What St. Clair Region Conservation Authority does

St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) is a non-share corporation established in 1974 under Section 3 of Ontario's Conservation Authorities Act, operating as a mandated watershed management agency across 17 participating municipalities in southwestern Ontario. Its jurisdiction covers watersheds draining into southern Lake Huron, the St. Clair River, and northeastern Lake St. Clair, anchored by the W. Darcy McKeough Floodway — Ontario's largest flood diversion infrastructure, completed in 1984, controlling approximately 37% of the East and North Sydenham River drainage basins upstream of Wallaceburg. The Authority operates 19 conservation areas including three campgrounds (A.W. Campbell with 140 sites, Warwick with 230 serviced sites, and Lorne C. Henderson), maintaining roughly 370 campsites and additional day-use recreational lands.

SCRCA's core service portfolio spans regulatory permitting under Ontario Regulation 41/24 (floodplain, wetland, and shoreline development review), flood forecasting via 11 stream gauges and 5 snow sampling stations, environmental monitoring (benthic, water quality, species at risk), habitat restoration, tree planting and woodlot services, invasive species management, and conservation education programs for K–12 schools. Revenue is generated through five primary streams: municipal cost-apportioning levies from 17 member municipalities (recurring subscription model), regulatory and permit fees (professional services), conservation area camping and day-use fees (transaction-based), annual tree seedling and native wildflower sales via an online shop (January–March ordering), and charitable donations to the affiliated St. Clair Region Conservation Foundation (SCRCF).

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors with municipal appointees and operates with a staff of 11–50 (approximately 45 named personnel across Corporate Services, Planning and Regulations, Water Resources, Biology, Conservation Services, and Conservation Areas divisions). Digital infrastructure includes an online GIS property mapping tool, e-commerce tree ordering portal, and GoingToCamp third-party reservation platform; technology plays no role in AI/ML or differentiated proprietary product development. The Authority maintains a broad partnership ecosystem including Conservation Ontario, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment Canada, and corporate sponsors (Dow Chemical Canada, Enbridge, RBC Foundation, Shell, ICI Canada).

Name

St. Clair Region Conservation Authority

Legal name

St. Clair Region Conservation Authority

Website

https://scrca.on.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

St. Clair Region Conservation Authority is a mandated Ontario watershed management agency established in 1974, serving 17 municipalities with flood forecasting, regulatory permitting under Ontario Regulation 41/24, environmental monitoring, habitat restoration, and campground operations across 19 conservation areas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Management Services

NAICS

Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Support Activities for Forestry (11531)

SIC

Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater) (BPAIAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK), Watershed Protection & Water Quality Services (AFAMAMAB), Wetland, Riparian & Buffer Services (within forest landscapes) (AFAMAMAI)

Keywords

• Watershed management services
• Conservation area recreation
• Flood forecasting services
• Environmental monitoring programs
• Habitat restoration services

Headquarters

HQ city

Strathroy

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Municipal Funding and Agreements: The SCRCA receives funding from 17 participating municipalities through cost apportioning agreements and Memorandums of Understanding. Each municipality contributes based on services provided and benefit received.
2. Planning and Regulatory Fees: Fees charged for permit applications, property inquiries, plan review services, and technical report reviews under Ontario Regulation 41/24.
3. Conservation Area Revenue: Revenue from camping fees, seasonal camping, day use fees, and campsite reservations at A.W. Campbell, Lorne C. Henderson, and Warwick Conservation Areas.
4. Tree Seedling and Large Stock Sales: Sale of tree seedlings and large stock trees to private and public landowners, with online ordering annually from January through March.
5. Foundation Donations: Charitable donations to the St. Clair Region Conservation Foundation (SCRCF) supporting conservation programs, with charitable receipts issued for donations of $20 or more.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority delivers watershed management and conservation services to 17 participating municipalities in southwestern Ontario. Its core offerings include flood forecasting and warning, planning and regulatory permitting under Ontario Regulation 41/24, tree planting and woodlot services, environmental monitoring, habitat restoration, invasive species control, landowner stewardship grants, conservation education programs, and operation of three campgrounds (A.W. Campbell, Lorne C. Henderson, Warwick) within a 19-area conservation lands network.

