Report Reveals How Ontario Municipalities Can Better Support Local Agriculture

Challenges and Opportunities Identified in the Report will Enhance Agriculture in the Greenbelt

TORONTO, October 7, 2021 – The Greenbelt Foundation has released a new report, Enhancing Municipal Capacity to Support Agriculture in the Greenbelt, which underscores how a thriving agricultural industry greatly benefits from the knowledge and support of municipal governments. This report examines 66 municipalities in Ontario’s Greenbelt to illuminate the challenges and opportunities they face in responding to the needs of the agricultural and agri-food industry. 

Prepared by Dr. Wayne Caldwell, Elise Geschiere, Emily Sousa, and Regan Zink from the University of Guelph, Enhancing Municipal Capacity to Support Agriculture in the Greenbelt describes the factors impacting the capacity of Greenbelt municipalities to respond to emerging and evolving agricultural and agri-food issues. 

Our Forests - Continually Giving

By Ben Hughes, PR Assistant and Thomas Bowers, Interim Director of Research and Policy
Greenbelt Foundation

Each year, National Forest Week is celebrated by individuals and organizations across Canada. This year’s National Forest Week took place from September 19 – 25, with the goal of raising Canadians’ awareness about the importance of forests with the theme of “Our Forests – Continually Giving.” 

85,000 New Trees and Vines Will Strengthen the Resilience of Niagara’s Tender Fruit Sector

Greenbelt Foundation Renews Support for Ontario Tender Fruit Growers 

TORONTO, September 23, 2021—With over $280,000 in support from the Greenbelt Foundation, Ontario Tender Fruit Growers is strengthening the economic viability of Niagara’s Tender Fruit sector by planting approximately 75,000 new trees and 10,000 new vines across the Niagara Tender Fruit and Grape Area—one of two Specialty Crop Areas protected by Ontario’s Greenbelt.  

Today’s investment is projected to increase fruit production in the region by seven per cent, contributing an additional $10 million in value to the sector, and creating 150 new full-time jobs. This major investment in Greenbelt agriculture is part of an ongoing ‘replant’ program. The Greenbelt Foundation previously contributed $400,000 toward this program between 2015–2017, supporting the planting of 156,000 trees and vines that are producing fruit today.

On July 27, 2021, the Southern Ontario Nature Coalition (SONC) held a digital information session to highlight recommendations from its new report: Near Urban Nature Network: A Solution to Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss. The report, which is two years in the making and released on July 22, 2021, is the final report for SONC’s innovative near-urban nature project.

Let the Good Times Roll; On 2021's Great Waterfront Trail Adventure

 August 25th, 2021

 Everyone, start your engines! Actually, it's more like pump-up your tires and lube your chain! And so began the 2021 Great Waterfront Trail Adventure (GWTA), with 75 cyclists departing Blue Mountain Resort,   headed on a six day adventure to Point Clark..

I’m Martin Lortz, the official photographer for the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure. The Great Waterfront Trail Adventure is an annual, multi-day cycle tour and awareness ride to promote the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and the communities that support it.

Starting on Friday August 6, I had the pleasure of photographing this year’s adventure that explored 520 kilometres, 26 communities, and two of Ontario's finest recreational assets: the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and the Greenbelt. This is my story of the ride. I hope you enjoy!

Are you passionate about research, agriculture, planning and environmental issues? If you're 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.

Position: Research & Policy Analyst

Duration: Permanent Position

Hours/Weeks: 40 hrs. (5 days/wk.)

REQUEST FOR SERVICES - STRATEGIC AND PROGRAM PLANNING

Greenbelt Foundation

 PURPOSE

The Greenbelt Foundation is seeking planning support from qualified individuals or professional service firms to assist in:

1. Engagement of key internal and external stakeholders to inform preliminary strategic planning at an organizational and individual program(s) level;
2. Program level planning for key strategic initiatives to augment and refine existing program goals and models; and/or
3. Organizational strategic planning that will update our existing strategic framework and provide the basis for operational planning and enhanced performance monitoring.

Depending on responses received the Foundation may chose to work with one or more proponent but our goal would be to engage a single individual or firm.

Ontario's cyclists welcome back the Great Waterfront Trail
adventure in the Bruce, Grey and Simcoe counties

August 5, 2021—Toronto. On August 7, participating cyclists will kick off the 2021 Great Waterfront Trail Adventure (GWTA). “This year’s Adventure not only celebrates the Trail’s extension into the counties of Grey, Bruce and Simcoe, it’s also a clear and exciting sign that cycle tourists are eager to get out to explore Ontario and support communities and businesses this summer,” says Marlaine Koehler, executive director, Waterfront Regeneration Trust.

The GWTA is the Waterfront Regeneration Trust’s annual, multi-day bicycling tour, designed to showcase the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and the communities that support it. It also promotes the mission behind the initiative—the regeneration of our Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.

Be a Nature-Based Local Tourist this Summer

By Ben Hughes and Anna Shortly

July 28th, 2021

For many of us, tourism has been far from mind over the last year, as we’ve worked through the various waves of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. But now, as more people get vaccinated and the province continues its reopening plan, many of us are looking for safe, local travel opportunities.

Ontario’s Greenbelt protects over two million acres of farmland, forests, wetlands, rivers, lakes, and other natural heritage features. Its natural and agricultural landscapes have important roles to play in supporting rural economies, especially those based on Tourism and Recreation. Popular rural tourism mainstays like farmer’s markets, award-winning microbreweries, cideries, and wineries, and other agri-food or culinary tourism experiences can all be found in the Greenbelt. You can go on a gorgeous hike, visit a farm-gate to buy fresh, local produce, and relax on a patio with a local craft beer—all in the same day!