ABSTRACT
Implementation actions for the protection and enhancement of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence ecosystem happen at the local scale with local partners. Therefore, a strong framework is needed to link Great Lakes/St. Lawrence objectives to local priorities and to engage local partners and citizens. This framework is lacking in Ontario. Conservation Authorities’ Integrated Watershed Management approach represents an existing, established model that is already contributing to the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence, but could be more fully utilized to advance objectives. Th e chapter describes Conservation Ontario, Conservation Authorities and their integrated watershed management approach. It discusses the benefi ts of integrated watershed management to the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence, the
lessons learned from its application to date, and, illustrates leading edge eff orts in the Rouge River watershed. Th e chapter describes strengthening integrated watershed management benefi ts across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Basins and makes recommendations for moving forward.
