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Ontario boasts over 80,000 km in trails. Whether you're in downtown Toronto or North of Superior, we have a trail for you. The Ontario Trails Council is a registered charity, led by volunteers who promote the development, management, use and conservation of Ontario's trails. You'll find everything from gentle walking trails to rock faces for climbing and water routes to canoe and kayak.
Showing posts with label Conservation Ontario. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Conservation Ontario. Show all posts
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Ontario Trails News - An Update from Ontario Trails 6142018
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Ontario Trails News - Heber Down reparations, and more from the Ontario Trails News Archive
Restoration of ‘abandoned’ pit at Heber Down property in Whitby complete
Repair of eroded bank and reuse of concrete debris helps enhance safety and access for visitors
Aggregate pit restoration at Heber Downs
Ryan Pfeiffer / Metroland
Whitby This Week
HOW THIS IMPACTS YOU
WHITBY -- Visitors of Heber Down Conservation Area in Whitby will now find it easier to explore the sprawling property without worrying about hazards.
The Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority recently marked the completion of the habitat restoration of an old aggregate pit in the area -- a popular destination for local residents seeking recreational opportunities close to home. At a cost of about $100,000, the Ontario Aggregate Resources Corporation repaired an eroded bank and reused concrete debris to create a safe access road to the Devil’s Den Pond, which is one of the site’s main attractions.
“We’re here today to recognize and celebrate a significant improvement to Heber Down,” said Chris Darling, CLOCA’s chief administrative officer, at the unveiling of the rehabilitated spot on Oct. 7.
“There was an area with an eroded gully where there was concrete and rebar debris ... we directed the trails away from this area but there were still people that came here and it was definitely a hazard.”
Established in 1958, CLOCA’s mandate is to create and undertake programs to promote the conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources in partnership with the Province and local municipalities. CLOCA has five conservation areas spanning more than 45 kilometres of trail and other public facilities.
The Heber Down Conservation Area (main entrance at 500 Lyndebrook Rd.) is spread out over 284 hectares with opportunities for various activities, including hiking, fishing, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. The site sees about 20,000 visitors each year.
“This area is heavily used by both recreational users as well as people who just want to come here and enjoy and appreciate nature,” said Mr. Darling.
“It’s one of the conservation areas within our watershed that’s actually pretty close to an urban setting so it’s unique in that way. It also protects a provincially significant wetland and important wildlife habitat.”
Through its Management of Abandoned Aggregate Properties program, TOARC rehabilitates pits and quarries across the province that are deemed abandoned under the Aggregate Resources Act. In reality, these former extraction sites have not been abandoned but remain the property of individuals, corporate entities and municipalities. They are typically small sites (less than two hectares), were created as the result of small-scale operations (municipal wayside pits, private use pits or intermittent commercial operations) and are generally unregulated.
“When the (Act) was put into effect back in 1990, the aggregate industry represented by the now Ontario Stone Sand and Gravel Association decided to dedicate half a cent per tonne of licence fees paid by the aggregate producer to a program responsible for rehabilitating these legacy sites,” said Danielle Solondz, program co-ordinator with TOARC.
“Based on recent levels of extraction in the province, we have about $400,000 to $600,000 made available annually for this program. In addition to rehabilitation, we also fund research with these monies that helps us figure out better ways to do rehabilitation.”
To date, MAAP has worked with landowners to rehabilitate more than 680 hectares of land at a cost of nearly $8 million -- free of charge to the landowner. In Durham, the program has rehabilitated 20 sites covering 30 hectares at a cost of $367,000.
In 2012, MAAP initiated discussions with CLOCA to develop a habitat restoration plan for the Heber Down site, particularly what was to be done with the concrete and rubble that had been deposited at the site. Construction began last year for primary exploration of the debris piles to determine the quantity of concrete that could be recycled in the access road. The project was completed this past summer.
Whitby Mayor Don Mitchell, who’s also chairman of CLOCA’s board of directors, said the biggest benefit of the restoration project is the improved access it offers members of the community. “You can now come to this area, you can access the pond, the trail and all this backdrop in a safer way and you can let your kids play in this area too,” he said.
