Resilient Circle of Green
Bowmanville Valleys 2000 Inc.
valleys2000.ca

$24,500 (over 4 months)
Grant Stream: Prosperous Greenbelt
Grant Approved: June 24, 2019

Bowmanville Valleys 2000, in partnership with the Town of Clarington and with support from the Greenbelt Foundation, is developing and installing a series of educational trail signs and digital wayfinding stations that run along the Bowmanville and Soper Creek river valleys (two of 21 Greenbelt-protected urban river valleys), to facilitate self-guided learning and orientation. Visitors can use their smart phones to connect with the wayfinding stations and learn about the unique characteristics of the creeks, the ecological significance of the river valleys, the indigenous histories of the region, and about the Greenbelt and its connected watersheds. This project is part of a larger plan to connect trail systems between the Bowmanville and Soper Creek river valleys, and create a closed loop of navigable greenspace around the Town of Bowmanville.

Protecting Natural Core Areas and Corridors in the Spirit and Practice of Reconciliation (Phase 2)
Ontario Nature
ontarionature.org

$50,000 (over 1 year)
Grant Approved: June 24, 2019
Grant Stream: Resilient Greenbelt

This project advances the protection of natural core areas and connecting corridors in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Central to this project is the acknowledgment of Indigenous rights and responsibilities, and support for the deep connection of Indigenous communities to the region's land and water. The project supports the Federal Government’s high-profile international commitment, Target 1, which mandates the conservation of 17% of land and freshwater in Canada by 2020. On the Bruce Peninsula, Ontario Nature will continue to bring together the Saugeen First Nation, National Park, and other community groups to build relationships and trust regarding conservation stewardship activities. They will also help create a platform for the sharing of Indigenous environmental knowledge, perspectives, and land management strategies. Community partners will collaborate to identify new protected areas and support restoration activities, including landscape connectivity. The importance of building climate-resilient habitats and communities through nature will be a central message communicated through the project. Together with local community organizations and First Nations, Ontario Nature is mapping a series of natural cores and corridors to identify new priorities for land protection, reduce forest fragmentation, and strengthen biodiversity.

Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation
www.mncfn.ca

$2,500
Grant Stream: Prosperous Greenbelt
Grant Approved: March 22, 2018

The planning grant provided capacity to the Mississauga of the Credit First Nations to develop ideas, partnerships and workplans for Greenbelt-wide Moccasin Identifier Program to reflect the presence of First Nations on the land. The Moccasin Identifier Program marks the historic presence of First Nations in Ontario. There is opportunity to expand the program and increase education about the history of First Nations in the area, reclaim indigenous culture and enable the public to connect to First Nations through the landscape of the Greenbelt by identifying historic trade routes and other activities. Also, to enhance cultural and natural heritage in the Greenbelt there is tremendous opportunity to work with Indigenous leaders/communities to build the presence of Indigenous Peoples on the landscape (past and present), tell traditional stories and learn and apply traditional knowledge to preserve nature.

The Niagara Escarpment is perhaps the most visually exciting region in all of Ontario. Considered one of the world’s natural wonders, the Escarpment is recognized as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve site. Spanning 725 kilometres and covering 1923 km2 of land, the Escarpment is home to a myriad of farms, towns, cities, villages, recreation areas, sweeping scenic views, 1,675-foot cliffs, wetlands, and waterfalls – most notably, Niagara Falls.

From an agricultural perspective, the Niagara Escarpment offers perfect growing conditions for tender fruit and grapes. The Niagara tender fruit growing region is one of the most productive fruit growing regions in the world! The Niagara Peninsula - between the Escarpment and Lake Ontario - produces the largest amount of Ontario’s tender fruit.

