In the spring of 2006 Hike Ontario received a grant from the Trails for Life funding program to develop a 'Manual of Best Practices to Increase Trail Use by Hikers and Walkers in Ontario.' Hike Ontario then engaged in researching and collecting data for increasing the use of trails by walkers and hikers in Ontario and its Greenbelt, with Canada's largest network of trails.

Hike Ontario is happy to announce that the Best Practices Manual is now ready for distribution and available for download from their homepage . Many organizations have expressed interest in creating pedestrian footpaths and organizing hiking and walking activities to pique people's desire for healthy, inexpensive, and accessible activities on them.

This is the Buy Local Presentation by Art Smith, CEO of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association, at this year’s Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. I would like to thank you for the invitation to speak at this year’s Royal Agricultural Winter Fair about an issue that is strongly being pushed by the organization I represent, the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association – a provincial lobby organization composed of 28 individual fruit and vegetable grower groups and marketing boards, with a total farmer membership of more than 7,500, and an economic value estimated in the billions of dollars.

The question of sustainability crosses many jurisdictions: economic, environmental, health, food safety, food security, rural life, and alternative land use.

July 2007

The Greenbelt Plan recognizes the importance of trails to the quality of life of Ontarians. This report looks at the Ontario Trails Strategy, the economic opportunities, challenges and acquisition options. This report also explores several case studies. [The fourth installment in the Occasional Paper Series presented by the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation.] "Greenbelt Walks: An Overview of the Opportunities and Challenges of Major Trails in the Greenbelt" by Jessica Bartram, Susan Lloyd Swail and Burkhard Mausberg.

Town & Country would like to introduce you to Ontario's bountiful agricultural communities in the Greenbelt. From the farmers that feed us to the markets where we shake hands over delicious local produce, discover the wonders growing in our backyard.

Please follow the link....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cz6lOvm7Z0w

Credit River Watershed Greenbelt Signs

Covering an area of over 25,000 acres, the Credit River watershed is connected to ten different municipalities, populated by 600,000 people.

The Credit River Watershed is home to diverse species of plants and animals. Facing pressures of drought and flooding, natural hazards, sediment and erosion, loss of habitat, spills, fragmentation and pests among others, the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation is heightening the visibility and identity of the watershed area.

Clean and safe drinking water is high on Ontarians’ minds. It is also what the Greenbelt protection provides. The Credit Valley Conservation Authority increases their watershed identity with a road signage program, consisting of fifteen signs which identify the Credit River Valley as a vital Greenbelt watershed, emphasizing clean water and healthy watersheds as one of its crucial, long-term benefits.

Sponsorship

Bringing food and education to a shared forum, Greenbelt sponsorship of this premier horticultural event attracts over 1,100 participants and includes two days of educational sessions with expert speakers from around the world. This year’s event features a local food seminar to address the challenge of demand over supply for locally produced food.

Bruce Duncan Wildlife Teaching Garden

During his 18 years with the Hamilton Conservation Authority, Bruce Duncan was a teacher-naturalist, ecologist and manager, leading over 45,000 children throughout his career in various outdoor education programs and nature hikes and sharing his love of nature with the public.

The Dundas Valley Conservation Area, home of the Hamilton Conservation Authority’s outdoor environmental education program, hosts a teaching garden, created in memory of one of HCA’s teachers, Bruce Duncan.The late Bruce Duncan, former General Manager and Chief Administrative Officer of the Hamilton Conservation Authority, worked tirelessly to instill younger generations with a passion for protecting and enhancing the natural environment. This teaching garden in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area is a tribute to his legacy.

Ontario’s Greenbelt is celebrated at this year’s Royal Fair – where country comes to the city. The largest Greenbelt in the world, it is also a significant agricultural area. Look for facts about the Greenbelt and agriculture in this year’s Royal Show Guide. 85th Royal Agricultural Winter Fair November 2 – 11, 2007 Direct Energy Center, Exhibition Place, Toronto Visit one of the Greenbelt Kiosks located in the horse, food, wine and environmental areas, and enter for a chance to win a Spa Getaway from the Millcroft Inn and Spa – The Definitive Country Retreat. Win two nights accommodation plus dinner for two, one evening, a breakfast buffet both mornings, and $200.00 towards spa services.  A stunning aerial view of the historic Millcroft Inn and Spa, a refreshing blend of rural serenity and sophisticated hospitality situated in the rolling countryside of Ontario's Caledon Hills. At the Greenbelt Kiosks you can also pick up a copy of the My Local Greenbelt Guide, and discover the bounty of local food grown in each region of the Greenbelt. The guide lists prized fruit orchards, pick your own berry farms, fine dining and family restaurants, farmers’ markets, stores and many more places that promote the local harvest. You can also get your copy of the Greenbelt Walks brochure with its 1,000 km of trails and Greenbelt buttons. Taste the Greenbelt at the Durham Agricultural Farmers’ Market and learn about environmental farming practices at the model Enviro Farm. See more of the Greenbelt on display at the Agricultural Innovation Centre. Visit the Greater Toronto Conservation Foundation booth that also includes an interactive Greenbelt map for kids and, visit theJourney to Your Good Health special feature. Watch for the video about Ontario’s Greenbelt at the Royal Horse Show and enjoy the largest agricultural fair in Canada. 

Alphabet City’s FOOD Festival

In the spirit of dialogue, awareness of food security and celebrating and supporting sustainable food systems, this month-long Toronto festival features a wide variety of events throughout October 2007. With a tour of the Ontario Food Terminal and an art exhibition on local food, the festival kicks-off with Toronto Mayor David Miller making a public proclamation on the value of local food and the importance of supporting local farmers.

Ottawa, October 10, 2007 - The Hills of Headwaters Tourism Association received one of only seven awards handed out last week in Ottawa at the Ontario Tourism Marketing Awards.

The Hills of Headwaters Visitor’s Guide & Map, the region’s two official tourism marketing publications, were awarded gold in the category of printed collateral materials featuring Ontario tourism destinations or attractions. In the region you will find the towns of Orangeville, Erin, Caledon, Dufferin, Shelburne and Mono.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by the Ontario tourism industry for our efforts at promoting the Hills of Headwaters region as a sophisticated rural tourism destination” said Executive Director Lisa Brusse. “As local residents and businesses we are all beneficiaries of the wealth that visitor’s bring to the Headwaters region. The tourism dollars spent at our local restaurants, stores, galleries, theatres, golf courses and conservation areas supplement local spending and help to sustain our local economy and the quality of life we all enjoy.”