Conservation Trust
On April 22, 2025 (Earth Day), Mayor Alex Nuttall signed an executive order directing City staff to report to General Committee on the creation of a Conservation Trust to protect lands in the area of Little Lake and other environmentally sensitive areas in and around Barrie including a framework, budget and authority to be functioning by 2026.
This executive order signals a significant commitment to conservation and the protection of Barrie's green spaces for future generations. The protected land will provide residents with more opportunities to connect with nature and reflects the City’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.
“By taking this step, we’re ensuring that our city grows with nature in mind, not at its expense." "By creating a conservation trust, we’re making a long-term, concrete commitment to the future of our natural environment, ensuring these lands remain undeveloped for future generations to enjoy.”
Mayor Alex Nuttall
City staff have been instructed to identify and prioritize lands for long-term protection, and to report back with exact locations and designations of the protected lands.
The Conservation Trust will act as an independent board and ensure these lands will be environmentally protected for perpetuity. The members of the Trust will include Mayor Nuttall, Deputy Mayor Thomson, Councillor Kungl, Councillor Nigussie and Councillor Harvey. City staff have also been directed to explore the inclusion of the Mayor of Springwater and members of the public on the board.
The City wants to hear from the public on what lands they would like to be included in the Conservation Trust, such as Ardagh Bluffs, Sunnidale forest, etc.
The following lands won't be eligible for the Conservation Trust:
- an active park
- land that is not owned by the City
What City of Barrie lands should be included in a new Conservation Trust?
Lover’s Creek Ravine
Lover’s Creek and the trails surrounding it need protection. I hike them often and see so much beautiful plant and wildlife. The correct, Canadian thing to do is to protect our ecosystems here in Barrie and in Ontario as a whole. Thank you.
Lovers creek
OBJECTID: 260
TAX_OBJECT: 76891
PARCELID: 1042175
RollNo: 434205000622344
FullAddres: STUNDEN LANE
StreetName: STUNDEN LANE
OwnerTax: BARRIE CITY
Mail1Tax: PO BOX 400 STN MAIN
MailCityTa: BARRIE
MailProvin: ON
OBJECTID: 260
TAX_OBJECT: 76891
PARCELID: 1042175
RollNo: 434205000622344
FullAddres: STUNDEN LANE
StreetName: STUNDEN LANE
OwnerTax: BARRIE CITY
Mail1Tax: PO BOX 400 STN MAIN
MailCityTa: BARRIE
MailProvin: ON
MailCountr: CANADA
MailPcodeT:
Stunden lane on conservation map should in the conservation trust. It's gorgeous.
Ardagh Bluffs must be protected at all costs! It’s is one of the few forested areas we have left! Everything keeps getting turned into housing.
Protect Stunden lane area in Barrie
Would Ep land be developed? So we have to worry about our forests and open areas being destroted and developed? Protect all forested areas in south and north Barrie.
Lovers creek and acres of woods in South end of Barrie behind Seline Crescent.
Patrick Dr/Stunden Lane trail entry system in ward 9 and land should be included. All land in the south end of Barrie behind Shepherd drive in ward 9 also.
Please protect Lovers' Creek in Barrie's Ward 9 and add it to the proposed Conservation Trust.
Lovers creek south! Ardagh Bluffs. The section between McKay and Salam Rd! A trail there for future residents would be nice.
I would like Sandy Hollow disc golf course to be strongly considered for conservation. It is a beautiful green space with rec activity’s and walking trails that are not only heavily utilized by the community but also utilized by tourist players.
Removed by moderator.
Allandale Station Park has been recognized by thousands of residents as a natural waterfront property worth protecting and would be an ideal parcel to be added to Barrie's Conservation Trust.
Both parcels of protected land on the left and right of Red Oak Dr, between Bear Creek High school and Bear Creek Dr. need to be added to the Conservation Trust. They are small but contain so much wildlife, trees, insects and storm water basins.
Both parcels of protected land on the left and right of Red Oak Dr, between Bear Creek High school and Bear Creek Dr. need to be added to the Conservation Trust. They are small but contain so much wildlife, trees, insects and storm water basins.
Ardagh Bluffs is right outside my front door—an irreplaceable forest that offers peace, trails, and vital habitat. It deserves lasting protection. Please include it in the Conservation Trust to preserve this natural treasure in Barrie’s south end.
Please include the Ardagh Bluffs in the conservation trust . Preserving these natural woodlands, native plant species, wetlands, and wildlife habitats, would protect it's ecology while providing a natural sanctuary for walking and hiking
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Mayor Nuttall wants to know which City of Barrie lands you want to see added in a new Conservation Trust.
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