The State of Ecosystem Compensation in the Greater Golden Horseshoe is a new report that assesses ecosystem compensation practices and protocols. In Ontario, natural heritage systems, natural hazard lands, and natural features and systems are protected through multiple policies at the provincial and municipal levels. Despite these protections, activities occasionally still impact natural areas. When impacts occur, planning authorities may encourage or require that the natural features lost be compensated for.  

Municipal Green and Natural Asset Management: Case Studies in the Greater Golden Horseshoe is a new report that seeks to advance understanding about natural asset management in the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH). The report includes case studies on the Town of Ajax, Town of Halton Hills, Town of Oakville, Durham Region, and Dufferin County to review the state of local infrastructure and barriers for implementation.

On December 13, 2021, the Government of Ontario introduced More Homes, More Choice: Ontario's Housing Supply Action Plan and established a Housing Affordability Task Force with experts to provide advice and recommendations on additional measures to address housing affordability. A 30 day consultation period is now open, and the Greenbelt Foundation is pleased to issue a submission on the important job the Government has undertaken to increase housing affordability for Ontarians.

Highlights of An Eventful Year

December 16th, 2021

My year at the Greenbelt Foundation has been an eventful one, to say the least. One could define it as a year of business as unusual given the global pandemic and ongoing climate crisis from extreme heat waves to floods. What kept me going was the number of innovative projects and excellent collaborations with Foundation team members and partners.

Request for Proposal
Oak Ridges Moraine Trail Strategy Development

Purpose

The Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation (ORMF) and Greenbelt Foundation (GBF) wish to work with partners to build a modern trail strategy that will guide future planning, development, and management of the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail, including a current state assessment and robust research and consultation.

Project Goals

The project is intended to develop an exciting new vision and strategy for the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail that will engage partners in renewed involvement in stewarding the trail and realizing its potential for recreation and economic development, conservation and ecological protection, economic development, and connectivity.

This work will require a systematic review of existing needs and current state of Trail, as well as multiple components of successful contemporary trail strategies and an identification of a road map for achievement of the renewed Trail vision over the next 5 to 10 years.

Request for Proposal
Oak Ridges Moraine Trail Strategy Development

Purpose

The Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation (ORMF) and Greenbelt Foundation (GBF) wish to work with partners to build a modern trail strategy that will guide future planning, development, and management of the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail, including a current state assessment and robust research and consultation.

Project Goals

The project is intended to develop an exciting new vision and strategy for the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail that will engage partners in renewed involvement in stewarding the trail and realizing its potential for recreation and economic development, conservation and ecological protection, economic development, and connectivity.

This work will require a systematic review of existing needs and current state of Trail, as well as multiple components of successful contemporary trail strategies and an identification of a road map for achievement of the renewed Trail vision over the next 5 to 10 years.

What Your Food Ate

      
By David R. Montgomery and Anne Biklé

Soil health is receiving a lot of well-earned attention at the moment. It’s role in climate mitigation and adaptation is becoming ever more important. Food, farming and soil health were on the agenda at the recent Conference of the Parties (COP) 26 summit with some positive developments. Our new research adds a new dimension to the issue by digging into the connection between human health and soil health.

The importance of nature to our future has never been clearer.

The federal Two Billion Trees commitment can prepare Canada’s urban areas for the future and reverse biodiversity loss where it is most at risk. Our vision, alongside our partners at the Southern Ontario Nature Coalition (SONC), is that 54 million native trees are needed in the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) area.

Study Shows Pandemic Increased Time Spent in Nature

 New Research Uncovers Important Links Between Nature and Mental Health

TORONTO, November 25, 2021—Over a one-year period, approximately 3.7 million people travelled to a Greenbelt destination to engage in a nature-based activity, according to a new report released by Greenbelt Foundation. The Greenbelt Value of Nature Survey for Recreation in the Greater Golden Horseshoe examines the way in which people connected with nature and the impacts of COVID-19 on nature-based activities between July 2020 and August 2021.

The Greenbelt Value of Nature Survey for Recreation in the Greater Golden Horseshoe is a new report that examines Ontarians’ participation, awareness, and investments in nature-based activities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) from July 2020 to August 2021. The purpose of the study was to collect in-depth data from GGH residents about their recreational activities to build support for continued protection and investments in parks and natural areas. The research is designed to build on the findings from the 2012 Canadian Nature Survey to better understand the activities and expenditures of people living in the GGH during the COVID-19 pandemic.