Contact(s)
The GRCA continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario. The health, safety and well-being of our staff, volunteers and the community remain our highest priority.
The GRCA will continue to monitor the situation and update this FAQ with new or changing information as it becomes available and as quickly as possible. If you have questions that we haven't answered below, please send us an email and we'll do our best to address them in a timely manner. Please note, our social media accounts are not monitored 24/7 and email remains the best way for staff to respond to questions not addressed below.
To stay up-to-date on changes to GRCA programs and services as they relate to the COVID-19 pandemic, please subscribe to this page by clicking the "subscribe to this page..." button in the top right corner.
This section answers questions related to our General Membership meetings, flood response, and planning and permits.
Is the GRCA holding regularly scheduled General Membership meetings? |
The regular GRCA General Membership meeting schedule is being maintained. Meetings are held virtually and streamed live on our Board Webcast page. Members of the public are invited to watch the meetings online. The GRCA board meets monthly, usually on the fourth Friday of the month beginning at 9:30 a.m. The board agendas, reports and minutes are available in our board meeting calendar. |
How can I communicate with the GRCA board as a delegation? |
Delegations are encouraged to submit written comments at least eight days prior to the scheduled meeting, in order for their written submission to be included in the published agenda. Written submissions will be received up to 48 hours prior to the meeting. In this case, the comments will be distributed to the board and received at the scheduled meeting; however, they will not be published in the online agenda.If you are unable to submit written comments and would prefer to appear virtually as a delegation, please contact us. |
How does the COVID-19 pandemic impact the GRCA's flood forecasting and warning system in the event of flooding? |
The GRCA's flood forecasting and warning system is critical to the safety of watershed residents. The GRCA is maintaining this critical service to the community, and will continue to work with municipal first responders to help protect the lives and property of our watershed residents in the event of flooding. Please visit our flood forecasting and warning system page to learn more. |
Can I still apply for a GRCA permit for my project? |
Yes. We continue to accept permit applications through our online permit application system. Please note that due to an increased volume of applications being received, complete applications for GRCA permits may take between 4-6 weeks to process. If you are unsure of how to apply for a permit, please review the information on our website about how to apply for a permit.If you have any questions about the application process you may contact the appropriate planner for your township or municipality via email with this completed form (and map). Complete applications that include technical reports and plans may require additional time. |
Can I submit paper permit applications? |
Yes. Hard copy permit applications may still be submitted to the GRCA Administration Centre (400 Clyde Road, PO Box 729, Cambridge, ON N1R 5W6). |
My permit application has been approved, but the permit has not yet been issued. How can I proceed with my project? |
Please contact the appropriate GRCA planner for your township or municipality with your questions. We are receiving a very high volume of general inquiries and there will be delays in responses. We thank you for your patience. |
Is the GRCA continuing to review submissions for Planning Act applications for their municipal partners? |
Yes. We continue to accept circulations and submissions for Planning Act applications. We will provide comments to our municipal partners under our existing Memoranda of Understanding. |
Is the GRCA responding to requests for Title Clearances? |
Yes. Please submit all title clearance requests to planning@grandriver.ca. We are receiving a very high volume of inquiries and there may be a delay in our response. We thank you for your patience. |
Can I volunteer as an individual or group for environmental projects? |
No, not at this time. Please note the GRCA's volunteer program has been temporarily suspended. |
Can I submit a proposal or conduct ecological research on GRCA property, or proceed with an existing permit? |
No, not at this time. All previously approved research permits have been temporarily suspended until further notice. Please subscribe to this FAQ page for program status updates. |
This section answers questions related to the GRCA Administration Centre, our trails and natural areas, nature centres and recreational activities.
Is the GRCA Administration Centre open? |
Yes. The GRCA’s Administration Centre in Cambridge is open for walk-ins and by appointment. You may also connect with us over the phone, by email and through our online permit application system. For deliveries, please proceed directly to the Shipping and Receiving Area. If entering the building, please wear a mask and follow guidelines on posted signage. View the Administration Centre hours of operation. |
Which GRCA trails and natural areas are open, and what activities are permitted? |
GRCA owned and managed trails and natural areas are open for activities. While using these properties, we ask that you:
Note: Properties may close due to safety concerns, maintenance and construction projects, among other reasons. Closures are published on our Service Disruptions page |
Which GRCA properties are closed? |
GRCA nature centres remain closed to the public, but are open for school groups. In addition, the GRCA is maintaining the closure of a number of properties in order to minimize the hazard tree risks presented by the decline of ash trees due to emerald ash borer (EAB). For more information on the properties impacted by these closures please read the news release. Signage is being posted at these properties and people are asked to respect the closures for their own safety. Properties may close for other reasons, such as public safety, maintenance and construction, among others. Closures are published on our Service Disruptions page. Members of the public are not permitted on closed properties. Please respect the closures. |
Are GRCA Nature Centres open? |
No. All GRCA nature centres remain closed to the public. School programming is currently underway with some school boards. Other outdoor environmental education programs for the public and community groups have been suspended until further notice. |
Will the GRCA offer summer day camps in 2022? |
After careful consideration, the GRCA has made the difficult decision to not offer day camps in 2022. The impact of the pandemic, coupled with the recent changes to the Conservation Authorities Act, continue to have a significant and ongoing impact on our outdoor environmental education program. Consequently, we are in the process of re-evaluating our program with a goal of long-term sustainability. At this time, we have made the decision to focus our limited resources on our school board partnerships and the delivery of the school program, as well as the ongoing program review. As part of our longer-term re-evaluation of the outdoor education program, we will consider our ability to offer day camp programs once again in the future. |
Are there staff at nature centres to provide outdoor education programming? |
At this time, all GRCA nature centres are closed to the public and our public outdoor environmental education programs have been suspended. GRCA staff and some watershed school boards are working together to deliver outdoor environmental education school programs. |
I would like to book my child’s birthday party or a program for my group at the nature centre. Can I make a booking? |
No. All GRCA nature centres remain closed. School programming is currently underway with limited school boards and is being offered in a modified and/or virtual setting. |
This section answers questions related to overnight camping, campsite reservations and membership passes.
