Make sure to book time for Greenbelts: Local Solutions for Global Challenges in your new 2011 calendar from March 22^nd to March 24^th. This Global Greenbelts Conference brings together over forty-five speakers from nine countries across the globe to discuss the potential of Greenbelts to help manage urban growth, sustain farming, and the vibrancy of surrounding communities, protect valuable ecosystems, and conserve biodiversity.

All the submissions for the Reel Greenbelt Video Competition are in!! We have some really great videos, each as unique as the snowflakes falling, each with a different perspective and voice. Thank you to those who submitted a video!

...and purchase beautiful artwork from Stewart Jones that brings the Greenbelt right into your living room. 

Mount Nemo is a precious part of Southern Ontario and part of the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Mount Nemo is the headwaters of at least 10 creek systems, significant wetlands and woodlands, and home to rare and endangered species...

Since 2005, PERL (Protecting Escarpment Rural Land), a citizen volunteer group has been working to save the Mount Nemo plateau from being hollowed out by a huge below-water-table quarry proposal.

In 2009 the City of Burlington, Halton Conservation Authority, Region of Halton, and the Niagara Escarpment Commission all rejected the Nelson Aggregate/LaFarge quarry proposal. We continue to work passionately with all levels of government to make sure the Province of Ontario rejects this proposal and protects Mount Nemo for future generations.

TORONTO, ON –The Ontario Greenbelt Alliance (OGA) is pleased to announce that six proposals to expand the iconic Ontario Greenbelt have received approval from municipal councils or committees.  The proposals would connect more than 4.5 million additional residents to the world’s largest Greenbelt, now in its fifth year...    

For Immediate Release

December 23, 2010                                                                                       

Six Expansion Initiatives Show Healthy Greenbelt Support in 2010 

TORONTO, ON –The Ontario Greenbelt Alliance (OGA) is pleased to announce that six proposals to expand the iconic Ontario Greenbelt have received approval from municipal councils or committees.  The proposals would connect more than 4.5 million additional residents to the world’s largest Greenbelt, now in its fifth year.

Make sure to book time for Greenbelts: Local Solutions for Global Challenges in your new 2011 calendar from March 22^nd to March 24^th. This Global Greenbelts Conference brings together over forty-five speakers from nine countries across the globe to discuss the potential of Greenbelts to help manage urban growth, sustain farming, and the vibrancy of surrounding communities, protect valuable ecosystems, and conserve biodiversity.

 One of the highlighted areas is the Melbourne Green Wedges in Australia.  As in the Greater Toronto Area, Melbourne and its surrounding communities must balance managing population and job growth with the protection of agricultural and environmentally sensitive lands in the Green Wedges.

 The Melbourne Green Wedges are comprised of twelve separate protected areas around Melbourne. Although the wedges are “separate”, many are contiguous with a neighbouring wedge so a map of the metropolitan Melbourne region gives the impression of a belt of lands surrounding the city. Each wedge has distinctive natural features including:  internationally recognized wetlands, notable landscape or seascape features, native grassland fauna habitat, native vegetation fauna habitat, river redgum habitat, grassy woodlands habitat,

Celebrating Local Ontario Foods in Broader Public Sector Institutions

On December 15th, the Broader Public Sector Investment Fund and the first round of grantees (I’d like to tell you who they are now, but we’re saving that for 2011), celebrated bringing more local Ontario and Greenbelt foods into Broader Public Sector Institutions at the International Centre in Toronto. This ‘potluck’ style lunch brought together these industry change-makers to collaborate and share experiences. Excitement was definitely in the air and the aromas of Ontario foods tantalized our taste buds.

Photo from Ontario Community Harvest Website

I find the holidays are often one of the busiest times of year with 
shopping, wrapping, shopping, cooking, shopping and of course making some 
extra time to create a video and submit it for the Reel Greenbelt Youth 
Video Competition!

You still have time to get your PSA entered into The ReelGreenbelt Youth Video Competition With a beautifully snowy Greenbelt to get out and have some fun – why don’t you? I know I am.

With the holidays just around the corner there’s lots of great outdoor activities to take part in...and while you’re at it...bring a camera to document some great memories and put it together in a YouTube Video, tell us what the Ontario Greenbelt means to you - and you could win cash and prizes!

What’s great about it? Well...the experience for one thing, but also, after Holiday shopping and visits with the family, you’re gonna need some cash. Showcase your talents and your love for the Greenbelt and you could win $1000.

Visit www.ReelGreenbelt.ca to submit your entry form and get the details.

Here’s a few place you can check out in the Greenbelt for some holiday fun? Take a look at this:

Tie a green ribbon around a gift from the Greenbelt this holiday season. Ontario’s Greenbelt, spanning from Niagara to Northumberland region and north along the Niagara Escarpment, produces a bounty of unique gifts and adventures. 

The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation has assembled a list of our favourite holiday gifts that represent and support the Greenbelt’s agriculture and environmental integrity.