“It was quite unsafe at the top of the hill; it was all just rebar and jagged stuff, so that’s the biggest impact because it’s a place where we want people to come and just be able to relax and enjoy themselves.”
HOW THIS IMPACTS YOU
• The newly completed habitat restoration at Heber Down Conservation Area means improved access and safety for the approximately 20,000 people who visit the site each year.
• The legacy pit was primarily in use from prior to 1971. In 1972, it was then licensed by an Oshawa construction company for five years when the licence was cancelled and the property sold to CLOCA. The habitat restoration cost The Ontario Aggregate Resources Corporation about $100,000.
• This is the second event held in Whitby recently to highlight improved access to local outdoor recreational spots. On Sept. 24, the community celebrated the completion of the Waterfront Trail at Lynde Shores, which was funded through the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport ($600,000), National Trails Coalition Grant Program ($45,000) and Shell Fueling Change ($10,000).
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Ontario Trails News - wetland and conservation act under review, Ontario Trails News Archive
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Follow the chatter on Ontario Trails |
Wetland system should be 'overhauled'
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By Kris Dube / News Editor
October 5, 2015
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FORT ERIE - Town of Fort Erie planning staff says Ontario's wetland evaluation system should be 'overhauled.'
A review of the Conservation Authorities Act is in its early stages as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry seeks input from municipalities, Aboriginal communities, conservation authorities, stakeholders and the public to address roles, responsibilities, funding and governance of conservation authorities in resource management and environmental protection.
Through the approval of a report on Monday night, the municipality will send input for the review of the Act, along with the Conservation of Wetlands in Ontario Discussion Document.
Comments staff will forward as feedback for the review fall under the categories of of governance, funding and roles and responsibilities.
Staff is recommending that all members of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority be elected municipal or regional officials and that appointees should have a four-year term, instead of three years.
There are 15 members that sit on the NPCA board – 12 members are appointed by the Regional Municipality of Niagara, two from City of Hamilton and one from Haldimand County.
Of the 15 members, 12 are elected officials and three are civilians.
Further, the NPCA is funded largely by the Region, contributing to approximately 65 per cent of the budget.
The province currently contributes to approximately 4.8 per cent of the budget.
Fort Erie planning staff also agrees that more provincial funding should be available and that it should reflect the importance of natural heritage.
Regional officials will also be sending a co-ordinated response to the province, Fort Erie senior planning staff said at Monday's meeting.
Town officials also want NPCA staff have to be given more authority to identify wetland boundaries within its geographic jurisdiction.
The complexity of natural heritage should also be reduced, according to the information contained in the report approved by council on Monday night.
Natural heritage has important impacts on community planning and development in Fort Erie, says staff in its report.
Fort Erie staff is recommending provincial changes to assist in addressing natural heritage issues, reads the conclusion of the report.
In Fort Erie, because of the wetland scoring and complexing system, marginal wetland areas, with little biodiversity are complexed and protected, according to staff.
"Some of the wetlands are in urban areas on employment lands,” reads the report in Monday's council package.
Staff says the system should reflect biodiversity, protect truly important areas, particularly in urban areas.
Friday, September 18, 2015
Ontario Trails News - Healthy Hikes, Conservation Ontario, Conservation Act and more about Ontario's trails
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Find and use your favorite today!
Please consider supporting our work
Please consider making a donation or taking out a membership today! We rely on the generous support of the Canadian trail community to allow us to do our work. Our Mission - to promote the preservation, management, use and development of trails.  Everyday, somewhere in Ontario we educate, support a group, lead or assist a community improving its quality of life through trails.Thanks Need Funding? - Here's a list of where to turn Often we hear from trail groups - most recently TRCA, G2G, Elgin County and Lennox and Addington who want to develop trails, but there is no strategic or business plan in place. Most grants develop programs and services or fund service provision. We want to hear from you - where did you get funding for your strategic plan for your trails? Could include master plan or other plans that involve trails. Thanks. 613-484-1140 execdir@ontariotrails.ca
National Trails Coalition - infrastructure (closed) - but reviewing their grant app would get your docs prepped for a different application
Ontario Trillium Foundation - 4 streams, including capital
There are a number of provincial grant applications you could explore but you have to be registered with the Grants Ontario System to see the applications by Ministry - closed till next round - see the website for more details.
