Residents in Orangeville, Ontario, are invited to help keep local natural spaces clean during an upcoming community event at the Island Lake Conservation Area. On May 9, 2026, the Credit Valley Conservation is hosting an Island Lake Litter Cleanup as part of the Make Orangeville Shine initiative.
The clean-up will take place from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Volunteers of all ages are welcome to participate in the effort to remove litter from the 820-acre park, which serves as the headwaters of the Credit River. Organizers will provide participants with gloves, bags, and snacks for the duration of the event.
This initiative takes place as the park continues to see a significant rise in visitors. Since the completion of the 8-kilometre Vicki Barron Lakeside Trail in 2015, trail use at the conservation area has increased by more than 350 per cent. The trail, named after the retired general manager of the conservation authority, remains a popular destination for those looking to connect with the local wetlands and forests.
Community involvement has long been a staple of the park, supported by groups such as the Friends of Island Lake. Established in 2005, this group has contributed over 10,000 volunteer hours annually and raised more than $2.6 million to support maintenance and outreach efforts in the area.
In addition to the clean-up, the conservation authority is hosting a maple-themed experience at the park. Guests can attend workshops and maple-themed events to celebrate the season.
The event comes during a period of organizational change for the conservation authority. In March 2026, the board of directors formally opposed a provincial government plan to consolidate Ontario‘s 36 conservation authorities into nine regional agencies. The board warned that such a move would create unnecessary disruption in the region.
