City of Waterloo and GRCA working together on future of Laurel Creek Nature Centre

The City of Waterloo and the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) are working on an agreement for the transfer of a 123-acre parcel of GRCA land within the City that includes the Laurel Creek Nature Centre. The City of Waterloo and the GRCA are also collaborating on an operational agreement to support the continued delivery of the GRCA’s Environmental Education Program at the nature centre for a 5-year period, while the GRCA transitions its program to future locations within its Grand River Conservation Areas.

The City intends to maintain the property as publicly usable parkland and community green space, while exploring opportunities for a portion of the property to be developed as an Indigenous gathering space.

For more than 50 years, the GRCA has delivered environmental education programs to people of all ages at five nature centres across the Grand River watershed. Currently, three of the GRCA’s nature centres operate on dedicated, standalone properties, including the Laurel Creek Nature Centre in the City of Waterloo. The nature centre, established in the 1970s, welcomes elementary and secondary students and community groups who participate in hands‑on outdoor learning experiences that foster environmental awareness and stewardship.

Following amendments to the Conservation Authorities (CA) Act and due to operational disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, GRCA staff undertook a comprehensive review of the Environmental Education Program. Amendments to the CA Act changed how the program is funded, specifically, the program is required to operate without any municipal money unless there is a formal funding agreement in place. In October 2023, GRCA staff brought forward the review of the program to the GRCA Board. The review aimed to ensure strategic alignment, financial sustainability, and improved integration with other GRCA programs and services. It recommended relocating programming from standalone nature centres to fee‑for‑use conservation areas for greater operational efficiency, with further discussions needed regarding the future of the standalone facilities.

In November 2023, the GRCA Board directed staff to continue discussions with municipalities, school boards and other interested agencies regarding funding and/or other potential opportunities for the three standalone properties and facilities, including the Laurel Creek Nature Centre.

Those discussions have since led to an agreement in principle between the City of Waterloo and the GRCA for the disposition of the Laurel Creek Nature Centre and approximately 123 acres of supporting lands to the City. The City and the GRCA are also collaborating on an operational agreement that will support the continued delivery of the GRCA’s Environmental Education Program at the nature centre for a 5-year period, while the GRCA relocates the program to operate at new locations within its Grand River Conservation Areas.  

“The GRCA is immensely grateful to the City of Waterloo for its support in helping ensure the Environmental Education Program continues to serve the Waterloo Region community,” says GRCA Chair John Challinor II. “The transfer and proposed operational agreement will support a smooth transition of the program over the next five years, while creating opportunities for continued collaboration.”

“We are pleased to support the GRCA as they transition their Environmental Education Program, while ensuring this property, which has meant so much to the community over the years, remains publicly owned and accessible," says City of Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe. "I'm happy we will continue to preserve these environmentally significant lands, and I look forward to consultations with members of local Indigenous communities on a potential gathering space."

The transfer and operational agreement in principle were approved by the GRCA Board on May 22, 2026, and the City of Waterloo Council on May 25, 2026. It is anticipated the transfer and operational agreement will be finalized in late summer or early fall 2026.

Resources

GRCA Board Report GM-10-23-76: Outdoor Environmental Education Program Review

GRCA Board Report GM-09-24-78: Update - Outdoor Environmental Education Program Review

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