Discover and celebrate Ontario farmers' fresh, local produce and help to Grow Our Greenbelt.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2016

Over 87,000 Trees Planted, 80,000 More To Go in Major Tender Fruit Initiative

64 Growers participate in subsidized planting project with Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation and Ontario Tender Fruit Growers to bolster Niagara’s tender fruit industry. 

A grant from the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, in partnership with Ontario Tender Fruit Growers, has supported 64 growers in planting 87,888 trees this spring. The new plantings include trees from the Stellar Peach Series, and varieties more resistant to fire blight. 

Students check out their newly depaved and planted greenspace. Credit: R.A. Riddell Elementary School.

A lot can happen in a year. For students and teachers at 10 schools across the Greater Golden Horseshoe this past year was all about celebrating their local environment and the Greenbelt!

In September 2015, EcoSpark in partnership with the Small Change Fund and Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation launched the 10 for 10 Greenbelt Youth Campaign, celebrating the 10^th anniversary of Ontario’s Greenbelt.  Students and teachers from 10 schools participated with $1,000 each from EcoSpark to achieve their Greenbelt goals.

Photo courtesy of the City of Vaughan via Ryerson report 

The GTHA is having a moment – that’s the finding of a new report out from the Ryerson City Building Institute. The report, “Suburbs on Track”, argues that with $32 billion in new transit spending planned as part of the Big Move, planning policies need to adapt to encourage smart growth along these corridors, especially in suburban communities.

Photo by Pexel via Creative Commons

Our IT Manager Jason is a nerd - in the best possible way. He doesn’t seek the limelight or glory; instead he focuses his efforts on ensuring our technological environment works efficiently. 

He makes sure every computer is optimized, staff are trained on the software installed, does backup upon backup upon backup, and ensures we are connected at all times.

Shape the future of our communities and end your summer with adventures in the Greenbelt!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 2016

Green accounting is coming to Oakville

New pilot for municipality will account for natural capital and ecosystem services in financial planning

The Town of Oakville is partnering on a new pilot project that will assess natural capital and how to financially account for its community contribution to municipal services. The “Municipal Natural Asset Initiative” will provide training and tools to municipal staff and leaders to account for the services provided by natural features and ecological systems in their infrastructure asset management.

Land-use policies and growth forecasts are subjects that often lead to yawning, bewilderment and deep sleep. But they’re also central to determining the future of our neighbourhoods, our towns and cities, and our rural areas.  It’s a bit like going to the dentist.  You may not like it but have to do it.

A new report in the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation Occasional Papers reviews the Growth Plan and other land use policies, and finds that a flawed approach to Land Needs Assessments (LNA) is leading to continued sprawl which is undermining the Growth Plan.

August 17, 2016

PLAN TO ACHIEVE: NEW REPORT RAISES CONCERNS OF SPRAWL UNDERMINING THE GROWTH PLAN

Report finds that outdated Land Needs Assessment method leading to over-designation of greenfield land in the Greater Toronto Area

As the Province undertakes a review of the Growth Plan and other land use polices, a new report finds that a flawed approach to Land Needs Assessments (LNAs) is leading to continued sprawl which is undermining the Growth Plan. The report, Plan to Achieve: A Review of the Land Needs Assessment Process and the Implementation of the Growth Plan, from the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation was prepared by Kevin Eby former Director of Community Planning for the Region of Waterloo. The report recommends the Province freeze urban boundary expansions until growth forecasts can be updated with the 2016 Census data.