Which Grand River Conservation Areas are open for limited use? Which are closed? |
Grand River Conservation Areas are open. For real-time information on conservation area and activity status, visit www.grandriver.ca/parkstatus. To view hours, gatehouse hours, and other information, please visit the conservation area's webpage linked below.
Note: Properties may close due to safety concerns, maintenance and construction projects, among other reasons. Closures are published on our Service Disruptions page. |
What can I do in conservation areas that are open? |
For real-time status of conservation areas and activities, visit www.grandriver.ca/parkstatus. Should the area be open but the gatehouse closed, please use the ePass system where available, or the self-registration and honour box. Standard entrance fees apply. Visitors should be aware that parking is limited. Garbage receptacles are available and will be emptied as frequently as possible, but please visit responsibly and if garbage bins are full, take your waste with you and dispose of it at home. To help protect both staff and visitors, the GRCA has implemented a number of measures to address overcrowding and promote physical distancing in its conservation areas and facilities. This includes managing the number of visitors. See the "How will I know when a conservation area has reached capacity?" section below. Visitors are reminded to adhere to provincial guidelines and restrictions. |
How will I know if a conservation area has reached capacity? |
To help you better plan your visits, please check www.grandriver.ca/conservationareastatus to find out if a conservation area is welcoming visitors or if it has reached capacity. The webpage provides real-time updates regarding the status of each area. Once a conservation area reaches full capacity, it will be closed until at least 4:30 p.m. and no additional visitors will be permitted. If attendance has decreased by 4:30 p.m. on a day that a conservation area has been closed due to capacity, it will reopen at that time for additional day-use visitors who may wish to take advantage of an evening visit. Standard admission rates apply. |
I pay taxes, don't I have a right to access Grand River Conservation Areas and other GRCA properties? |
Although it is commonly thought that land owned by the GRCA is public land, the GRCA is, in fact, a private landowner and subject to the same legal obligations as a private landowner. Grand River Conservation Areas receive no tax dollars and operate only on the funds they receive through gate access fees, camping revenue, and pay-for-use items like canoe and tubing rentals. |
How are the GRCA's conservation and natural areas different from Ontario Parks and conservation reserves? |
Ontario’s provincial park system is operated by our provincial government, while Grand River Conservation Areas are owned and operated by the Grand River Conservation Authority. Ontario Parks, operated by the provincial government, receive tax dollars to provide the access and services they do to visitors. Grand River Conservation Areas receive no tax dollars and operate only on the funds they receive through gate access fees, camping revenue, and pay-for-use items like canoe and kayak rentals. |
How are the GRCA's conservation and natural areas different from federal parks? |
Canada’s federal park system is operated by the Government of Canada, while Grand River Conservation Areas are owned and operated by the Grand River Conservation Authority. Federal parks, operated by the federal government, receive tax dollars to provide the access and services they do to visitors. Grand River Conservation Areas receive no tax dollars and operate only on the funds they receive through gate access fees, camping revenue, and pay-for-use items like canoe and kayak rentals. |
Can I camp overnight at a Grand River Conservation Area? |
Yes. Camping is available at all Grand River Conservation Areas that offer this service. All guests are expected to follow all provincial and local public health regulations, including gathering limits and physical distancing requirements. Camping at Grand River Conservation Areas is normally available annually between May 1 - October 15. For more information, visit our camping webpage. |
Can I make a reservation for overnight camping? |
Yes. Our Campsite Reservation System opens in early April for reservations between May 1 and October 15. For more information, visit our camping webpage. |
Can I purchase a Grand River Conservation Area membership pass or membership gift card? |
Yes. Grand River Conservation Area memberships are available for purchase at gatehouses during gatehouse operating hours, as well as online. Please note: Grand River Conservation Area memberships are not valid at Elora Quarry Conservation Area. |