Fostering Stewardship and Conservation within the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System
$156,405 (Two years)
rbg.ca

The project addresses habitat fragmentation and promotes the long-term ecological viability of the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System by improving conservation on privately-owned lands mapped as part of the Park Vision. Royal Botanical Gardens will collaborate with the Hamilton Halton Watershed Stewardship Program to inform 200 property owners on opportunities for land stewardship and protection; and, connect directly with a smaller group of landowners to offer technical and fundraising support for conservation actions.

Roots of the Greenbelt Phase II
$39,000 (One year)
ontarionature.org

The project builds support among the public and municipal leaders for natural heritage systems planning in the Greenbelt. Ontario Nature will reach out to select municipalities to promote greater uptake of progressive municipal policies such as those highlighted in the Best Practices Guide to Natural Heritage Systems Planning developed in Phase I of the project.

Headwater Hikes in the Greenbelt
$22,550 (One year)
ohwi.ca

The Ontario Headwaters Institute will develop ten headwater hikes in the Greenbelt. The hikes will look to improve public understanding of the important role of these features in the health of the Greenbelt’s biodiversity and downstream watersheds.

Destination - Greenbelt East!
$52,000 (One year)
natureconservancy.ca

As a way of broadening awareness and deepening support for the Greenbelt in Northumberland County, the Nature Conservancy and Alderville First Nations will host workshops for conservationists, guided public tours, school outings, and a Greenbelt Prairie Day in the Rice Lake Plains area. With the First Nation’s Ecology Centre as the project “hub”, the partners will also connect with private landowners to encourage stewardship on their lands; and, with public landowners and community partners to help promote the Greenbelt. 

Celebrity Luncheon
$20,000 (Two years)
grapegrowersofontario.com

The Grape Growers of Ontario’s Celebrity Luncheon is the official kickoff event to the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival, and is a celebration of locally grown Greenbelt food and VQA Ontario wines. This event enables growers, industry partners and consumers to connect the land to the table, with VQA wines and a Greenbelt-grown menu.

Achieving Wetland Restoration Through an Environmental Benefits Index
$40,000 (18 months)
creditvalleyca.ca

Wetlands are the most ecologically beneficial features on the Greenbelt and their restoration can greatly enhance its natural capital. This project will develop and test an Environmental Benefits Index for wetlands in the Greenbelt that will allow users to determine the environmental and social benefits of individual restoration projects. These scores can be used to prioritize restoration and land securement projects and to allocate funding for cost-share stewardship. 

Greenbelt Foundation staff at our annual staff retreat

Over the years, the environmental movement has consisted primarily of white, middle class folks and hasn’t really reflected the Canadian diaspora of multicultural backgrounds. This has led to criticism that the movement is exclusive and not prepared to build diversity into its work.

For Immediate Release 

July 25, 2014 

Countryside Stewardship Connection

Do you want to connect with the Credit River watershed’s rural community? Do you want to share success stories, discuss issues, and learn about countryside living and the environment? Are you looking for expert advice on caring for your land and water?

Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) and the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation introduce a brand new online discussion forum called the Countryside Stewardship Connection. The Connection allows rural landowners, community groups, environmental agencies and local businesses to network with each other and CVC in a new and exciting way.

"My well isn't up to standard; is there any funding to help me upgrade it?"

"I think I have a problem with invasive species on my property, HELP!"  

"Check out the grasslands in my backyard. I’ve seen a breeding pair of Bobolink hanging around!" 

These are the types of things rural landowners in the Credit River watershed will be posting on Credit Valley Conservation's new online discussion forum.

For the full report, please visit bpba.ca.

In September 2012, the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association initiated a project to develop a Community Conservation and Stewardship Plan for the Bruce Peninsula through funding from the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation. This project has brought together the vast local knowledge and expertise of the community to better understand the Bruce Peninsula’s biodiversity and the critical environmental issues it faces. It has provided a forum for community dialogue and learning, leading to a strategic, place-based action plan to protect, restore and benefit from the region's biodiversity. The full version of the plan is not yet released. 

Please visit bpba.ca for updates and full report.