Canadian Geographic's Mini-Forest Summit

  October 31st, 2023

There is nothing like our nation’s capital to take your breath away on a glorious fall day!  

I am on my way home from attending the Canadian Geographic's Mini-Forest Summit hosted by the Network of Nature and their multiple collaborators, Green Communities Canada, Dougan & Associates Ecological Consulting, Canadian Geographic, and the Network’s funders.  

Request for Proposals 

Re-envisioning the ‘Into the Greenbelt’ grant program 

Introduction 

The Greenbelt Foundation’s popular Into the Greenbelt grant program provides Newcomers, underserved communities, and young people in the Greater Golden Horseshoe with opportunities to explore the natural beauty and farms of Ontario’s Greenbelt and learn about the importance of protecting and enhancing the landscape. Travel bursaries and program funding for educational and stewardship activities is provided to eligible agencies with resources to organize day trips to select Greenbelt destinations.  

Since COVID-19, the Foundation paused its support of in-person experiential programming in the Greenbelt, however, with high demand for nature-based experiences and access to greenspace, and farm visits and local food, the Foundation seeks to re-envision the program including audiences to engage, programming and its delivery model.  

Background 

A typical year has supported 35 trips, 900 individuals and 14 host sites. Program delivery partners and site hosts, such as local Conservation Areas, national and provincial parks, local family farms and other community and cultural organizations were responsible for producing itineraries based around nature, recreation and food throughout the Greenbelt’s seven regions (Northumberland, Durham, York, Peel, Halton, Hamilton, and Niagara). Itineraries included picnics, hikes, canoeing and u-picking at farms. Some groups organized educational talks on forests, wetlands and wildlife. 

By reducing economic barriers, the program provides much needed opportunities for community service groups, especially those in urbanized areas, such as, youth service organizations, cultural groups and Newcomer agencies, to expand their service offerings and directly engage participants in outdoor recreation and nature-based learning experiences. 

The program also supports Foundation efforts to engage all audiences and communicate the value and benefit of the Greenbelt, strengthen community relationships, and promote Greenbelt visits and tourism. 

Country Cruising Through the Greenbelt

  September 28, 2023

  Creating an appealing rural cycling route should include peaceful country roads, secluded limestone rail trails, picturesque waterfront paths, places to grab a meal, and spots perfect for capturing a selfie or group photo. Fortunately, all 13 of Ontario's Great Lakes to Greenbelt cycling routes meet these criteria. If you are looking for easy access, breathtaking views, waterfalls, a mix of urban and rural environments, and a few challenging hills, welcome to the Escarpment Country Cruise. 

A thriving Greenbelt is a thriving Ontario.  

The Greenbelt Foundation applauds the Government of Ontario’s decision to reverse the removal of land from Ontario’s Greenbelt, signaling a return to permanent protection of its critical water, natural heritage and agricultural systems. Our Ontario Greenbelt contains the productive farmlands that feed us, the landscapes that clean our water, the trees that filter our air, and supports the health and economies of numerous communities big and small in the most densely populated area of the country. 

The incredible outpouring of support for the Greenbelt and the Foundation’s work over the past ten months has been a testament to the strength of our community and a reminder of the place of importance that the Greenbelt holds in the lives of every Ontarian. We thank each community member, partner, advocate and citizen who gave voice to the necessity of permanently protecting these lands. 

The Greenbelt’s agricultural system of connected, working farmland is the cornerstone of southern Ontario’s rural economy and provides residents of the Greater Golden Horseshoe with a reliable and diverse source of local food and drink. It is home to the province’s only two specialty crop areas – the Holland Marsh and the Niagara Tender Fruit and Grape Area – whose fertile soils and unique climate conditions allow Greenbelt farmers to grow crops that can’t be grown anywhere else.  

As Ontario grows, we will need even more of what the Greenbelt provides to support strong, climate resilient communities. The Greenbelt Foundation will continue to work with partners, including the Ontario government, to conduct research and execute programs that strengthen the Greenbelt and all it provides. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday January 11, 2017

Statement from the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation Regarding Provincial Announcement on Proposed Minor Changes to the Greenbelt Boundary

The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation congratulates the Province on their commitment to protect farmland and nature with today’s announcement that only minor, technical changes will be made to Greenbelt boundaries. Minister for Municipal Affairs Bill Mauro has led a thoughtful, evidence-based review process and should be commended for his work in delivering this important achievement for Ontario.

