As early as the 1880s, rural Ontario was facing a serious deforestation problem. By the late 1920s and 1930s, the combination of drought and deforestation was causing extensive soil loss and flooding across the province. Individuals and organizations united to call for a broad new initiative to deal with conservation, flood control and reforestation. The provincial government passed the Conservation Authorities Act in 1946 when several municipalities became involved. Today Ontario's 36 Conservation Authorities are a model of conservation and resource management for other provinces and countries. more... See more text