The County of Brant, the City of Brantford, and the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) are collaborating on a plan to secure the long-term future of the Apps’ Mill Nature Centre, a long-standing environmental education site located in the County of Brant.
Under the proposal, the County of Brant and the GRCA are working toward an agreement that would transfer approximately 4.5 acres of GRCA land, including the Apps’ Mill Nature Centre, to the County.
At the same time, the three partners are developing an operational agreement to ensure the continued delivery of the GRCA’s Environmental Education Program at the site.
The partnership is intended to maintain the centre’s long-running school programs, while also creating opportunities for municipal programming and joint initiatives led by the County, the City and the GRCA.
For more than 50 years, the GRCA has delivered environmental education programs across the Grand River watershed, including at five nature centres.
The Apps’ Mill Nature Centre, established in the early 1980s, welcomes more than 6,000 elementary and secondary students each year, along with community groups participating in hands-on outdoor learning focused on environmental awareness and stewardship.
The future of the centre has been under review following amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act and operational challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Changes to provincial legislation require environmental education programs to operate without municipal funding unless a formal funding agreement is in place.
In October 2023, GRCA staff presented a review of the Environmental Education Program to the GRCA Board.
The review recommended relocating programming from standalone nature centres to fee-for-use conservation areas to improve operational efficiency, while continuing discussions with municipalities about the future of existing facilities.
Those discussions led to an agreement in principle between the County of Brant and the GRCA regarding the transfer of the Apps’ Mill property and surrounding lands to the County, along with the proposed operational partnership involving the City of Brantford.
GRCA Chair John Challinor II said the collaboration will help preserve the centre’s environmental programming for local students while expanding opportunities for community programming.
“The transfer of ownership and the operational agreement will not only help ensure the continuation of the GRCA’s environmental programs for local students at the Apps’ Mill Nature Centre but will also provide new program opportunities for municipal residents,” Challinor said.
County of Brant Mayor David Bailey said the site has served residents across the region for decades and that the partnership demonstrates the benefits of collaboration between municipal and conservation authorities.
“The County of Brant is proud to be part of the future of the Apps’ Mills Nature Centre,” Bailey said. “This beloved location has served not only Brant residents, but neighbouring communities for decades.”
Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis also welcomed the agreement, saying it will help ensure students and families continue to access outdoor learning experiences while expanding programming options for residents.
The proposed land transfer and operational agreement were approved by County of Brant Council on Feb. 24, 2026, and by the GRCA Board on Feb. 27, 2026.
The operational agreement was approved by Brantford’s Committee of the Whole on March 3, 2026, and will go before Brantford City Council on March 24, 2026 for final consideration. If approved, municipal and GRCA staff will finalize the land transfer and begin implementing the operational partnership.
