Photo by Michael Gil via Flickr

Recently Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca suspended the Environmental Assessment for a highway known as the GTA West or “The 413.”  The 413 would curve south-west from the 400 at King-Vaughan Road and meet the 407 and 401 roughly at Winston Churchill Blvd.  It would have to cross the Greenbelt several times to get there.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2016 

The link invites community members to paint the greenbelt mural

The Link community-creative hub is partnering with Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation to celebrate local food and nature through art with a new mural 

As part of the ongoing community-creative hub development, The Link is partnering with the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation to create a new mural along the unique, accessible corridor representing the community’s vision of nature and the outdoors. The mural celebrates the natural beauty of the Greenbelt and the Black River which lies on the eastern border of The Link property.

Members of the community are invited to join in painting the mural on Saturday, July 23 from 9am to 4pm. Artist Stefano Bove will be prepping the wall for painting in paint-by-number style so all ages and abilities are able to participate in creating this community asset. Snacks and light refreshments will be served.

The Greenbelt's Natural System provides a continuous and permanent land base, necessary to support human and ecological health. As part of implementing the Natural System, it is necessary to map specific natural heritage features (NHF), such as wetlands and forests. The Greenbelt Foundation undertook this study to examine the process by which NHF are mapped and communicated to the public. Communication of NHFs typically is undertaken by municipalities in response to issues raised by stakeholders who were concerned about mapping inaccuracies for the Natural System. This report documents the complexity of NHF mapping, the challenges with data collection, mapping, and documenting NHF, and provides recommendations to address these issues. Recommendations include:

• Standardizing language and data collection methodologies
• Ensuring use of appropriate technology and expertise
• Better coordination between mapping agencies
• Providing municipalities and conversation authorities with additional resources, like funding and guidance
• Providing an improved process for involving the public in NHF mapping
• Establishing simple processes for correcting maps
• Improved mapping of NHF continues to be relevant as municipalities refine provincial mapping of the Natural System.

Natural Heritage Features Mapping: Challenges and Best Practices (480KB)

One thing you’ll notice about the Greenbelt – whether you’re walking, cycling or driving – is the immense numbers of trees. In fact the Greenbelt is home to an estimated 200 million trees, and they do a lot more than provide a shady place to rest.

The Greenbelt’s forests capture and filter water, absorb air pollution, support crop pollination, and store and sequester carbon. These ‘eco-services’ are worth an estimated $1 billion – and the trees provide them for free.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2016

Curated local loops and collaboration with cycling and tourism groups draw new riders to Ontario’s protected countryside in the Greenbelt

The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation has partnered with Ontario By Bike, Feast ON, and regional tourism offices across Ontario’s protected Greenbelt to showcase world-class cycle tourism experiences connecting the region in the Greenbelt Route. Launched in 2015, the Greenbelt Route connects communities from Northumberland to Niagara on a signed cycling route through the countryside, highlighting bike-friendly destinations and supporting local economies.

On May 10th, 2016 the province announced its recommendations for changes to the Growth and Greenbelt Plans.

We are encouraged by the proposal to grow the Greenbelt to include 21 urban river valleys and seven coastal wetlands, bringing the Greenbelt into cities and towns with over 6 million residents. 

The province also added four parcels of protected countryside in the City of Hamilton and Niagara Region. 

But...the widely supported grassroots initiative to expand the Greenbelt and protect a ‘Bluebelt’ of vulnerable water resources was left out of the amendments. We hear that the province plans to start a process to identify such areas in the coming months - let's hold them to their word!

The grassroots 'bluebelt' proposal, put together by a coalition of over 100 environmental and community groups, calls for an ambitious expansion of the Greenbelt in order to protect critical drinking water sources and to ensure an abundant supply of clean water.

Find out more about the proposal and take action at GrowOurGreenbelt.ca!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 09, 2016

 Ontario self-guided Brewery Discovery Routes bigger and better for 2016

Self-guided tours of craft beverages and local food across Ontario and its protected Greenbelt launched for Ontario Craft Beer Week 2016

As Ontario Craft Beer Week celebrates local beer across Ontario, self-guided Brewery Discovery Routes provide five complete itineraries for folks looking to get out and explore breweries, cideries, Feast On restaurants, and local attractions. Along the way, participants can indulge in the flavours of artisanal cheeses, lovingly prepared culinary treats using fresh, local ingredients, premium craft beverages, farmers’ markets and scenic outlooks.

First launched in 2015, the 2016 expanded version includes nearly 150 independent craft beverage producers, over 100 Feast On restaurants and additional points of interest across Ontario and its protected Greenbelt.  Some 250,000 maps will be distributed for free to residents throughout the province and all the routes are also available online at brewerydiscoveryroutes.ca

May 2016 Newsletter

The Coordinated Review, a Local Food Week Guide, and a plan for Bike Month!

This month's newsletter features:

• A Growing Greenbelt
• A Local Food Week Guide
• Bike Month Suggestions
• And more... ! 

Cycle the Sights of the Greenbelt Route

It's been almost a year since the official launch of the Greenbelt Route and we're feeling celebratory.

Last summer's inaugural ride was overwhelming success, and, just in time for Bike Month (May 30 to June 30) we've rolled out even more functionality on our interactive mobile-friendly Greenbelt Route website. 

With updated points-of-interest, customizable itineraries, and suggested hikes and day-trips greenbelt.ca/route website offers the best of cycling and hiking experiences in the Greenbelt.

Check it out to start planning your Bike Month cycling adventures. 

Below are a few highlights to get you started!