Ontario's Greenbelt is an Asset for Ontario
Understanding public awareness of the purpose and benefits of Ontario’s Greenbelt, as well as support for the Greenbelt as public policy, is crucial to guiding strategic planning for all program areas, including communication and engagement with Ontarians. Since 2005, the Greenbelt Foundation has engaged an external agency to conduct biannual public opinion polls to establish trends in understanding of and support for the Greenbelt.
Over the years, aided support for the Greenbelt has remained largely above 90%.
2021 Greenbelt Photo Contest: Celebrating the Oak Ridges Moraine
Calling all photographers! We want to see your best shots of the Oak Ridges Moraine, an important part of the Ontario Greenbelt.
The Greenbelt Foundation is hosting a photo contest, and the winning submissions will be featured on our social media, highlighted in our monthly newsletter, and will receive some special Greenbelt gear!
How Ontario Can Support the Greenbelt
On February 28, 2005, the Greenbelt Act was passed by the Ontario government, creating one of the world’s largest Greenbelts, permanently protecting over 2 million acres of highly productive farmland and environmentally sensitive areas.
News Release: Nine Ontario Municipalities Part of National Cohort Undertaking Natural Asset Inventories and Building Climate Resilience
Nine Ontario Municipalities Part of National Cohort Undertaking Natural Asset Inventories and Building Climate Resilience
A $50K Grant from Neptis and Greenbelt Foundation Will Also Support Next Step Implementation in Ontario and beyond
TORONTO, June 23, 2021: With $550K invested since 2020, the Greenbelt Foundation—a leading Canadian investor in municipal natural asset management—is supporting nine municipalities in Ontario, part of a cohort of 30 municipalities across Canada who are taking part in a major Natural Asset Inventory project. This project, led by Municipal Natural Assets Initiative (MNAI), helps municipalities take the critical first steps to more effectively manage their natural areas or “assets,” like municipally owned forests or wetlands, as tools to help address climate change and infrastructure needs.
Greenbelt Foundation Submissions
- The Greenbelt Foundation occasionally sends submissions to governments on issues and policies that are relevant to the Greenbelt and our work, such as budget and environmental registry consultations, among others. We provide insights and advice based on our research and expertise that will strengthen the Greenbelt and Southern Ontario.
Here is a list of our recent submissions:
More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022.
Greenbelt Statute Law Amendment Act, 2023.
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New Act regarding the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve easements and covenants
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Proposal to Return Lands to The Greenbelt
Greater Golden Horseshoe Growth Plan and Provincial Policy Statement.
- A Place to Grow, a Plan to Grow
- Review of proposed policies adapted from A Place to Grow and Provincial Policy Statement
Bill 185: Cutting Red Tape to Build Homes Faster Act, 2024
- Letter to Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs
- Response to Proposed Planning Act, City of Toronto Act, 2006, and Municipal Act, 2001 Changes (Schedules 4, 9, and 12 of Bill 185 - the proposed Bill 185, Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024)
Proposed Provincial Policy Statement ERO posting #019-8462
Roundtable Discussions to Inform the Potential 10-Year Coordinated Land Use Plan Review and the Future Success of Ontario’s Greenbelt
The Greenbelt is a unique asset critical to Ontario’s future. In 2025, we anticipate a planned second 10-year Review of the Greenbelt Plan, in coordination with the Niagara Escarpment Plan and the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan.
The Greenbelt Foundation is dedicated to protecting, maintaining and enhancing the health and connectivity of Greenbelt systems, rural economic prosperity now and into the future. The success of the Review and future of the Greenbelt necessitates that we understand the value and contributions of the Greenbelt to the province and how the Greenbelt needs to evolve and respond to present trends, such as population growth, agriculture and agri-food needs, water resource and natural system pressures, and the increasing impacts of climate change.
Greenbelt Foundation Priorities for the Review
We have prepared a report that sets out the Foundation’s priorities and vision for a successful 2025 Review. This report was informed by our previous work including research, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement. Stakeholder insights were crucial in identifying areas of concern and opportunities for improvement.
The report includes a high-level overview of our policy priorities, along with detailed policy recommendations and suggestions for improving oversight, support, and collaboration.
Read the report here: Priorities for the Coordinated 10-Year Review and Long-Term Vision of the Greenbelt
Stakeholder engagement
Insights and perspectives from a broad group of interest holders informed our priorities for the Review and will shape our long-term view of the success of the Greenbelt. The Foundation initiated a series of issue-specific stakeholder engagements in November 2024, with follow up sessions held in late April and early May 2025. Highlights and insights from those discussions are available below.
- Agriculture and Agri-Food
- Natural Heritage Systems & Biodiversity
- Water Resources and Hydrological Systems
- Greenspace, Tourism and Recreation
- Communities & Regional Growth
Amendment No. 4 Stakeholder Engagement
On August 20, 2024, the Ontario government approved Amendment No. 4 to the Greenbelt Plan, which seeks to maintain Greenbelt protections and address ambiguities created with the repeal of the Growth Plan. The current lack of detail in Amendment No. 4 may unintentionally weaken existing protections unless the policies are made clear and embedded in the Greenbelt Plan or PPS.
The Greenbelt Foundation undertook a detailed comparative policy analysis of the former and new policy frameworks for the Greenbelt, identifying thematic gaps between the plans, inter-plan references that create dependencies and relevance and impact to the Greenbelt Area and Plans. Stakeholder interviews validated and refined our results and provided additional insights on Ontario’s evolving land use planning policies and actions needed to strengthen Greenbelt protection to effectively address ongoing and emerging challenges.
The Foundation has prepared a summary of this work which sets out policy areas that need to be addressed through Amendment No. 4: Protecting Ontario’s Greenbelt Through Strategic Policies With Appendix- Greenbelt Foundation.pdf
Wildflower Seed Mix- Planting Instructions
To celebrate the Greenbelt's 20th anniversary, we're sharing native wildflower seeds! Beautiful and easy to grow, these plants support pollinators and bring beauty to our natural spaces.
All the seeds you have received are non-GMO, untreated, chemical-free and grown locally in the Greenbelt.
See below for detailed planting instructions.