The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) is proud to showcase its growing success in implementing shared services agreements with municipalities across its watershed – a testament to the organization’s commitment to innovation, efficiency, and strong municipal partnerships.
The NPCA is collaborating with municipal partners to deliver various programs and services that advance shared goals and priorities. These partnerships, from ecological monitoring and technical analysis to natural asset inventories and community tree plantings, are tailored to municipal priorities — and made possible through shared services agreements that streamline responsibilities and leverage NPCA expertise.
Since 2023, NPCA has executed ten Agreements for Services with Regional Municipality of Niagara, City of Hamilton, Haldimand County, and local municipalities including Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, City of St. Catharines, Town of Grimsby, Township of West Lincoln, Township of Wainfleet, Town of Pelham, and City of Port Colborne. These agreements reflect NPCA’s continued commitment to providing consistent, high-quality watershed services and fostering strong partnerships across the watershed. Discussions with other municipalities are ongoing, reinforcing a shared approach to natural resource management and service delivery.
“NPCA’s jurisdiction includes 3 upper-tier and single-tier municipalities, with 12 more local municipalities within the watershed,” says Leilani Lee-Yates, NPCA CAO. “By formalizing partnerships through shared services agreements, we’re strengthening municipal collaboration to deliver programs and services with exceptional value, technical expertise, and environmental leadership across our watershed communities.”
Making Progress: Key Partnerships in Action
- The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake and NPCA have a shared services agreement centred on the care and maintenance of the Virgil Dam—a unique example of locally focused, responsive watershed infrastructure collaboration.
- The City of St. Catharines, City of Port Colborne, Town of Grimsby, Town of Pelham, Township of Wainfleet, and Township of West Lincoln are key funding partners advancing Trees for All and urban greening efforts, bringing more trees to the Niagara Peninsula watershed.
- The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is working with NPCA on a natural asset inventory and assessment, to better understand the value of local natural areas and ecological features.
- NPCA is finalizing agreements for greening initiatives with local area municipalities including wetland restoration and mini forest projects.
“The Niagara Peninsula watershed is strongest when we work together,” adds Lee-Yates. “We’ve demonstrated that these partnerships work - and we’re just getting started.”
Invitation to Partner
Building on these successes, NPCA can further support its partners through foundational integrated watershed management programs, such as:
- Sub-watershed planning and data analysis.
- Support for municipal climate change initiatives.
- Greening initiatives through ecological restoration.
- Public education, outreach, and stewardship programming.
“At NPCA, we take pride in being a partner of choice with our colleagues in the Niagara Peninsula watershed. The work we do is rooted in the unmatched expertise, dedication, and innovation of our community,” said NPCA Board Chair, John Metcalfe. “Through strong partnerships and shared expertise, NPCA is helping build resilient communities and strengthening the world around us.”
NPCA’s current Agreements of Services are available on the NPCA Governance webpage.
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About Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority:
As a community-based natural resource management agency, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority envisions a healthy and vibrant natural environment with shared greenspace and clean water for all. NPCA’s work supports the conservation, enhancement, and sustainability of healthy watersheds with programs and services that focus on drinking water source protection, flood and hazard management, ecosystem restoration, community stewardship, education, and land management.
NPCA is the caretaker of 43 conservation areas within the Niagara Peninsula watershed held in public trust for recreation, heritage preservation, conservation, and education. These natural and shared greenspaces marry nature, culture, and adventure to create limitless opportunities for discovery.
Media inquiries to be directed to:
Jennifer McQuillan, Communications and Marketing Specialist
Mobile: 905-933-0532
jmcquillan@npca.ca