Helping Canada Reach Its Goal to Protect 30 Percent of Land and Water by 2030
June 30, 2025, Toronto, ON – Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is proud to announce a significant contribution of 7,200 hectares of protected natural lands to Canada’s national database of conserved areas.
This recognition strengthens TRCA’s contribution to national and global conservation goals, including Canada’s commitment under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity to protect 30 percent of lands and inland waters by 2030.
The newly recognized lands were submitted for consideration to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) by Ontario Nature on behalf of TRCA. To support the submission, TRCA provided ecological studies, maps, and management documentation demonstrating how the lands are maintained to conserve nature and support climate resilience.
Ontario Nature evaluated the lands against the qualifications before submitting them to ECCC. ECCC has now formally recognized that these lands meet the standards for protected areas. Each site is supported by a long-term management plan and contributes to regional biodiversity and ecosystem health.
The protected lands span nine watersheds and 14 municipalities, including Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Vaughan, Markham, Ajax, and Caledon, some of the fastest-growing communities in the country.
As urbanization accelerates, this milestone reinforces the importance of conserving natural systems within the urban landscape to maintain ecological health, manage stormwater, and improve quality of life.
Among the sites included are conservation parks and areas such as Boyd Conservation Park, Albion Hills Conservation Park, Kortright Centre for Conservation, Palgrave Forest, and Nashville Conservation Reserve.
Many of these sites feature Provincially Significant Wetlands and Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest. They protect wetlands, improve air and water quality, reduce flood risk, and provide essential habitat for pollinators, native plants and animals, and species at risk.
Collectively, these newly assessed lands account for 7,284.73 hectares, bringing TRCA’s total nationally recognized protected areas to more than 9,650 hectares. These natural spaces support over 1,000 species of native plants and wildlife and provide essential access to nature for the more than four million residents living within two kilometres of these green spaces.
This illustrates both the scope and significance of TRCA’s conservation efforts and ecological impact across the region.
In addition to their natural value, these protected lands offer important community benefits. Parks, trails, and natural corridors provide space for recreation, learning, and connection to nature.
Well-known sites such as Petticoat Creek Conservation Park, Albion Hills Conservation Park, and The Village at Black Creek, along with educational hubs like the Claremont and Lake St. George field centres, bring nature into daily life for thousands of visitors annually.
These green spaces also serve as critical infrastructure in a region increasingly affected by climate-related events, helping communities adapt and prepare for future climate impacts.
Canada’s 30 by 30 target is part of an international agreement to conserve biodiversity and strengthen global climate resilience.
This milestone highlights the key role that local conservation authorities like TRCA play, together with municipal partners, in advancing these goals. It also reflects TRCA’s leadership in protecting biodiversity, restoring watershed health, and expanding access to green space across the region.
Quotes:
“Ontario Nature extends our heartfelt congratulations to Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) for their astounding contribution of over 7,000 hectares to Canada’s 30 by 30 target. We are proud to continue partnering with organizations like TRCA that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to biodiversity conservation.”
– Tony Morris, Conservation Policy and Campaigns Director, Ontario Nature
“We are proud to contribute to Canada’s progress toward the 30 by 30 target and to be part of a global movement to protect biodiversity. This recognition shows the national and international significance of the lands we manage. As our region grows, TRCA remains committed to preserving these spaces to sustain healthy communities, resilient ecosystems, and a sustainable future. We thank our partners for their support in reaching this important milestone.”
– John MacKenzie, Chief Executive Officer, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
About Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
Since 1957, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), as enabled through the provincial Conservation Authorities Act, has taken action to enhance our region’s natural environment and protect our land, water, and communities from the impacts of flooding and increasingly extreme weather events – Ontario’s leading cause of public emergencies.
As the region’s first line of defence against natural hazards, TRCA maintains vital infrastructure and provides programs and services that promote public health and safety, protecting people and property. TRCA mobilizes a science-based approach to provide sound policy advice, leveraging its position as a not-for-profit operating in the broader public sector to achieve collective impacts within our communities and across all levels of government.
TRCA’s dedication to its employees and sustainability has earned it recognition as both one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers and one of Canada’s Greenest Employers. These distinctions highlight TRCA’s commitment to fostering a supportive, innovative, and environmentally responsible workplace – dedicated to driving meaningful change and create lasting positive impacts in the communities it serves.
TRCA’s jurisdiction includes nine watersheds and their Lake Ontario shorelines, spanning six upper-tier and fifteen lower-tier municipalities and representing almost five million people, approximately 10% of Canada’s population.
To learn more about TRCA, visit trca.ca.
Media Contacts
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
Afiya Jilani
Specialist, Communication and Media Relations
Communications, Marketing and Events
afiya.jilani@trca.ca
media@trca.ca