Niagara Peninsula Aims for Ontario’s First UNESCO Global Geopark Designation

Geopark designation will boost tourism to the region and shine international attention on the Niagara Peninsula and the Greenbelt 

TORONTO, April 22, 2022—With support from the Greenbelt Foundation, Niagara Peninsula Aspiring Global Geopark (NPAGG) is aiming to secure a UNESCO Global Geopark designation and has developed a broad partnership that includes tourism, conservation, academic, agricultural, and Indigenous organizations. Following approval, the Niagara Peninsula will become Ontario’s first UNESCO Global Geopark and the sixth in Canada.

Greenbelt Foundation Supports Three Urgent Projects that Protect and Enhance Nature in Canada’s Most Developed Areas  

Projects will further the recommendations of the Southern Ontario Nature Coalition (SONC)

TORONTO, April 20, 2022—The Greenbelt Foundation has announced targeted investment for three projects that address key recommendations of the Southern Ontario Nature Coalition (SONC), to protect biodiversity where it is most at risk and value near-urban nature’s ability to strengthen climate resilient communities. 

Improved Trail in Uxbridge Promotes the Benefits of Outdoor Recreation

With Support from Greenbelt Foundation, Uxbridge’s South Balsam Trail Improved for All-Season Use

TORONTO, April 8, 2022—Today, Peter Bethlenfalvy, Pickering-Uxbridge MPP and Minister of Finance, as well as John Henry, Regional Chair, Mayor of Uxbridge, Dave Barton, Deputy Mayor of Uxbridge, Willie Popp, and other dignitaries joined Greenbelt Foundation’s CEO, Edward McDonnell and guests for a trail unveiling event at Uxbridge’s South Balsam Trail. Attendees enjoyed a hike through the picturesque trail system, pausing to enjoy the newly installed interpretive trail signs and learn more about the important natural heritage features of the region.  

The Golden Horseshoe Region is Growing, and So Must its Parkland

New report shows access to large parks in region is not equal and the benefits of large parks are out of reach for millions of Ontarians

TORONTO, April 4, 2022—Over two million people in the Golden Horseshoe are living in neighbourhoods with low accessibility to parks, which is regrettable given the mental and physical health benefits of being in nature have never been clearer. This is one of the findings in a new report, Improving Access to Large Parks in Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe: Policy, Planning, and Funding Strategies, released today by Greenbelt Foundation and Green Infrastructure Ontario. This report is a follow-up to the State of Large Parks in Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe, published in 2019.

In partnership with Green Infrastructure Ontario Coalition, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Re:Public Urbanism, and the Ontario Parks Association, Improving Access to Large Parks in Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe: Policy, Planning, and Funding Strategies presents an analysis of the current and planned large parkland distribution across the Golden Horseshoe.

The report assesses which areas of the Golden Horseshoe have the lowest accessibility to existing and planned large parks based on various modes of transportation, and conducts an equality analysis using census data to identify areas in greatest need of parkland creation. Based on these findings, the report identifies exemplary practices and transferrable models from across Canada and around the world that can inform large park planning in the Golden Horseshoe, and proposes strategies to overcome barriers to the equitable funding, planning, and establishment of new large parks in the region.

The Comeback Story: Brook Trout at Upper Credit

March 30th, 2022

On the site of a former cattle farm in the hills of Caledon, trout are making a comeback. For anyone who’s had the privilege of holding one of Ontario’s vibrant, speckled brook trout in their hands - maybe on the end of your own fishing line, or gently pulled from the net of a researcher – this is welcome news and the result of many years, and many individuals.

STATEMENT 

The Greenbelt Foundation Supports the Expansion of the Greenbelt to Include Additional Urban River Valleys 

TORONTO, March 25, 2022—On February 17, 2021, the Government of Ontario announced its intention to grow the quantity and quality of the Greenbelt to include additional water systems. Yesterday, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) launched the next phase in its consultation on Growing the Greenbelt.

WEBINAR: Improving Access to Large Parks in Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe: Policy, Planning, and Funding Strategies

A free 1-hour webinar on Wednesday April 13, 1-2pm ET.

Please join the Greenbelt Foundation and the Green Infrastructure Ontario Coalition (GIO) at our upcoming webinar launching our new report: Improving Access to Large Parks in Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe: Policy, Planning, and Funding Strategies. Together with our project partners, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), Re:Public Urbanism, and the Ontario Parks Association, we are excited to share the key findings and recommendations from this research.   

