The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation weighed in on Metrolinx's consultations on its Regional Transportation Plan (known as "the Big Move"). You can read our full submission below.

 View PDF 

By: Auriel Haynes, Blackwell Children's Garden, Malvern

Into the Greenbelt gave the children and some adults from Blackwell Children's Garden, all from the Malvern area, the great opportunity to visit a ''pick your own'' farm. Their excitement was palpable as we prepared to leave for Murphy’s Country Produce. The bus left Malvern on a cool but sunny morning. The drive to Hamilton itself was exciting, as the kids seldom get go on long drives just for fun.

On Tuesday, December 6, members of the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance headed to the Ontario legislature at Queen's Park to meet with MPPs and support the campaign to #GrowOurGB. Here are some highlights!

Members of the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance gather at Queen's Park

The feedback period for the recent Coordinated Land Use Planning Review ended on October 31. The Province is now reviewing submissions from the public, municipalities, community groups, and others, including over 35,000 letters sent by residents in support of protecting and growing the Greenbelt. Amendments to the Greenbelt and Growth Plans are expected in late winter or spring 2017. To show support for the Greenbelt while the Province deliberates, 70 OGA members and Municipal Leaders for the Greenbelt, as well as 25 MPPs, gathered for an early breakfast at Queen's Park.

Members of the OGA delivered over 35,000 signatures to Minister Mauro and Premiere Wynne

There was representation from across the Greenbelt, including the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, Environmental Defence, Toronto Environmental Alliance, Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition, Save the Oak Ridges Moraine (STORM), Environment Hamilton, Oakville Green, Sustainable Brant and the Langford Conservancy, EcoSpark, Wellington Water Watchers, and more!

Municipal Leaders for the Greenbelt expressed strong support for growing the Greenbelt. In particular, Mayor Steve Parrish of Ajax expressed the need to protect the headwaters of Carruthers Creek, while Deputy Toronto Mayor Glenn De Baeremaeker called for the freezing of municipal boundaries for the next 10 years to promote smart growth and protect farmland. 

35,000 emails and letters sent to @Kathleen_Wynne @BillMauroMPP in support of #GrowourGB efforts. Truly impressive. Proud to be part of this https://t.co/FRXDUwqt5s

— Mayor Steve Parish (@MayorParish) December 6, 2016

Minister of Municipal Affairs Bill Mauro thanked the OGA for its efforts, and acknowledged the receipt of over 35,000 letters. He expressed excitement at the new protections for 21 urban river valleys and seven coastal wetlands.

Minister of Municipal Affairs Bill Mauro addressed the OGA over breakfast on Tuesday

Ernie Hardeman, Agriculture and Food Critic for the Progressive Conservatives also commended the Ontario Greenbelt for supporting local food and farming. He stated, "On behalf of Patrick Brown and the PC Caucus, we totally support the Greenbelt."

Take a look a this Twitter Moment for highlights from the morning as they happened, including more photos, quotes from speakers, and insights from OGA members. 

Thank you to everyone who took part in the day, and to supporters across the Greenbelt! While we wait for the Province's amendments, you can still send a letter to Minister of Municipal Affairs Mauro to support the protection and expansion of the Greenbelt. It's critical that we ensure Greenbelt boundaries are permanently protected from unbridled sprawl, and that the Growth Plan is working to help cities and growing municipalities develop responsibly.

By: Across U-hub, Toronto

On a sunny Saturday in late October, Across U-Hub took 30 young adults to immerse themselves in the spectacular colours of fall at Kortright Centre for Conservation in Vaughan. 

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE and FRIENDS OF THE GREENBELT FOUNDATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2016

New poll finds overwhelming public support for the Growth Plan
Eight in 10 Greater Golden Horseshoe residents support the Growth Plan to protect farmland and encourage smart growth 

Toronto, ON – A poll conducted by Environics Research and released today by Environmental Defence and the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation found that nearly 80 per cent of Greater Golden Horseshoe residents support the Growth Plan and its goals for the region.

New polling shows that 8 in 10 residents in the Greater Golden Horseshoe support the Growth Plan and its goals. The most important goal of the Growth Plan identified by respondents was the protection of farmland and sensitive natural areas.

The numbers also showed that 81% of residents support directing the majority of housing and job growth to already built up areas. 

The survey was a joint project of the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation and Environmental Defence.

For a detailed look at the survey results, please click here.

 Download the PDF

On Wednesday, November 2, 2016, St. Catharines MPP Jim Bradley spoke in the Ontario legislature to support growing the Greenbelt to protect more sensitive and vital water resources. Thank you, Mr. Bradley!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2016

New Report Finds Ontarians Receive $3.2B in Benefits from Greenbelt
Report uses latest methodology to evaluate the value of ecosystem services provided by Ontario’s Greenbelt to residents in the Greater Golden Horseshoe

A new report, Ontario’s Good Fortune: Appreciating the Greenbelt’s Natural Capital from Green Analytics and Sustainable Prosperity found that in addition to storing over $11.17B of carbon, the Greenbelt provides $3.2B annually in ecosystem services to the region. The report, commissioned by the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, assessed the value of final services provided by the Greenbelt that Ontario residents benefit from.

This report, commissioned by the Greenbelt Foundation, estimates the value derived from the natural capital of the Greenbelt, establishes a baseline natural capital accounting framework that can be maintained and built upon over time to support decision making and advocacy work related to the Greenbelt, and presents a natural capital accounting framework that demonstrates to decision makers how to identify and measure the benefits derived from natural capital. The framework developed in this study can be updated with new data, be used to capture changes over time, and inform decisions about land use management and policy.

The report uses the National Ecosystem Services Classification methodology to identify a series of ecosystem service accounts that directly benefit residents – for example bird watching, flood protection, and clean air to breathe. Key findings include:

• Recreational activities valued at $2.1B per year
• $224M per year in flood protection for private property
• $52M per year in carbon sequestration

By Central Neighbourhood House

Early in October a group of 40 adults and children made our way to Murphy’s Country Produce in Binbrook, Ontario – luckily it was PD day for kids!