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10 Reasons to Explore

Just photos and thoughts of exploring the wonders of Ontario's Greenbelt should be incentive enough to get up and go! But if you need more reasons, here's 10 good ones!

10 Reasons to Explore Greenbelt's Green Space

1. Canoeing and Kayaking

Whether you have boats in your blood or you’re a complete beginner, there are many organizations that will make your paddling dreams come true.

2. Hiking

What could be better than spending a day tramping through the Greenbelt’s seemingly endless trails? In addition to the great exercise, there’s always a chance you’ll see all kinds of beautiful – and maybe even rare – flora and fauna.
The Bruce Trail Conservancy
The Oak Ridges Trail Association
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Hike Ontario
Trans Canada Trail Ontario

3. Camping

Feel at one with the world around you – grab a tent and check out which parks have campsites where you can discover your inner explorer.

4. Bird Watching

Many areas in the Greenbelt are host to a multitude of species, both common and rare. Pack some binoculars, your knowledge of birdsongs and some patience and become an avian expert.

5. Biking

Discover the exhilaration of hardcore mountain biking or take the more leisurely route and pedal your way along sunlit country roads and certain trails (check with the conservation authority to ensure biking is allowed on the trail you have chosen).

6. Trail Riding

The Greenbelt covers Ontario’s horse country, with a number of horse-friendly trails, so throw on some riding boots and spend a few hours exploring the countryside from a different perspective.

7. Photography

Stunning landscapes, vibrant greenery, and creatures galore – don’t forget to bring a camera!

8. Dog Walking

Is your four-legged friend tired of the same old route? Then get out of your neighbourhood and give your pooch something to wag his tail about.

9. Cross Country and Downhill Skiing

The trails may be covered in snow, but that doesn’t mean they should be forgotten for the winter. Strap on a pair of skis and discover your own winter wonderland.

10. Running

Is hard concrete starting to make your joints complain? Then get off the beaten track and take your run out onto one of the Greenbelt’s many trails.

 

The Greenbelt Foundation is

  • Successfully merging social welfare initiatives with environmental concerns

  • Funding research and analysis on greenbelts around the globe which concluded that Ontario’s Greenbelt is the most robust in the world, with a strong legal and policy framework

  • Supporting the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance to foster strong Greenbelt Plan implementation at the municipal level

  • Contributing to greater sales of Greenbelt wines at the LCBO

  • Hosting the successful Tour de Greenbelt to promote Ontario’s Greenbelt as a tourism destination

  • Engaged Hamilton schools to switch to Greenbelt food for their students

  • Contributing $2.65 million to Greenbelt farmers to improve their operations (leveraging millions of dollars from federal sources), and to employ the opportunities of the Green Energy Act

  • Participating strategically in growing the Greenbelt by working with Toronto, Peel, Halton, and Guelph

  • Supporting food policy council in Durham to create food charter

  • Increasing amount of Greenbelt food in food share program 140%

  • Funding visionary planning processes such as the new Cootes to Escarpment Park Management Plan, and a massive reforestation plan in Rouge Park

  • Bringing thousands of Ontarians out into the Greenbelt each year through grantee activities and the Annual Tour de Greenbelt cycling event

  • Creating a network of Farmer’s Markets to help improve our local food economy

  • Supporting the Credit Valley Conservation Authority to protect and restore wetlands

  • Providing grants and support to significantly increase sales at farmers’ markets

  • Building a local food economy from developing new markets to enhancing distribution channels

  • Assisting in designing new policies to protect Lake Simcoe through timely research

  • Engaging with over 170 million Ontarians directly through our marketing, events and communications activities

  • Supporting changing the City of Toronto policy to adopt a local food purchasing bylaw for city facilities

  • Partnering with Harbourfront Centre to tell the story of Ontario’s Greenbelt to 12 million people via a year-long, outdoor photography exhibit

  • Creating Greenbeltfresh.ca, the leading electronic marketplace to source local, Greenbelt foods from over 600 producers

  • Enhancing Farmers’ Markets, increasing sales for farmers in the Greenbelt and beyond

  • Identifying barriers to opening markets for Greenbelt farmers and proposing solutions

  • Reaching over 75 million by placing 220 permanent highway and regional road signs to ensure Ontarians and visitors know about this valuable protected area

  • Supporting the development of multi-cultural crops and training new Canadian Farmers

  • Convincing Peel school boards to buy Greenbelt food for students

  • Developing a successful culinary tourism platform for Niagara

  • Bridging farming and hiking interests to acknowledge environmental progress by farmers

  • Supporting tourism initiatives including in the Niagara and Caledon areas

  • Supporting interested Greenbelt Farmers to Go Organic

  • Securing local food procurement commitments for Peel, U of T. City of Toronto Facilities and Markham

  • Funding policy changes to encourage more local food to be sold in Durham

  • Funding the Holland Marsh Growers’ transition from an export, commodity focus to one that serves the local market with value- added products

  • Hosted the first ever Global Greenbelts Conference in Toronto in March 2011 with speakers and delegates from over nine countries

  • Supporting the creation of an award-winning Greenbelt granola bar

  • Securing local food procurement commitments for Peel schools, City of Toronto, City of Markham and others

  • Supporting the creation of new multi-cultural crops and development of ethnic local food guides in Toronto and York Region

  • Supporting development of action plans for a variety of agricultural areas and commodities

 
Learn more about what the Greenbelt Foundation has done for you »

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