John Holland speaking at the Eileen and John Holland Nature Sanctuary opening. Credit: Conservation Halton/NFinney.

On May 30, 2014, approximately 70 Burlington residents and local politicians gathered to honour John Holland, a local businessman, at the unveiling of a new nature sanctuary in West Burlington.

The Eileen and John Holland Nature Sanctuary, a beautiful and largely untouched 37-acre property, was donated by the Holland family to the City of Burlington. It now becomes a jewel in the crown that is the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System, as an area of national significance for plants and animals within the Greenbelt, and as one of the last unspoiled spots left between Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment.

Susan and I joined the student artists at Bruce Junior Public School along with artist Katherine Laco, Ranger Aidan, and Helen Mills.

The health of Toronto's urban environment is inextricably connected to its surrounding landscape. About forty significant rivers and streams flow south from their headwaters in the Oak Ridges Moraine, serving as wildlife corridors for plants and animals. I like to think of these river corridors as the arteries of the landscape, providing fresh air and clean water, and pumping life into every corner of the Greenbelt.

Agriculture in Durham region.

The natural landscape of Durham invites you to explore the spectacular lake views and walk in its beautiful conservation areas. Whether the Ganaraska Forest or the Rouge Park, you are surrounded by nature that invites you to enjoy the outdoors. But Durham is more than just a spectacular landscape.  

One of our own market bucks! Buk buk buk buk...

I always anticipate the arrival of spring since I cannot wait for farmers’ markets to open. I love exploring what farmers’ markets have to offer and then cooking with fresh, local ingredients. Farmers’ markets provide an opportunity to enjoy the bounty of the region and to get to know the people who grow our food. They are also a way to support the local economy and to reduce the carbon footprint of our food by reducing the distance it has to travel. And the best news is that more and more farmers’ markets are cropping up, which makes it easier for us to buy local food even closer to home. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 2, 2014

Ontario Farmers’ Markets Celebrate Buying Local with Free Market Bucks

TD and the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation
Support Ontario Markets

With the support of $25,000 from TD Bank Group, the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation will help connect TD’s loyal customers with their neighbourhood farmers’ market by giving away free Market Bucks to purchase fresh, local food for their family. Each Market Buck is redeemable for $5 worth of merchandise at select local markets.

May 2014 Newsletter

Greenbelt Harvest Picnic (woo!), cycling our calves off, and a big thank you to the leaders in our conservation authorities.

This month's newsletter features:

• Greenbelt Harvest Picnic Early Bird Tickets
• Cycling the Greenbelt Route
• Greenbelt Walks the Humber and Paddles the Don
• Thank You To Our CA Leaders
• And more... !

Truth be told, I really like riding my bike.  I like it so much that I have spent nearly a cumulative year of my life on cycling holidays, and in the first week of May I had the pleasure of adding one more feather to my cycling cap.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014 

TORONTO, Ont. – Celebrate Ontario’s inaugural Local Food Week at the Brewers Plate on Wednesday, June 4, an indulgent evening featuring unlimited sampling of a menu inspired by partnerships between renowned local food chefs and Ontario Craft Brewers. Now in its seventh year, this charitable event has been established as a memorable toast and thank you to the province’s brewers and farmers.

Recently, the Greenbelt Farmers' Market Network got together to publish a guide on food labelling. The result is an informative print brochure that breaks down all the language that typically floods food talk.

On May 26, 2014, we will be hosting a Tweetup to build support for our #LoveTheRavines campaign. Urban planners, community activists, environmentalists, and the public will come together for a discussion on the future of Toronto's ravines.

Sounds interesting... What is the #LoveTheRavines campaign?

In September 2013, with partners including Environmental Defence, Toronto Environmental Alliance, Dot Dot Dash, and Patagonia, we launched Love the Ravines, a social media campaign aimed at getting Toronto in love with the city's unique and internationally-renowned ravines. Although many people walk, bike, drive or TTC through and over the ravines every day, few of us are aware of what they do for the city, or that they face a number of challenges.