MEDIE - has a stream - more for eco development, and the Invest in Ontario Funds - I might suggest regional funding streams includes Southern Ontario Prosperity and NOHFC programs
Also the Federal Enabling Accessibility Fund - Eligible Grant Recipients Include:
Not-for-profit organizations; Small businesses; Aboriginal organizations (including band councils, tribal councils and self-government entities); Territorial governments; and, Municipalities are eligible to submit an application only for projects that deliver activities under Priority #1 (enhancing access to recreational spaces for children with disabilities).
Indigenous Peoples Aboriginal Economic Development Fund - grant stream
Great Lakes Guardian Fund - Grants are available for projects that take place in Ontario within the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin. This includes: Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, the Ottawa River, their connecting channels, and their watersheds. This guide includes a map to help you identify your watershed. https://www.ontario.ca/page/great-lakes-guardian-community-fund#section-7
There are other infrastructure grants you could pursue through the relationships you have with the County - they can use gas tax surplus for infrastructure grants -
Cycling Funds CycleON Strategy
Building cycling infrastructure is important in helping us achieve the vision of #CycleON: Ontario's Cycling Strategy: Ontario as a great place to ride a bike.
http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2015/04/ontario-investing-25-million-in-cycling-infrastructure.html
http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2015/07/applications-for-funding-to-promote-cycling-now-open.html
OMAFRA also offers a long list - you'll have to pick a stream and discuss with a program manager
Support the Kinghorn Trail Development Last fall we started an audit of the rail corridor. This audit captures the good, the bad and the ugly. Using the latest trail auditing software, we are able to capture all the issues that need to be fixed prior to opening the trail. We will finish the audit in the spring for the full length of the line. Please support us in building this legacy trail along Lake Superior. Even a small donation adds up and supports the capital required to upgrade the corridor for Northwestern Ontario's only rail trail!  We have plans to upgrade the railbed surface to accommodate trail users like cyclists, hikers, summer motorized use and snowmobiles in the winter months. As a full multi-use trail, we will be able to keep the trail in the public domain for future generations to enjoy. The rail line doesn't stop at Nipigon but then turns north towards Greenstone. There has been some interest in discussing this as an option but conversations need to occur. Please support this legacy project as we create an amazing trail alongside Lake Superior - the great inland sea. Healthy Hikes Program!  |
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Ontario Trails News, many trails in Ontario Conservation Areas, congratulations Saugeen Conservation!
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Learn more about our supporter - Conservation OntarioForest Donated To Saugeen Conservation BlackburnNews.com image
A large piece of property south of Kincardine is changing hands.
A total of 100 acres of forested land has been donated to Saugeen Conservation from the Martyn Family from the Pine River area.
The donation was made in memory of Donald ‘Murray’ Martyn. The property has been in the Martyn family since 1852.
Jim Penner, Manager of Forestry with Saugeen Conservation says this 100 acre property is a haven for local wildlife because of its size and the fact that it’s one of the few larger forested properties in the Pine River Watershed.
Saugeen Conservation will erect a special sign on the property in recognition of the generosity of the Martyn Family.
Luke Charbonneau, Chair of Saugeen Conservation, stated, “This is an exceptional property in that it is entirely forested. Only approximately 7 per cent of the Pine River Watershed is forested. To have a piece of property within this watershed, entirely forested, is a real gift”.
Murray’s daughters remember planting trees on the property when they were young girls. “My dad was always an outdoorsman”, stated Mary, one of his daughters. “He took great pleasure in the planning and planting of thousands of seedlings. Over the years he spent many happy hours wandering the property, planting additional native species and making note of the increasing wildlife.”
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