County of Brant finalizes transfer of Apps’ Mills Nature Centre property

The County of Brant is pleased to share that an agreement has been finalized for the transfer of a 4.5-acre parcel of land along Robinson Road that includes the Apps’ Mill Nature Centre. With the transfer of the property from the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA), the County of Brant is now the owner of the Nature Centre and 4.5 acres of surrounding lands.

The County, GRCA and City of Brantford have also entered into a three-party agreement outlining shared responsibilities for the facility's capital and operating costs. For decades, school programming has been an important and cherished part of the Apps’ Mill Nature Centre, and a key priority of the agreement is to ensure that the GRCA's existing environmental education programming for school groups continues for a minimum of 10 years, beginning with the 2026–2027 school year.

The agreement also provides opportunities for both the County of Brant and the City of Brantford to book and use the Nature Centre for additional community programming outside of GRCA's regular programming hours.

“We are very happy to be part of the future of the Apps’ Mill Nature Centre,” says County of Brant Mayor David Bailey. “Thank you to the Grand River Conservation Authority staff for continuing to deliver important programming to our community, and to the City of Brantford for their partnership on this important project. Knowing that this special place in the County will be available for future generations to learn and enjoy makes me very proud.”

“Environmental education plays an important role in helping young people develop an understanding of conservation and an appreciation for our region’s natural heritage,” says City of Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis. “We are proud to partner with the County of Brant and the Grand River Conservation Authority to support the continued delivery of programming at the Apps’ Mill Nature Centre. Through this collaboration, students from across Brantford and the County of Brant will continue to benefit from hands-on learning experiences for many years to come.”

“We thank the County of Brant and the City of Brantford for their support in sustaining the GRCA’s Environmental Education Program at Apps’ Mill Nature Centre,” says GRCA Chair John Challinor II. “This partnership will help to ensure students can continue to connect with nature through hands-on, outdoor learning experiences at Apps’ Mill Nature Centre for the years ahead.”

The 4.5-acre parcel and Nature Centre were part of a much larger parcel of GRCA-owned land that includes recreation trails. The conservation authority continues to own and manage the remaining larger portion of the lands. 

Additional programming and rental opportunities will be announced in 2027. For updates, visit brant.ca/AppsMill and follow the County of Brant on social media.