Monday, July 27, 2015

Ontario Trails News - ATV trails open in Mattawa and MNRF Habitat Restoration

News Release

Helping Communities Restore Habitats for Fish, Wildlife and Plants

Ontario Government Continues to Protect Biodiversity

Ontario is working with community groups, conservation organizations and municipalities to protect plants, forests, streams and wetlands and restore habitats for fish and wildlife.
This year, through the Land Stewardship and Habitat Restoration Program, Ontario is providing $300,000 in funding for 21 projects across the province that will help restore and rehabilitate more than 460 hectares of land and protect biodiversity.
Conservation groups, like the Lower Grand River Land Trust in Haldimand County, are using this funding to enhance wildlife habitat and improve water quality for fish, birds and turtles.
Over the past two years the Land Stewardship and Habitat Restoration Program has helped restore over 4,600 hectares of habitat, created and supported 91 jobs and provided approximately 19,200 volunteer hours for Ontarians.
Promoting and protecting biodiversity is part of the government's plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people's talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario's history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.

Quick Facts

  • The fund is available to individuals and groups, including landowners and farmers, Aboriginal communities, industries, municipalities and conservation organizations.
  • Ontario is home to over 30,000 species of plants and animals, all of which are important to the environmental, social and economic vitality of the province.

Additional Resources

Quotes

Bill Mauro
“Ontario remains committed to protecting and improving the province’s natural ecosystems by supporting communities and organizations in their conservation and habitat restoration efforts. Projects and initiatives receiving funding through this program will enhance Ontario’s biodiversity and protect our fish and wildlife.”
Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry
“The Land Stewardship Habitat Restoration Program funding is a key component of The Lower Grand River Land Trust’s efforts to improve wildlife habitat and connectivity at Ruthven Park National Historic Site; the trust’s 1500-acre property bordering the Grand River near Cayuga. With the help of local volunteers, this project will establish natural buffers for streams and wetlands that will enhance food, nesting, and shelter resources for wildlife, improve water quality through reductions in sediment and chemical inputs, and expand wildlife corridors.”
Betsy Smith
President, The Lower Grand River Land Trust


Mattawa area hits ATV ground running

Tuesday, July 14, 2015   by: BayToday.ca Staff

Photos courtesy Virgil Knapp.
Mattawa Voyageur Country Tourism Region isn't wasting any time passing bylaws to enhance its multi-use trail system.

The area has become the first Ontario Tourism Region to update and pass new by-laws approving changes to the Ontario Off-Road Vehicle Act. 

The legislation changes in Ontario came into effect on July 1st.

The update permits the use of UTV’s commonly known as Side by Sides and allows passengers to ride along with drivers on approved ATV models, on the shoulder of municipal roadways.

No comments:

Post a Comment