Environment
The Greenbelt’s natural capital delivers some $2.6 billion worth of benefits to Ontarians each year. Its forests, wetlands, meadows, grasslands and other ecosystems provide safe drinking water, prevent flooding, and enhance biodiversity. The Foundation leads on key environmental issues including:
- Funding visionary planning processes such as the new Cootes to Escarpment Park Management Plan, and a massive reforestation plan in Rouge Park
- Assisting in designing new policies to protect Lake Simcoe through timely research
- Commissions the ground breaking report by the Suzuki Foundation to quantify the value of Greenbelt eco-services
- "Greened up" the agricultural sector and encouraged farmers to be stewards of the land by funding the Environmental Farm Plan
- Supporting the Credit Valley Conservation Authority to protect and restore wetlands
- Bridging farming and hiking interests to acknowledge environmental progress and stewardship by farmers
- Entrenching public awareness of and support for the environment through the TVOKids’ “Greenbelt Adventure” reaching over 250,000 children and parents, 17 million viewers through CHUM TV’s “Greenbelt Contest” and giving out over 1 million Greenbelt Activity books through the LCBO
It’s less expensive to preserve the natural environment and the benefits it provides us, than to replace it with man-made infrastructure.
The David Suzuki Foundation Report
Cycling 101: Gearing up for the 2013 Ontario Bike Summit
Environment | May 21, 2013
Spring is finally upon us and it brings us warm weather that’s perfect for picnics, farmers’ markets and cycling. And with the 2013 Ontario Bike Summit coming up I’m becoming more and more interested in purchasing a bike and trying out one of the many cycling routes traipsing through Ontario’s greenbelt. Continue reading
Greenbelt Travels an Iconic Urban River Valley: Greenbelt Walks and Paddles the Don
Environment | May 10, 2013
On the first weekend in May, the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation travelled one of the Province’s most iconic urban river valleys by both foot and paddle: the Don River Valley. On Saturday, May 4th Foundation staff led a Jane’s Walk from Crothers’ woods to the Brickworks Farmers’ Market, covering topics from urban nature and river valley protection to local food and the importance of... Continue reading
From Refuse to Reuse: Celebrating Earth Day
Environment | April 22, 2013
In celebration of Earth Day, the Foundation made use (or should we say, reuse) of some kitchen refuse to start some local spring seedlings. With 1.6 billion coffee cups ending up in Canadian landfills annually it only makes sense to make the best of the waste that we create by giving it a second use. However, within the waste hierarchy reduce does sit higher than reuse.... Continue reading
Issue Fact Sheet
Download a copy of our Economy Fact Sheet (PDF)
Ontario’s Greenbelt is the largest and most diverse greenbelt in the world. It protects 1.8 million acres of green space, prime agricultural lands and rural communities.
Hamilton Conservation Foundation
Early Stage Implementation of Dundas Valley 50 Year Vision
Grants Made:
$50,000 - October 12, 2011
