2024 Greenbelt Summer Towns Tour

Written by Mickaela Sampson, Advisor Social and Digital Media at The Greenbelt Foundation

September 27, 2024

At the beginning of the summer, the Greenbelt Foundation’s Comms Team embarked on a brand new social campaign highlighting local tourism within the Greenbelt. When presented with the opportunity to go, I jumped at the chance!

What started out as a solo project, quickly became a family affair, with one or both of parents accompanying me along the way. The “Three-Musketeers” I like to call us,  visited various towns along the Greenbelt Explore Route, beginning in Queenston, Niagara and ending East in Cobourg, in Northumberland County. We spent the last 4 months visiting farmers markets, hiking trails, bakeries and beaches. Here’s a recap of some of my (well our) adventures!

Greenbelt Foundation Celebrates National Forest Week with 1 Million Trees in the Greenbelt Program to Enhance Forest Systems While Educating Communities 

TORONTO, September 24, 2024 - The Greenbelt Foundation is celebrating National Forest Week by highlighting success to date with its 1 Million Trees in the Greenbelt Program, which aims to educate communities and enhance forest systems in the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) region. With a strong focus on strategic planting and community education, this program seeks to increase understanding of the importance of healthy forest cover and associated human and ecological benefits. 

Maintaining the Policy Framework in Place for Ontario’s Greenbelt 

Purpose 

We are seeking proposals from qualified professional service providers to complete a policy analysis and develop recommendations to maintain the strength and completeness of the policy framework in place for the Ontario Greenbelt with a specific focus on those that are currently provided by the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2020) and the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS), 2020.  

Come for a Ride and Discover So Much More: The 2024 Great Lakes Waterfront Trail Adventure Cycling Tour

  August 30, 2024

If you have ever envisioned yourself cycling along one of the picturesque landscapes of Lake Superior, Lake Huron North Channel, and Manitoulin Island, the 2024 Great Lakes Waterfront Trail Adventure Cycling Tour recently granted over a hundred cyclists the opportunity to transform that vision into reality.

While cycling nearly 500 kilometres over six days might impress, this annual tour is more than just a bike ride; it's a journey that takes you through diverse landscapes, vibrant communities, and a tapestry of cultural experiences that are as enriching as they are unforgettable. It might start as a ride, but you discover so much more.

Attending the 79th Soil and Water Conservation Society International Annual Conference

Written by Ryan Carlow, Soil Health Specialist, The Greenbelt Foundation and Jenny Bower, Research Soil Scientist, Soil Health Institute. 

This past week, we had the opportunity to attend the SWCS annual conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The SWCS is the largest professional society for those working in the conservation field. This meeting was the 2nd largest in the last 20 years, with over 650 people in attendance arriving from all over the US and international locations! Attendees worked for many organizations including federal and state governments, universities, agricultural companies and nonprofit organizations. The theme of the conference was “Rising Together: Collaborative Conservation for All”, which we feel is thoroughly embodied by our soil health assessment project, as it succeeds by collaborating with Ontario agricultural organizations, academic institutions, and government.  

Interview with Chief Stacey Laforme, 2024 Friend of the Greenbelt Award Recipient

Chief Stacey Laforme is the former Chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit and current poet and storyteller.

June 28th, 2024

Since 2005, the Greenbelt Foundation has been lucky to work with an amazing network of supporters and partners. Their dedication has helped keep the Greenbelt strong and thriving, benefiting millions of people in Ontario. 

Every year, the Friend of the Greenbelt Award celebrates those who champion the Greenbelt through their actions and words, contributing to its health and prosperity. Past winners have included Ontario Premiers, community members, industry leaders, innovative agriculture organizations, and conservation authorities. 

Solutions for Addressing Loss of Public Park Space: 

New Report Outlines Strategy for Increasing Access to Urban and Near-Urban Greenspaces Through Private Land Stewardship and Indigenous Collaboration

Toronto, June 4, 2024 - As Ontario grows, there is an increasing demand for greenspaces within and near urban areas. Large parks provide benefits for physical and mental health, allow access to recreational and cultural spaces close to home and can provide critical habitats and corridors for biodiversity. In response, a recent report titled Integrating Private Lands in Large Park Networks, by the Greenbelt Foundation in partnership with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and Cambium Indigenous Professional Services, examines the potential for incorporating private lands into large park and trail systems with the benefits of it being in near urban areas to increase greenspace access for all.  

The Greenbelt Foundation's latest report Integrating Private Lands in Large Park Networks, in partnership with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and Cambium Indigenous Professional Services, examines the potential for incorporating private lands into large park and trail systems with the benefits of it being in near urban areas to increase greenspace access for all.  

Ontario Schools Protect Greenbelt’s Biodiversity and Native Plant Species through EcoSchools Program

Toronto, ON – May 30, 2024 – EcoSchools Canada’s Take Action in the Greenbelt program provides resources for schools across Ontario to learn about native plants and biodiversity. Since the program’s inception in 2021, the Foundation has provided $107,000 for this program and this year, the Greenbelt Foundation’s continued support of the program has allowed 131 schools from 50 school boards to take the Greenbelt Biodiversity Action – created to support students in understanding biodiversity and provide funding to plant native species in their community.  

Keeping Uxbridge Clean: Provincial Day of Action on Litter

 Written by Serena Luk, Manager of Content and Media Relations, at the Greenbelt Foundation

May 31, 2024

Litter is an issue that impacts not just the aesthetic value of our surroundings but also the health of our environment. It’s essential to understand that reducing litter isn't just about making our spaces look good. It's about preserving the natural beauty and ensuring the sustainability of our ecosystems. When we reduce litter, we contribute to a cleaner, healthier, and more vibrant community.