Near-Urban Nature Network: A Solution to Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss

Near-urban nature is comprised of the forests, river valleys, wetlands, savannahs, and other ecological features that surround and intersect our communities. This nature is critical to the health and well-being of all life in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, and is one of our greatest resources for adapting to climate change. While we often look to protect wilderness areas farther afield, southern Ontario is one of the most biodiverse regions in Canada providing direct and irreplaceable ‘ecosystem services’ like flood protection and water/air filtration to the country’s largest concentration of communities and people.

While we often look to protect wilderness areas farther afield, southern Ontario is one of the most biodiverse regions in Canada—providing direct and irreplaceable eco-services to the country’s largest concentration of communities and people.”

Rising to Meet the Challenge

Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Government of Ontario have supported the Greenbelt Foundation in convening the Southern Ontario Nature Coalition (SONC) to outline actions needed to create a Near-Urban Nature Network in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The network will consist of multiple, cores of natural areas protected and connected within broader ecological and hydrological corridors.

Building on the Greenbelt and addressing the need for multi-faceted outcomes in urban areas, SONC identified the following opportunities:

1. Opportunities for Meaningful Indigenous Collaboration and Leadership
2. Opportunities for Increasing Protection of Natural Cores and Corridors
3. Opportunities for Restoring Natural Infrastructure for Climate Resilience and Greenspace
4. Opportunities for Stewardship and Public Engagement

Project Significance

Canada’s federal and provincial governments support the protection of ecosystems, landscapes and biodiversity. As a member of the global High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, Canada has committed to protecting 25 per cent of its lands and waters by 2025 to set the stage for 30 per cent of by 2030.

Urbanizing regions requires actions beyond traditional protection measures. A Near-Urban Nature Network Strategy will:

• Address threats to biodiversity in southern Ontario.
• Identify solutions to protect near-urban nature at an increased rate.
• Help realize nature’s full public contributions to community health, prosperity, and climate resilience.
• Respect Indigenous communities as land right’s holders and amplify Indigenous Knowledge Systems and leadership.
• Enable greater action by municipal governments and private landowners, including agricultural landowners.
• Promote voluntary innovative community action.
• Initiate a pan-Canadian conversation about protecting near urban biodiversity.

Partners

The Southern Ontario Nature Coalition (SONC) is a group of experienced provincial, regional, and community-based conservation organizations, land-based policy experts, and Indigenous consultants. The Coalition is committed to engaging Indigenous communities in accordance with community protocols and the development of ethical space for all to contribute meaningfully.

Financial Support

This project was undertaken with the financial support of

The Greenbelt Foundation is a non-partisan independent registered charity. While our Foundation receives funding from the Government of Ontario to support stewardship of the Greenbelt, such support does not indicate endorsement by the Government of Ontario of the contents of the program.