Ontarians are Asked to Get Involved with Greenbelt River Valley Protection

Three Videos Show How Urban River Valleys Provide Important Greenspace and Other Critical Services

Toronto, March 18, 2021, The Greenbelt Foundation and Park People have released three videos that profile the 21 Greenbelt-protected urban river valleys that cover the Greater Golden Horseshoe and provide important greenspace to its growing communities.                  

The Bruce Peninsula, as one of the most intact natural areas in all of Southern Ontario, is a critically important stronghold for native flora and fauna. It has been identified as one of the Great Lakes' biodiversity "hotspots" for its abundance of rare and endangered species and natural communities. 

The Holland Marsh: Challenges and Opportunities in the Greenbelt provides an overview of the Holland Marsh -- its history, contribution to the agricultural economy, and the challenges it faces. The Holland Marsh, a Specialty Crop Area in the Greenbelt, has been used for growing vegetables since 1930, when a canal system was constructed to drain the Marsh for agricultural use. At over 7,000 acres, the land is comprised of some of the most fertile soil in Canada, organic black soil, that supports the growth of a wide variety of plants. 

The Holland Marsh is one of two “Specialty Crop Areas” in Ontario and a recognized producer of a significant percentage of the vegetables grown in the province. Despite the importance of the Marsh, there is a lack of specific information about the agriculture that occurs there or the economic impact this activity has on the provincial economy. The Holland Marsh Agricultural Impact Study, produced by Planscape Incorporated and Regional Analytic, describes the land base and agricultural profile in the Marsh, which then forms the basis for an economic analysis to calculate the financial contribution that primary production in the Marsh makes to the provincial economy annually. 

The Greenbelt's forests, wetlands, and agricultural soils capture and store considerable amounts of carbon and, as such, can play a role in mitigating climate change. Carbon in the Bank: Ontario's Greenbelt and its Role Mitigating Climate Change, produced in collaboration with the David Suzuki Foundation, quantifies the amount of carbon captured and stored by its ecosystems and translates these services into economic values. 

The local food movement is growing in the Broader Public Sector (BPS). Ontario's Local Food Champions 2012: Cultivating Changing in the Broader Public Sector profiles successful initiatives focused on getting more local food into the BPS. Each one resulted in many positive impacts: sales and volumes of Ontario food served in institutions have increased, patient satisfaction and kitchen staff morale are on the rise, and students are fast becoming a new generation of local-friendly consumers

Ontario's Wealth, Canada's Future: Appreciating the Value of the Greenbelt's Ecoservices, produced in collaboration with the David Suzuki Foundation, quantifies the value of the ecosystem services provided by the Greenbelt's natural capital, revealing the annual value of the region's measurable non-market ecosystem services at an estimated $2.6 billion annually. The value of ecosystem services considered in this report include carbon storage, air quality protection, watersheds, pollination, biodiversity, recreation, and agriculture.

Land Over Landings

About: Our organization has been passionately advocating for the cancellation of an airport in Pickering for almost 50 years. The massive project would see the urbanization of the Duffins Creek Watershed. A watershed that is among the most pristine in Southern Ontario. We consider ourselves stewards of a threatened watershed.

Opportunities: Educational opportunities

Learn more: landoverlandings.com

Contact: [email protected]

Valleys 2000

About: Valleys 2000 furthers the development of the hiking trails and the living outdoor activity area within the Bowmanville and Soper Creek Valley, which are river valleys running through the heart of Bowmanville, Ontario.

Opportunities: Volunteer opportunities, Educational opportunities

Learn more: https://valleys2000.ca/

Contact: [email protected]

Oakvillegreen Conservation Association

About: Oakvillegreen is a local environmental non-profit organization founded in 2000. We work hand-in-hand with thousands of volunteers to restore the ecological functions of local lands and waters, creating a more resilient and connected community. Our ongoing restoration and stewardship work includes projects in Oakville's 3 Greenbelt Urban River Valleys: Fourteen Mile Creek, Sixteen Mile Creek and Bronte Creek. We offer hands-on opportunities to restore habitat, working with local volunteers from the community, including youth and school groups, and corporate groups.