REGISTER HERE

This report is a follow-up to the State of Large Parks in Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe, published in 2019. In our new report we built on the 2019 findings and focused on the accessibility of large parks across the region, as well as strategies and recommendations to overcome barriers to planning, funding, establishing and managing large parks. 

The webinar will highlight the critical role of large natural parks, which has grown even more evident during the pandemic with the vast increase in park usage, and the challenges of establishing large parks in an environment of increasing land values, development, and land scarcity. The webinar will provide you with an overview of the report, including:

• The methodology and results of the large park accessibility analysis.
• An assessment of underserved areas within the Golden Horseshoe with the greatest need for new large park creation.
• Strategies and recommendations to help decision makers overcome barriers and guide future large parks development.
• Examples of transferable models and best practices from across Canada and around the world.

The event will be moderated by Thomas Bowers from the Greenbelt Foundation, and speakers will include: Jennifer Court (GIO), Michelle Blom (Re:Public Urbanism), and Jackie De Santis (TRCA).

Speakers:  

Thomas Bowers is the Director of Research and Policy at the Greenbelt Foundation. Tom joined the Greenbelt Foundation in December 2014 bringing more than 10 years’ experience of research and analysis from working in the public, private, and not-for profit sectors. At the Foundation he leads a research program covering a diversity of issues that relate to the Greenbelt, including land use planning, agriculture, natural heritage and green infrastructure. He holds a BA in Politics and Philosophy and a MSc in Sustainability, Planning and Environmental Policy. He is passionate about the role of the Greenbelt in building a sustainable and resilient region and enjoys the many opportunities for outdoor fun the Greenbelt has to offer.

Jennifer Court is the Executive Director of the Green Infrastructure Ontario Coalition, and spends her time advocating for supportive policy and funding to make green infrastructure the new normal. She has over 15 years’ experience in the environmental space, working all across Canada on a range of issues including climate change, waste and the circular economy, environmental health, and of course, green infrastructure. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Design from the Ontario College of Art & Design, as well as a Master of Environmental Studies and a Graduate Diploma in Business & Sustainability from York University.

Jackie De Santis is currently an analyst in the Ecosystem and Climate Science team at the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. Her work focuses on applied research to support a range of green infrastructure, urban forestry and ecosystem services projects. She earned her Masters of Forest Conservation from the University of Toronto, and recently gained her Registered Professional Forester designation with the Ontario Professional Foresters Association. For this project, Jackie co-lead the policy review and analysis, aided in facilitating engagement, outreach, and workshops with key stakeholders and parks professionals, and assisted in writing the final report.

Michelle Blom is an urban designer and GIS specialist with professional experience in both Architecture and Urban Design. Her experience has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of project design ranging from small-scale residential developments to master planned communities. She has worked for both private and public sector clients in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Nunavut and England. With a background in Urbanism, Michelle obtained her Bachelor of Architectural Studies in 2015.  Michelle has successfully contributed to a broad range of design projects including Concept Plans, Urban Design Guidelines, Official Plans, Zoning By-Law, Design Manuals, Landscape Concept Design, Renderings, and other graphic design material. Her passion stems from her understanding of built-form and its role in shaping the future of our communities.

Are you passionate about telling stories and engaging the public on environmental, agricultural, and planning issues? If you are looking to work with a great team for a good cause, this might just be the career move for you!

The Greenbelt Foundation is an independent, charitable organization dedicated to promoting and sustaining Ontario’s Greenbelt. The Foundation is focused on making the right investments in the interconnected natural, hydrological, and economic systems that Ontario's Greenbelt protects. By ensuring continuous, progressive investment in the Greenbelt, the Foundation nurtures a living, thriving Greenbelt for all to enjoy.

Soil Health Practices a Win-Win-Win for Farmers, Profit, and Planet

New study aims to boost current knowledge about soil health, which contributes to human health, environmental health, and on-farm revenue

TORONTO, March 10, 2022—A new study from the Greenbelt Foundation, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Guelph, finds that common practices to improve soil health make good business sense in Ontario. The study, titled Towards a Business Case for Soil Health: A Synthesis of Current Knowledge on the Economics of Soil Health Practices in Ontario, addresses key recommendations from The Power of Soil: An Agenda for Change to Benefit Farmers and Climate Resilience, which was released by the Greenbelt Foundation and Équiterre in 2021.