail. Staying on the trail will also reduce your exposure to poisonous plants and ticks and protect our native plants and animals.

Respect wildlife and our Conservation Area neighbours by staying on marked trails and avoiding excessive noise.

Stay right when approaching oncoming users and give the right of way to slower users. Cyclists please follow dismounting signage.

Pack out what you pack in. Garbage cans are not present in most locations in an effort to keep wildlife wild and our Operations Staff available for Conservation Area maintenance. Learn More.

Keep pets on a maximum two-meter leash. Stoop, scoop and take home all pet waste.

Wildlife can find their own food. To stay safe and keep the wildlife safe and healthy, please only feed songbirds only seeds.

Fishing is permitted at Enniskillen and Heber Down Conservation Areas. Please stay on the designated trails and only fish at approved locations. You may find this Durham Region Fishing Map helpful. Provincial regulations apply including a valid fishing license and catch limits. Anglers must follow provincial fishing practices for Zone 17.

Professional photographers using the Conservation Areas to do business require a photography permit. and must stay on marked trails.

Do not bait animals for photographic purposes.

Please refrain from moving property like picnic tables, signage or washrooms.

Possession and or consumption of alcohol is prohibited.

Before you leave a Conservation Area, give invasive species the brushoff by cleaning your footwear, bikes, pets, canoes and kayaks.

Keep at least two metres away from the edges of ridges and valleys. Keep children and pets away from these areas.

Please stay on bridges for creek crossings. DO NOT swim or walk through the water or allow dogs in the water.

Always cover up to protect yourself from harmful ultra violet exposure to sun or insects like ticks that can transmit Lyme disease.

Camping or campfires are not permitted in any of our Conservation Areas.

Trails are not maintained in the winter.

We are managing invasive species in our Conservation Areas. Some of these such as Giant Hogweed and Wild Parsnip can be harmful to your health. Learn to recognize invasive species and please report any you find. Staying on the trails, keeping your pets on a leash, and cleaning off your footwear and equipment will help stop their spread.

Please use the boot brushes located at the Conservation Area kiosks to clean off any seeds before entering and exiting each Conservation Area.

Giant Hogweed

Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) staff and Conservation Area Trail Steward (CATS) volunteers maintain and manage all eight Conservation Areas in Durham Region.

Although CLOCA makes every effort to keep its trails and Conservation Areas open 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset, they may be closed for brief periods for maintenance or weather conditions. Please check for alerts on CLOCA's Facebook and the appropriate Conservation Area page for possible closures or service disruptions.

Report concerns including litter, unsanctioned activities, and impacts to the trails like fallen branches or trees.

Report a Concern

For urgent issues, please call 905-579-0411.