Georgina Harvest Dinner 2015
Georgina Harvest Dinner
$2,000 (1 year)
ontarioculinary.com

The Georgina Harvest Dinner brings the community together to celebrate abundance in the Greenbelt by sharing locally grown meals. Guests will discover what regional farmers are growing in our own backyard, while supporting local farmers and businesses. Our funding goes towards sourcing and purchasing food from Greenbelt farmers. 

Growing the Greenbelt into Toronto
Toronto Environmental Alliance
$65,000  (1 year)
torontoenvironment.org

The project continues Toronto Environmental Alliance’s (TEA) work to include Toronto’s urban river valleys in the Greenbelt. TEA will use the opportunities created by the City of Toronto’s Ravine Strategy, and the 2015 Review of the Greenbelt Plan, to build support for protecting and enhancing the urban river valleys along their full length. TEA will engage its membership in the second round of public consultations for the 2015 Review and continue playing a leadership role in the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance. 

Greenbelt Growth Supporting a Successful 2015 Review
Sierra Club Canada Foundation
$65,000  (1 year)
ontario.sierraclub.ca

The project continues Sierra Club’s work to grow the Greenbelt into urban river valleys and headwater areas in Peel, Durham and Niagara Regions. Sierra Club will work through its local chapters to build grassroots and municipal support for growing the Greenbelt. The organization will also mobilize its members to participate in the 2015 Review and continue to play a leadership role in the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance.

Cultivating New Opportunities for Farm Access to Public Greenbelt Lands via New Models of Land Trust Collaboration
Ontario Farmland Trust
$20,000 (1 year)
ontariofarmlandtrust.ca

The project supports local agriculture within the Greenbelt by improving access to publicly-held farmland for new farmers. Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT) will work with land trust partners, Ontario Heritage Trust and Bruce Trail Conservancy, to conduct a pilot study in the Greenbelt researching the feasibility and financial sustainability of different models to improve access to publicly-held farmland.

Strengthen and Grow the Greenbelt During the 2015 Review
Environmental Defence
$150,000 (1 year)
environmentaldefence.ca

Environmental Defence will continue to support and coordinate the participation of the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance (OGA) and the Municipal Leaders for the Greenbelt in the 2015 Review. These groups will build support for stronger farmland and environmental protection, respond to proposed amendments to the Greenbelt Plan, and promote smarter growth by communicating the costs of sprawl and the benefits of compact communities. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 11, 2015

FUNDING ANNOUNCED FOR CREDIT VALLEY TRAIL

Greenbelt Foundation Earmarks $100,000 for Trail’s Master Plan

Credit Valley Conservation is receiving support from the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation to develop a plan for a 110-kilometre hiking trail along the Credit River.

With a $100,000 grant from the Foundation, Credit Valley Conservation, partnering with the Credit Valley Heritage Society, will bring to life a 60-year old vision of a connected pedestrian corridor. Stretching from the river’s headwaters in the Greenbelt outside of Orangeville, through the urban river valleys of Peel, the trail will end at the mouth of the river in Lake Ontario, not far from Port Credit.

Stronger Laws, Stronger Landscape and a Stronger Legacy for the Oak Ridges Moraine and Greenbelt
EcoSpark
$85,000 (one year)
ecospark.ca

The project continues the collaborative efforts of the Oak Ridges Moraine Partnership (EcoSpark, Earthroots, Ontario Nature and STORM) to strengthen protection of the Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine. During the 2015 Review, the Partnership will work towards improving environmental protection policies in the Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine Plans; extending the natural heritage and agricultural systems of the Greenbelt to a regional scale; call for hard urban boundaries and smarter urban growth; and ensure a strong Greenbelt legacy through public support, monitoring and stewardship.

Credit Valley Trail Master Plan
Credit Valley Conservation Foundation
$100,000 (2 years)
creditvalleyca.ca

Credit Valley Conservation will work with partners, including the Credit Valley heritage Society, to develop a Master Plan for the Credit Valley Trail. When complete, the Trail will extend 90 km from the Credit River’s headwaters in Orangeville to its mouth at Lake Ontario. The Trail Master Plan will plan an optimal route, assess tourism opportunities, identify land securement priorities and points of interest, and build support for the Credit Valley Trail and the Greenbelt among the general public and municipalities along the route.

Have you ever enjoyed the Don Valley ravines or the Credit River in beautiful weather? Do you take the opportunity to enjoy nature, walk with pets, friends, and family in Oakville’s Sixteen Mile Creek, experiencing an oasis away from your busy life? How about canoeing or kayaking along the Humber River, or feeling miles away protected under a tree canopy while birds chirp among you?

In January 2013, the Ontario Government announced the expansion of the Greenbelt for the first time since 2005. It included the Glenorchy Conservation Area expansion of 265 hectares of land, as well as a new "Urban River Valleys Designation". With moments that these natural areas provide, it’s no wonder we want the Greenbelt to keep expanding.

Tales from Durham is a blog series focused on the people and places that make Durham’s Greenbelt great. The series will cover everything from local businesses, to seasonal events, to life on Durham farms. Look out for our upcoming posts to stay up-to-date and informed on exciting going-ons in Durham's Greenbelt. 

On a Saturday afternoon in August, I sat among a crowd of over 600 waiting anxiously to hear the results. Armed with Tyrone Mill’s delicious homemade donuts, we were prepared for any outcome. Then they announced it, Durham Region had broken the Guinness World-Record for the longest picnic table!