Product overview

The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority operates a network of 19 conservation areas providing outdoor recreation including camping, hiking, and nature education, alongside regulatory services for watershed management. Core offerings include planning and regulations (permits, property inquiries), watershed services (tree planting, environmental monitoring, habitat restoration, invasive species control), flood warning systems, and conservation education programs. The organization also maintains the W. Darcy McKeough Floodway as critical flood protection infrastructure. Digital services include an online mapping tool for regulatory inquiries, a tree ordering e-commerce platform, and campsite reservations through a third-party system. The portfolio is organized around three regional campgrounds (A.W. Campbell, Lorne C. Henderson, Warwick) as primary visitor destinations, complemented by numerous day-use conservation areas and habitat management lands throughout southwestern Ontario.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• A.W. Campbell Conservation Area Family-oriented campground with 140 sites including overnight, seasonal, and group camping, located at 71919 Communication Road, Alvinston. Reservations managed via the GoingToCamp platform.
• Warwick Conservation Area Family-oriented campground with 230 serviced sites on 73 hectares, offering both camping and day-use facilities.
• Lorne C. Henderson Conservation Area Family-oriented campground nestled among a series of wildlife areas, providing nature-based camping and outdoor recreation.
• Wawanosh Wetland Conservation Area 3.5 km nature trail along a provincially significant marsh with viewing opportunities, located in the Sarnia area.
• Keith McLean Conservation Lands 130-hectare property famous for Lotus ponds including farmland, forests, wetlands, and prairie, located east of Rondeau Provincial Park.
• Planning and Regulations Services Regulatory services including permit administration under Ontario Regulation 41/24, property inquiry processing, plan input and review, and Drainage Act project review for development in regulated areas.
• Tree Planting and Woodlot Services Seedling and large stock tree planting program available to private and public landowners, including Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program plan preparation and approval services.
• Environmental Monitoring Benthic community monitoring, water quality monitoring, and species research including mussel and fish surveys in the Sydenham River watershed.
• Habitat Restoration Projects Ecological restoration initiatives including reforestation, wetland creation, and habitat enhancement projects across multiple sites in the watershed, delivered with partners such as Ducks Unlimited Canada and Trees Ontario.
• Grants for Landowners (Healthy Watersheds Program) Financial assistance to landowners for implementing best management practices including cover crops, erosion control structures, and wetland conservation.
• Flood Warning and Water Management Flood warning program using 11 stream gauges, five snow sampling stations, and meteorological data to issue flood notices (Normal, Water Safety, Flood Outlook, Flood Watch, Flood Warning) to residents and municipalities.
• Invasive Species Program Education and cost-sharing program to help landowners control invasive species including Phragmites, with the Lambton County Phragmites Cost-Share Program covering control measure costs.
• Conservation Education Programs Outdoor education programs for elementary, secondary, and high school students including Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs, schoolyard programs, and sponsored free programs.
• Online Mapping Tool Web-based GIS mapping tool allowing users to determine if properties are regulated by SCRCA under Ontario Regulation 41/24.
• Tree and Wildflower Shop Online ordering system for tree seedlings, large stock trees, and native wildflower plugs available for pickup in the Strathroy area in late April/early May.

