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Michael Walters

Retiring as Chief Administrative Officer / Secretary Treasurer
Mike Walters
  • Organization: Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
  • Posted: September 11th, 2020

Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) Chief Administrative Officer / Secretary Treasurer Michael Walters is retiring after a long career dedicated to protecting and restoring the Lake Simcoe watershed.

Mr. Walters has served the conservation authority for over 36 years, the last six at the helm as chief administrative officer. “On behalf of the board of directors, I want to congratulate Mike on his much-deserved retirement, and thank him for his many years of service to the Authority,” said York Region Chairman and CEO, Wayne Emmerson, Chair of LSRCA.

For decades, Walters has worked in LSRCA’s science, research, stewardship, and environmental programs and services. His extensive background in integrated watershed management, climate change adaptation, stormwater management, and low impact development was the impetus behind a number of important and innovative LSRCA initiatives, such as its Phosphorus Offsetting, Urban Restoration, Low Impact Development, and Stormwater Management Programs.

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​“I am just so proud of this organization,” he said, expressing his gratitude to the board of directors, executive leadership team, and staff at the Authority. “In 2015 I made a commitment to lead the organization through its five-year strategic plan, which ends in 2020. Now it’s time to pass the baton to the next CAO.”

Walters’ efforts to spearhead new and innovative ways to deal with the challenges of our time have earned him local, regional, and international recognition. An accomplished author, sought-after speaker, and compelling advocate for integrated watershed management, Mike is well-known for his straightforward, positive, and insightful approach to watershed issues.

While he announced his retirement at the July 2020 board meeting, Mike will retire at the end of 2020. The news of his retirement is being made official now as the search for a new CAO is about to begin. It’s expected that a replacement will be in place by early December 2020.​​

​​​​It is the mission of the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority to work with our community to protect and restore the Lake Simcoe watershed by leading research, policy and action.