You can discover more about Oakville's creeks and urban river valleys, and all the benefits they bring, through our Discover Your Creek program: http://oakvillegreen.org/discover-your-creek/

Opportunities: Volunteer opportunities, Educational opportunities, Corporate opportunities, education and hands-on programming for school groups

Learn more: www.oakvillegreen.org

Contact: [email protected]

Norval Community Association

About: Norval is situated on the Credit River and the NCA volunteers look after the green spaces and park areas along the sides of the river in the village. We are working with POWER (a local environmental group) and David Suzuki Foundation - to restore the riverside areas by removing invasive plants and planting native pollinator species.

Opportunities: Volunteer opportunities, Educational opportunities, Events, Corporate opportunities

Learn more: www.norval-on-the-credit.ca

Contact: [email protected]

Conservation Halton

About: Conservation Halton delivers projects, programs and services in Halton and Hamilton for landowners and community members to participate in with respect to ravines, streams and urban river valleys. Conservation Halton leads restoration project workdays, undertakes environmental monitoring, runs educational workshops and provides landowner consultations.

Volunteers can support one off workdays or engage longer term as a member of the CH Volunteer Core, which accepts 20 applicants annually.

Opportunities: Volunteer opportunities, Educational opportunities, Events

Learn more: conservationhalton.ca

Contact: [email protected]

Halton Environmental Network

About: Halton Environmental Network (HEN) propels climate action & environmental sustainability in Halton. As a grassroots organization, supporting our community since 2004, HEN is recognized for its successful programs including Halton Green Screens, Greening Sacred Spaces Halton-Peel, Generation Green, OakvilleReady, Halton Food, & Food Loss & Waste Study. HEN is also the backbone agency of the Halton Climate Collective. HEN propels the Pop-Up Clean-Up initiative where litter is collected, measured & properly disposed of to protect our green spaces & waterways.

Opportunities: Volunteer opportunities, Educational opportunities, Events

Learn more: https://haltonenvironet.ca/ca

Contact: [email protected]

GASP (Grand(m)others Act to Save the Planet

About: GASP is a grassroots, non-partisan group of grandmothers and grand'others' who care deeply about the world our descendants will inherit. When the Provincial government gutted the Conservation Authorities and started using MZOs to gain access to wetlands, farmlands, and other green spaces, we formed a Ford Watch Committee. We are working to stop sprawl and partnering with other environmental groups.

Opportunities: Volunteer opportunities, Educational opportunities, Events

Learn more: www.GASP4change.org 

Facebook: GASP Grandmothers Act to Save the Planet Twitter: Gasp4Change

Contact: i[email protected] 905-466-3543 Lorraine Green, Co-chair

Sustainable Milton

About: Sustainable Milton is focused on creating a sustainable and resilient Milton by supporting and promoting activities that enhance our environment and help reduce the impacts of climate change. Our activities take place within the Niagara Escarpment biosphere which encompasses multiple ravines and watercourses. These activities include organized cleanups and re-naturalization projects along the 16 Mile Creek. Through these activities we are creating pollinator habitat and increasing biodiversity within the Town of Milton.

Opportunities: Volunteer opportunities, Educational opportunities, Events

Learn more: http://sustainablemilton.ca/

Contact: Mishal Naseer <[email protected]>

PitSense

About: PitSense is a community organization formed in 2010 to address the negative impacts on the ecology and water resources from pits and quarries on the Niagara Escarpment and adjacent areas.

Opportunities: Volunteer opportunities, Newsletter 'PitNotes'

Learn more: www.pitsense.ca

Contact: [email protected]

The Community Climate Council

About: After the pandemic, we will be organizing local neighborhood litter pickups on the land surrounding stormwater collection ponds and streams that connect to the Credit. As well, we provide educational resources through our social media and will launch a water education program for schools in 2021 through virtual field trips.

Opportunities: Volunteer opportunities, Educational opportunities

Learn more: www.communityclimatecouncil.org

Contact: Volunteers may contact [email protected], others interested in outreach activities or partnerships can contact [email protected]

The Riverwood Conservancy 

About: The Riverwood Conservancy is the charity that provides programs and direction for Riverwood – the 150-acre, urban nature preserve situated on the shores of the Credit River in Mississauga. Working together with like-minded groups and individuals, our mission is to enable people of all cultures, ages, and abilities to respectfully connect with nature and learn about the importance of protecting, conserving and restoring natural spaces for the well-being of future generations – all while experiencing the beauty of the Riverwood gardens.

Opportunities: Volunteer opportunities, Educational opportunities, Events, Corporate opportunities

Learn more: https://theriverwoodconservancy.org/

Contact: [email protected]