The Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA) unveiled the brand new Formosa Conservation Area this week, as part of its 75th anniversary celebrations.
Located right behind the Administration Office in Formosa, the area has been nearly 25 years in the making.
The SVCA purchased a nearby 24-acre field almost a quarter of a century ago, and over time, the site has been transformed with the planting of native species including cranberry bushes, sumac shrubs, white pine, and white spruce.
SVCA celebrated its 75th anniversary on March 16, 2025.
On Tuesday, a special celebration was held with around 100 guests including SVCA staff, past employees, members of the public, and representatives from watershed municipalities, counties, local agencies, fellow conservation authorities, and Conservation Ontario.
"We are excited to celebrate 75 years of conservation by opening the Formosa Conservation Area to the public," said Erik Downing, General Manager of the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority. "It reflects our ongoing mandate to protect natural spaces while encouraging responsible public access and recreation."
The SVCA says the Formosa Conservation Area trail system begins at a newly installed pergola and winds through areas of significant elevation change and coniferous woodland. Visitors are advised that trails include uneven terrain and that the area is intended for passive recreational use, as there are no facilities on site.
Visitors are welcome to hike, snowshoe, or dog-walk at the Formosa Conservation Area year-round. All SVCA day-use properties are accessible for $5 per day or $55 per year per household. Learn more at their website.