• 94% of Ontario grapes come from the Niagara region
• 90% of Peaches
• 80% of plums
• 75% of sweet cherries
• 72% of pears
• 60% of sour cherries 

Credit Valley Conservation
cvc.ca

$100,000 (over 2 years)
Grant Stream: Prosperous Greenbelt
Grant Approved: August 31, 2015

Following 2.5 years of robust consultation and collaborative public engagement, the Credit Valley Conservation Foundation Board created and approved the Credit Valley Trail (CVT) Strategy. The Strategy establishes the collaborative vision, mission, and values of the Credit Valley Trail, and will guide the creation of trails over the next 25 years. The 25-year strategy, made possible by the Greenbelt Foundation, transformed a 60-year old concept into a commitment to create a 100 km trail from the headwaters in Orangeville to the mouth of Lake Ontario in Port Credit. Ultimately, this project inspires, connects, and empowers infinite generations of river guardians who will value and protect the Credit Valley watershed.

Rebuilding Consumer Trust in Farmers' Markets
Greenbelt Farmers' Market Network
www.greenbeltmarkets.ca

$49,998.35 (over 1 year)
Grant Stream: Prosperous Greenbelt
Grant Approved: July 2018

The Greenbelt Farmers’ Market Network (GFMN) plays a leadership role in strengthening farmers’ markets in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The network hosts an annual Market Manager’s Day to provide professional development to market managers and farm vendors. They recently launched a digital matchmaking tool to connect managers and farmers. This helps foster product development, as well as the creation of consumer loyalty programs, and measures vendor sales and other indicators of success every five years. The network utilizes newsletters and emails to communicate regular updates to market managers, including news for vendors and customers. 

Park People

parkpeople.ca

$21,000 (over 6 months)

Grant Stream: Resilient Greenbelt

Grant Approved: June 10, 2019

Through the Greenbelt Foundation’s Into the Greenbelt program, Park People are engaging children, youth, and families from Boys and Girls Clubs across the Greater Golden Horseshoe on fun and educational day trips. By providing 25 bursaries per year to eligible groups, this program is helping underwrite the travel and programming costs of enriching excursions into Greenbelt natural areas on the outskirts of Canada's most developed region. The program will directly connect over 1,000 children, youth, newcomers, and other underserved groups, living in urban centres, to the Greenbelt to learn about the benefits and beauty of our natural systems and protected spaces. These trips are intended to meaningfully connect participants to nature by engaging them in outdoor recreation and nature-based learning experiences. The project will conclude with the creation of four new Greenbelt itineraries.

A key natural heritage system due to its hydrological significance, the Oak Ridges Moraine was formed over 12,000 years ago by advancing and retreating glaciers, the Oak Ridges Moraine currently forms the watershed divide between Lake Ontario and Lake Simcoe, and is the headwaters to more than 30 rivers. Due to it’s location and formation, the aquifer located below the Moraine contributes to both local and regional ground water flows; making it an important asset for Ontarians.

Beyond being both a natural and essential resource for ground water flows, the Moraine is also home to a variety of diverse vegetation and wildlife species. In fact, the Moraine is home to over 1-thousand plant species; 30 species of reptiles and amphibians; 51 mammal species; 73 fish species; and 74 species of butterfly—just to name a few!

Here are a few other fun facts to help further highlight this amazing natural landscape:

• There are 32 municipalities located within the Moraine.
• The Moraine is home to 9 conservation authorities.
• Over 40 non-government environmental organizations reside within the Moraine.
• There are 125 species of moss found within the Moraine.
• 70 dragonfly/damselfly species can be found within the Moraine.
• 88 species found within the Moraine are provincial or national species at risk.

Wind your way up onto the Beamsville Bench, a narrow plateau sloping gradually from the cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment northwards to the bottom of the crescent-shaped Lake Iroquois Shore Bluff. This appellation reaps the benefits of continuous air circulation that moderates temperature and creates a unique set of conditions that provide a natural complexity to the grapes that are grown here.

Award-winning wineries are eager to share their distinctive personalities and products with you. Take in a vineyard concert, tour the wine cellars, and sample inspired food and wine pairings at one of more than seventy VQA wineries in Niagara, 14 of which are right on the Greenbelt Route.

Fall in love with Halton Region as you cycle along the cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment and onto the rolling hills of the Oak Ridges Moraine.  Soak in the rich history, as the Greenbelt Route carries you through the beautiful Town of Halton Hills, renowned for its rolling terrain.  There is plenty to see and do as you drop into the charming communities of Acton and Georgetown.  Be sure to pay a visit to the historic lime kilns in the community of Limehouse too.