OFA provided comments to Minister of the Environment, Jeff Yurek, regarding improving local relationships with Conservation Authorities. OFA shares values with Conservation Authorities, including delivery of watershed and stewardship programs to protect people and property from flooding and other natural hazards, and to conserve natural resources for economic, social and environmental benefits for the benefit of all Ontarians. OFA is keenly aware of areas in the province where the relationship between agriculture and the local Conservation Authority is strong and working in partnership. In other areas there are real challenges and weaknesses. OFA would like to facilitate the exchange of best management practices between the Authorities, which would benefit all residents of the watershed. OFA’s participation would also reinforce the recent amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act that provide for an agriculture sector appointee to an authority’s board.