Kawartha Conservation phasing in reopening of conservation areas

DAN CEARNS, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, for The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES/SCUGOG: Kawartha Conservation has announced they’ve begun the process of opening their conservation areas. The first conservation area to open was Windy Ridge Conservation Area in Omemee on Thursday, May 14th. Lindsay’s Ken Reid Conservation Area was next to open on Tuesday, May 19th. Conservation staff are continuing to work at Durham East Cross Forest, Pigeon River Headwaters and Fleetwood Creek to get them ready, with the conservation authority stating, in a press release, “details on their re-opening will be announced in the coming weeks.” “We understand and appreciate how much our community values our green spaces,” Kristie Virgoe, Kawartha Conservation’s Director of Stewardship and Conservation Lands, said in a press release. “Our staff have worked tirelessly to be able to get our conservation areas ready to be able to open for passive use, ensuring appropriate measures are in place to protect the health and safety of staff and visitors.” Community members are being asked to follow the rules when accessing these conservation areas. “We’re asking people to make sure they are practicing social distancing, staying 6 feet apart, making sure pets are on a leash at all times and that visitors take any garbage with them when they leave,” Ms. Virgoe explained. “We are all adjusting to the current situation and the only way through this is together, so I’m asking everyone to be patient and to be respectful so we can all enjoy our conservation area experiences again.” Kawartha Conservation is also working on plans on how they can safely open conservation area amenities. For more information, visit www.kawarthaconservation.com.