A new report released by the David Suzuki Foundation and Ontario Nature provides insight into the billions of benefits that Ontario's Greenbelt provides.
From economic savings to protection of wildlife and their habitats, the report gives a comprehensive look at the Greenbelt's natural capital.
The full report is available below. To read the press release, click here
Supporting development of action plans for a variety of agricultural areas and commodities
Reaching over 75 million by placing 220 permanent highway and regional road signs to ensure Ontarians and visitors know about this valuable protected area
Increasing amount of Greenbelt food in food share program 140%
Developing a successful culinary tourism platform for Niagara
Creating a network of Farmer’s Markets to help improve our local food economy
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 changing the City of Toronto policy to adopt a local food purchasing bylaw for city facilities
Engaging with over 170 million Ontarians directly through our marketing, events and communications activities
Securing local food procurement commitments for Peel schools, City of Toronto, City of Markham and others
Convincing Peel school boards to buy Greenbelt food for students
Supporting the creation of an award-winning Greenbelt granola bar
Assisting in designing new policies to protect Lake Simcoe through timely research
Bridging farming and hiking interests to acknowledge environmental progress by farmers
Bringing thousands of Ontarians out into the Greenbelt each year through grantee activities and the Annual Tour de Greenbelt cycling event
Hosted the first ever Global Greenbelts Conference in Toronto in March 2011 with speakers and delegates from over nine countries
Supporting the creation of new multi-cultural crops and development of ethnic local food guides in Toronto and York Region
Supporting food policy council in Durham to create food charter
Hosting the successful Tour de Greenbelt to promote Ontario’s Greenbelt as a tourism destination
Securing local food procurement commitments for Peel, U of T. City of Toronto Facilities and Markham
Successfully merging social welfare initiatives with environmental concerns
Enhancing Farmers’ Markets, increasing sales for farmers in the Greenbelt and beyond
Providing grants and support to significantly increase sales at farmers’ markets
Engaged Hamilton schools to switch to Greenbelt food for their students
Supporting interested Greenbelt Farmers to Go Organic
Funding visionary planning processes such as the new Cootes to Escarpment Park Management Plan, and a massive reforestation plan in Rouge Park
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
Funding policy changes to encourage more local food to be sold in Durham
Contributing to greater sales of Greenbelt wines at the LCBO
Supporting tourism initiatives including in the Niagara and Caledon areas
Supporting the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance to foster strong Greenbelt Plan implementation at the municipal level
Partnering with Harbourfront Centre to tell the story of Ontario’s Greenbelt to 12 million people via a year-long, outdoor photography exhibit
Participating strategically in growing the Greenbelt by working with Toronto, Peel, Halton, and Guelph
Identifying barriers to opening markets for Greenbelt farmers and proposing solutions
Building a local food economy from developing new markets to enhancing distribution channels
Supporting the development of multi-cultural crops and training new Canadian Farmers
Creating Greenbeltfresh.ca, the leading electronic marketplace to source local, Greenbelt foods from over 600 producers
Funding the Holland Marsh Growers’ transition from an export, commodity focus to one that serves the local market with value- added products
Supporting the Credit Valley Conservation Authority to protect and restore wetlands
May marks the beginning of the farmers’ market season. Your weekly market starts up, familiar faces reappear, and your neighbourhood is reenergized after the long winter months. To make sure...
Read more from our Blog »Dufferin Wellington Peel: total economic impact of Greenbelt ag, forestry, fishing rec & tourism = +$493M http://t.co/dMqj9cnI @TownofErin about 12 hours ago
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