2,100,000 acres protected within not only the most populous area in Canada, but one of the most important economic areas, the struggle between development and sprawl vs protection and conservation of farms, forests and fragile wetlands is a very real undertaking, and one very much beyond me. Getting to talk to Shelley Petrie of The Greenbelt Foundation about how a successful mobilization 16 years ago to protect some smaller tracts has expanded to include so much more was helpful in understanding some of the broad and focused details of what exactly the Greenbelt is and who the Greenbelt Foundation are. By supporting local farms, restoration efforts, education and work “future-proofing” in the context of climate upheaval, the Greenbelt is supporting so many people within the protected lands, but also those of us outside them on the periphery.
With a local council North of Toronto recently voting in favour of a developer’s request to redesignate 1,400 acres of Greenbelt farmland into developable lands I got to wondering if the Greenbelt can hold up against this and possible future impingements? Where do folks allow development and where do folks protect lands? What do we need to make sure that the Greater Golden Horseshoe can not only live through current and future climactic changes, but also thrive as a great place to live for everyone here and every who will be here in the future.
I see the Greenbelt in Ontario as a both visionary and pragmatic example of protecting land around these urban spaces, providing and maintaining habitat for the more-than-human world, for city dwellers like me to be able to more easily access a bit of greenspace, and for the preservation of local farmlands for growing food for the people who live near by. These protected spaces need to not only be protected and cherished, but also grown and expanded.
To learn more :
The Greenbelt Foundation website
Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership
Alderville Black Oak Savanna

Episode photo courtesy of Greenbelt Foundation