July 23, 2025 — Conservation Halton

On July 22, Conservation Halton (CH) joined partners  Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA), Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA), Conservation Ontario (CO), and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative for the in-person launch of the  Lake Ontario Coastal Resilience Pilot Project. The event brought together Indigenous representatives, elected officials, municipal leaders, and conservation professionals to celebrate the start of this multi-jurisdictional initiative aimed at strengthening the long-term resilience of Lake Ontario’s coastal communities. Attendees engaged in a day of networking, informative presentations, and meaningful dialogue that underscored the importance of collaborative coastal stewardship. 

This milestone marks the local kickoff of a nationally significant effort, building on the Government of Canada’s $3.1 million investment through the Climate-Resilience Coastal Communities (CRCC) Program. The Lake Ontario Coastal Resilience Pilot is one of three Great Lakes projects selected to receive $1.5 million in funding under this initiative and will serve as a model for regional cooperation in the face of climate change. 

Thanks to the support of federal government to Conservation Ontario, the Lake Ontario Coastal Resilience Project will leverage conservation authorities’ expertise and regional collaboration along the Lake Ontario Shoreline to address climate change impacts. Conservation Halton is proud to bring its expertise of coastal hazards and climate change risks to this project, as we co-develop adaptation actions and best management practices that can be scaled up across the Great Lakes Region to support resilient communities.
— Chandra Sharma, President and CEO, Conservation Halton

Following opening remarks and formal presentations, the event continued with a focused technical working session, where project staff began mapping out the strategic direction and foundational elements of this important work. All project partners — including the Global Centre for Climate Change and Transboundary Waters, affiliated with Brock University — look forward to engaging with their respective communities throughout the next four years as this important work unfolds. 

The event marked not only the beginning of the project but also a renewed spirit of collaboration in the face of growing coastal challenges. For more information about the Lake Ontario Coastal Resilience Pilot Project, please visit getinvolved.npca.ca/lakeontarioshoreline.