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

The IUCN World Congress has officially recognized the value of peri-urban natural areas as part of urban infrastructure and urgently requested the acceleration of their protection and restoration.

Near-urban nature that surrounds and intersects our cities is one of our greatest resources for sustaining livable communities and adapting to climate change.

The Greenbelt Foundation’s mission is to protect and restore the natural integrity of the Greenbelt and connected ecosystems. We are a leader in Near Urban Nature conservation.  We anchor our research, policy and engagement work in on-the-ground restoration projects. 

54 Million Trees Needed to Prepare Greater Golden Horseshoe for a
More Climate Resilient Future

 Southern Ontario Nature Coalition recommends the planting of 54 million native trees

TORONTO, November 10, 2021—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.

To achieve 30 per cent healthy forest cover in the Greenbelt and Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) area, 54 million native trees are needed. Strategic plantings can help protect water and air quality, reduce risks of flooding, beat extreme heat waves, connect people to nature, provide jobs, and make communities more climate resilient.

On February 17th 2021, the Government of Ontario announced its commitment to what could be the largest expansion of the Greenbelt since its original creation, and that it would consult on expanding the Greenbelt to protect additional critical water systems, including the Paris-Galt Moraine.  

Ontario's Greenbelt is the largest in the world, protecting more than two million acres of farmland, forests, wetlands, rivers, and lakes. At present, Ontario’s Greenbelt protects two iconic natural features that include the headwaters of the regions major rivers: the Niagara Escarpment and the Oak Ridges Moraine. The Greenbelt also protects 21 urban river valleys—including major water systems such as the Humber River, Grindstone and Duffins Creeks, Credit River, and Rouge River. These valley systems run through our growing communities, providing important greenspace, documented cooling effects, and increased protection from flooding for residents and businesses. By protecting new features like the Paris-Galt Moraine - a critical water resource system - and additional urban river valleys that pass through our densely populated areas, we have an opportunity to extend the Greenbelt’s important benefits.

Maintaining the integrity of the current Greenbelt boundaries during any expansion, including preserving important agricultural lands, is critical to its long-term vitality and the success of our near-urban food economy. The Government of Ontario made it clear that it would refuse any requests to change the current Greenbelt boundary, which is critical to long-term viability and success including ensuring the Greenbelt continues to deliver its unique social environmental and economic to Ontario.

EcoSchools Canada will Engage Students as Protectors of Biodiversity in the Greenbelt

With Support from Greenbelt Foundation, Students Will Learn about Native Plants and Plant Trees

TORONTO, October 29, 2021— Through a new program called “Taking Action in the Greenbelt,” EcoSchools Canada will teach students in the Greater Golden Horseshoe region about the importance of biodiversity and native plant species, while giving them hands-on experience planting trees, shrubs, and other native plants on their school grounds and lands within the broader community. 

Statement   

York Regional Council Decision Proposes to Weaken Greenbelt Protections

October 28, 2021

The Greenbelt Foundation is disappointed that York Regional Council voted today to adopt a regional Official Plan amendment that would downgrade Greenbelt protections and permit uses that undermine natural heritage protections and agricultural activity if approved by the Government of Ontario.

Forests Ontario and the Greenbelt Foundation Partner to Enhance Forest Cover

Partnership will advance natural infrastructure in the Greenbelt over next two years

Barrie, ON [October 28, 2021] – Forests Ontario and the Greenbelt Foundation are working together to increase natural forest cover on private land throughout the Greenbelt. Tree planting will support several Foundation goals, including to enhance Greenbelt systems and biodiversity, build climate resilience across the region, and to support jobs and working landscapes.

Uncovering the Essence of Rural Ontario with the Greenbelt Discovery Routes

 October 27th, 2021

 Written by Dinusha Prasad, Communications Coordinator at the Culinary Tourism Alliance

Most urban dweller’s in the province know that Ontario’s Greenbelt is a buffer for keeping urban sprawl at bay, but this expansive green space does so much more. In addition to preserving natural habitats and sheltering countless species of wildlife, it’s home to over two million acres of protected farmland, forest, and wetland that work together to provide us with fresh air, clean water, picturesque hiking and cycling trails, and world-class outdoor recreation experiences. It is also home to some of Ontario’s most fantastic local food and drink.

Healthy Soil? What it is and Why it Matters.

Agricultural soils in the Greenbelt and the Greater Golden Horseshoe are among the best in Canada, supporting prosperous farms and local food systems. But climate change and declining soil health can threaten that prosperity. However, farmers are adapting by leveraging the bedrock of their business: the soil. Building healthy soil ecosystems to sustain productivity and build resilience to climate change is a new focus for agriculture. But what is soil health and why does it matter?

Watch our 1-hour webinar on soil health with special guest speaker David Montgomery, Professor of Earth and Space Sciences at the University of Washington and author of Growing a Revolution: Bringing Our Soil Back to Life. Listen to the conversation from our panelists: Mark Eastman, Senior Coordinator of Agricultural Outreach at Credit Valley Conservation and Joanne Feddes, owner of La Primavera Farms.

Native Plant Nursery Will Contribute to Increased Natural Cover and Climate Resilience

Alderville First Nation’s Mitigomin Native Plant Nursery Will Support Restoration Plantings 

TORONTO, October 20, 2021—The Greenbelt Foundation has announced a new grant to the Alderville First Nation Black Oak Savanna to continue work on the Mitigomin Native Plant Nursery (MNPN). The word “Mitigomin” is an Anishinaabemowin word that translates to "seed from an oak.” The MNPN will produce native plants to support ecological restoration projects and increase natural cover in the region. The MNPN will grow species native to Ontario’s grassland ecosystems and the Rice Lake Plains, located at the easternmost edge of the Greenbelt.

Greenbelt Foundation Unveils New Signage to Improve Accessibility of Oak Ridges Moraine Trail

New Trailhead and Wayfinding Signs Installed with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

TORONTO, October 15, 2021 —The Greenbelt Foundation has unveiled 45 new trailhead and wayfinding signs on Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) land in the Oak Ridges Moraine—an important natural feature of Ontario’s Greenbelt. The signs will enhance navigation and accessibility and increase awareness of the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail and the Greenbelt, as a whole.