Quantifiable outcome

• The W. Darcy McKeough Floodway controls approximately 37% of the East and North Sydenham River drainage basins upstream of Wallaceburg
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Conservation OntariocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCRCA is a member of Conservation Ontario, the umbrella organization for Ontario's 36 conservation authorities. Conservation Ontario coordinates provincial policy and advocacy for conservation authorities.
• Thames-Sydenham & Region Source Protection AreacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working on source water protection for the Thames-Sydenham region watersheds.
• Healthy Lake HuroncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership focused on improving the ecological health of Lake Huron and its connecting channels.
• Sydenham River WebsitecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for the Sydenham River watershed focusing on species at risk and conservation efforts.
• St. Clair River Sediment Management ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on sediment management research and restoration in the St. Clair River.
• Friends of the St. Clair RivercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal nonprofit organization working on St. Clair River restoration and conservation. Partner on various habitat restoration projects.
• Forest Gene Conservation AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for forestry and genetic conservation initiatives in the watershed.
• Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Brown Creek Riparian Buffer Analysis project and agricultural stewardship programs.
• Ducks Unlimited CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on multiple wetland creation and habitat rehabilitation projects including Bowen's Creek, Terra Naturalization, and Dow Habitat projects.
• Ontario Ministry of Natural ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial ministry providing oversight, funding, and collaboration on watershed management, species research, and flood control infrastructure.
• Rural Lambton Stewardship NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal stewardship organization partnering on Terra Naturalization, Highway 40 corridor planting, and other habitat projects.
• University of GuelphcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner for species at risk studies in the Sydenham River.
• Royal Ontario MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner for species at risk surveys and mussel research in the Sydenham River.
• National Water Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal research institute conducting species at risk research in the Sydenham River.
• Department of Fisheries and Oceans CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal department collaborating on fish sampling and aquatic species at risk research.
• Invasive Species CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization dedicated to preventing introduction and spread of invasive species. Provides educational resources and early detection/reporting systems for the watershed.
• Lake St. Clair Canadian Watershed Management PlancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative watershed management initiative for the Canadian side of Lake St. Clair.
• Thames Talbot Land Trust (TTLT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal land trust partnering on Bradshaw Conservation Lands acquisition and recognition events.
• Dow Chemical CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner on Dow Habitat Rehabilitation Project enhancing wetlands created in 2000-2002, with over 15,000 trees and shrubs planted.
• ICI CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner on $700,000 wetland creation project with $435,000 contribution from ICI Canada.
• Evergreen FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Suncor Energy Foundation Nature Way project at Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area.
• Ontario Power GenerationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Highway 40 corridor shrub planting project with 25,000 shrubs planted.
• Ontario Ministry of TransportationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Highway 40 corridor planting project along provincial highway.
• Sarnia-Lambton Environmental AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal environmental organization sponsoring conservation education programs.
• Denning Funeral HomesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFuneral home partnering with Foundation for memorial tree plantings in recognition of families served.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Credit Valley Conservation: Conservation authority serving the Credit River watershed west of Toronto. Comparable mandate (flood, erosion, regulation, education, conservation lands) under the same Conservation Authorities Act framework, with similar municipal cost-apportioning and stewardship grant programs.
• Grand River Conservation Authority: Ontario conservation authority covering the Grand River watershed. Highly comparable operating model — municipal levy funding, regulated permitting, multi-site conservation areas with campgrounds, flood forecasting, and stewardship grants across a rural/small-urban southwestern Ontario footprint.
• Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority: Conservation authority serving the Lake Simcoe watershed under the same provincial statute. Comparable in delivering watershed monitoring, permitting, conservation areas, education, and forestry services funded by municipal levies and grants.
• Upper Thames River Conservation Authority: Conservation authority serving the Upper Thames River watershed in southwestern Ontario. Closely comparable in geography and program mix — flood forecasting, source water protection, stewardship grants, conservation areas, and landowner tree planting services.
• Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority: Neighbouring southwestern Ontario conservation authority covering the Ausable and Bayfield watersheds. Highly comparable in scale, rural character, campground operations (e.g., Rock Glen), and watershed services portfolio.
• Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA): The largest Ontario conservation authority, also established under the Conservation Authorities Act. Directly comparable as a watershed-based statutory authority delivering flood management, regulation, conservation lands, education, and habitat restoration in an urbanizing region.

Broad incumbents

• Conservation Ontario: Umbrella association representing Ontario's 36 conservation authorities including SCRCA. Comparable as a sector-wide advocacy and coordination body, though it operates as a network rather than a service-delivery peer.
• Nature Conservancy of Canada: Canada's largest private land conservation organization. Comparable in land securement (conservation easements, land donations) and stewardship programming across Ontario, though it operates nationally rather than as a watershed regulator.
• Ducks Unlimited Canada: National wetland and waterfowl habitat conservation nonprofit. Directly comparable on habitat restoration, wetland creation, and conservation landowner programming — Ducks Unlimited is also a SCRCA project partner on Bowen's Creek, Terra Naturalization, and Dow Habitat projects.

Regional players

• Ontario Parks: Provincial agency operating Ontario's provincial park system. Comparable as a conservation/recreation land operator with campgrounds and day-use fees, though at a much larger scale and provincial rather than watershed mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/StClairCA
• Xx.com/SCRCA_water
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/st-clair-region-conservation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about St. Clair Region Conservation Authority