Headquarters Conservation Area

Welcome to the Headquarters Conservation Area. This Conservation Area is indeed, one of Saugeen Conservation's most popular 'day-use' areas. The Headquarters Conservation Area is located 4.8 km south of the Town of Hanover and is also the location of the Saugeen Conservation Administration building

This park was virtually the creation of Mr. A. J. Metzger, a man who had a great deal of respect and love for nature. In the early 1920's Mr. Metzger directed the digging, by hand, of a network of streams and ponds on the grounds to support the activities of a fish hatchery. He also built shelters and pens for exotic birds and other forms of wildlife. To this day, hundreds of ducks and geese frequent the property. The property is also a host to sulphur spring. A constant flow of fresh water bubbles up from the ground (enough to fill 27 bathtubs per minute), which maintains a constant 49 degrees Fahrenheit or 9 degrees Celsius.

The H.C.A. has approximately 5 km of established trail systems which include a variety of habitats, from upland hardwoods to coniferous bog. The trails are fabulous at any time of the year, whether one is simply hiking in the spring or summer, or trekking on snowshoes in the winter months.

This property also hosts one of three Memorial Groves located throughout the watershed and planted by the Saugeen Valley Conservation Foundation.