Request for Proposals:

Greenbelt Indicators – Data Analysis and Report Writing

Background 

The Greenbelt Foundation is in the final stage of a multi-year project to report on a set of indicators for monitoring thematic areas relevant to the sustainability of the Greenbelt and work of the Foundation. The goals of this project are to improve knowledge, understanding and awareness of the Greenbelt, including monitoring the state of the Greenbelt, achievement of the Greenbelt Plan vision and goals, and the environmental, social and economic benefits associated with the Greenbelt.  

To understand the success of the Greenbelt Plan and inform the work of the Foundation and other partners working to increase its resiliency, information is needed to understand how the physical, social, and economic landscapes are changing over time. Building and communicating information and knowledge about the Greenbelt requires identification of spatial and temporal trends in agriculture systems, natural systems, tourism, cultural heritage, development of complete communities, rural economies, and climate resilience.   

Previous work done by the Foundation on this project has included a literature review and stakeholder consultation to identify potential methods of monitoring the Greenbelt’s systems. A background report on the results of that research, including a list of monitoring indicators, was produced, and can be provided upon request. For a copy, please email [email protected].  

In addition, this work will build on and includes recent Foundation reports such as the Greenbelt Value of Nature Survey for Recreation in the Greater Golden Horseshoe; the Economic Impact Assessment of the Ontario Greenbelt; and Growing Close to Home: Creating Complete Rural Communities. Foundation staff have completed initial data collection and analysis on indicators related to four thematic areas: the natural environment, the agricultural system, the rural economy, and rural communities. The next steps of the research will be to finalize the data collection and analysis and write the final report.  

Request for Proposals

Tracking Integration of Natural Assets into Municipal Asset Management Plans

1. Introduction:
The Greenbelt Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to the health and prosperity of Ontario's Greenbelt seeks proposals to complete a monitoring report assessing the progress of municipalities in southern Ontario in integrating natural assets into their asset management plans. The report will also evaluate compliance with Ontario Regulation 588/17 - Asset Management Planning for Municipal Infrastructure.

2. About the Greenbelt Foundation:
The Greenbelt Foundation stewards two million acres of protected land in Ontario's Greenbelt, supporting clean air, fresh water, climate resilience, and local food sources. In addition to its grants program which supports community and sector capacity, the Foundation undertakes evidence-based research and policy work, strategic programs and promotes the benefits of the Greenbelt through public and stakeholder engagement. By ensuring continuous, progressive investment in the Greenbelt, the Foundation nurtures a living, thriving Greenbelt for all to enjoy.

Since 2005, the Greenbelt Foundation has worked to strengthen and enhance the great success story that is Ontario’s Greenbelt. An economic powerhouse and a source of great pride for Ontarians, the Greenbelt provides over $9.6 billion dollars annually to our economy and nearly 178,000 full-time local jobs.  Permanence and certainty are critical to the Greenbelt’s ability to deliver the clean air and water, sustainable local food and recreational opportunities that allow Ontario to thrive.

Ontario’s Greenbelt in a Global Context

Written by Sara Macdonald, report co-author and Senior Research and Policy Analyst, Greenbelt Foundation; and Aleigha Kampman, Communications Coordinator Greenbelt Foundation.

The protection and enhancement of greenbelts around the world is more important than ever to the future of the adjacent cities and regions. Greenbelts Around the World Responding to Local and Global Challenges, a report published by the Greenbelt Foundation in 2022, examines how greenbelts around the world, are evolving globally to respond to current and emerging conditions. The report explores eight international case studies to identify trends, threats and opportunities for greenbelt protection and enhancement on a global level.  

Extreme Heat Study Reveals the Power of Green Spaces in Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change 

Report by the Greenbelt Foundation studies financial tools that municipalities can use to support smart growth and reduce long-term costs to ensure the continued success of the Ontario Greenbelt

TORONTO, August 23, 2023 - Extreme heat events are predicted to rise in the Greater Toronto Area from 20 days per year to 66 days per year by 2050, leading to increased risk of heat-related illnesses and mortality.  A new study Health-Informed Heat Mitigation Approach: Case Study of The Regional Municipality of York introduces a novel framework that highlights the importance of greenery cover in protecting people from heat stress and building environmental resilience to climate change. Enriching urban greenery cover is identified as a cost-effective strategy to mitigate the urban heat island effect and provide cooling benefits.