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Working together to save our natural heritage

Site discussion at Speyside Woods about property management with staff from the Bruce Trail Association, the Ontario Heritage Trust, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Conservation Halton (Photo: Eric Boysen, Ministry of Natural Resources)

Photo: Site discussion at Speyside Woods about property management with staff from the Bruce Trail Association, the Ontario Heritage Trust, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Conservation Halton (Photo: Eric Boysen, Ministry of Natural Resources)

By

Tony Buszynski

Natural heritage

Published Date: May 25, 2006

With ongoing development pressures for housing, roads and commercial and industrial activities in Ontario, natural heritage protection has become more critical than ever before in order to sustain biodiversity, human health and outdoor recreation. No single organization can ensure the necessary natural heritage protection and land stewardship on its own – sharing of resources is required to make it happen. The Ontario Heritage Trust must rely on an array of partnerships at many levels. Fortunately, the Trust is in a unique position to bring these various groups together to achieve this unified goal.

The Trust partners with provincial ministries to establish land acquisition and stewardship programs that, together with other conservation bodies, secure and protect natural heritage lands. The Niagara Escarpment Land Acquisition and Stewardship Program, run co-operatively with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), is a past example of a successful partnership. Currently, the Trust is responsible for delivering the $6-million Natural Spaces Land Acquisition and Stewardship Program in co-operation with MNR and other Ontario-based conservation organizations.

The Natural Spaces initiative, involving non-public and public conservation partners, will help identify the priorities for natural heritage acquisition in southern Ontario – where development pressures are most keenly felt. This strategic approach to identifying broad areas of key natural heritage lands will help to focus limited resources on natural heritage properties that are in critical need of protection.

The Trust’s other partners include conservation authorities, natural heritage organizations, municipalities, private land trusts, nature groups and others. Private lands are acquired in conjunction with a partner organization with property title being held by the Trust. The partners then assume the long-term property stewardship. Hence, natural heritage properties across the province receive stewardship attention by people living nearby – the same people who care about these properties and want to make a difference.

Over 95 per cent of the Trust’s natural heritage portfolio is stewarded through partnerships with local conservation organizations. For example, the Trust has a long-standing partnership with the Bruce Trail Association (BTA) to help achieve the dream of securing the Bruce Trail. The Trust holds title to over 100 properties along the Bruce Trail. These properties are stewarded by local clubs and the BTA’s dedicated volunteers.

Private landowners continue to make a difference. Many have been quietly stewarding and protecting their lands – in some cases, for generations. These individuals sometimes donate their lands to conservation agencies, such as the Trust, or allow conservation easements to be placed on their properties. Either way, they strive to ensure that their lands remain protected in perpetuity.

When people and organizations work together co-operatively, great things can happen. More natural heritage land will be secured faster through effective partnerships and the sharing of resources. The long-term effect of these combined efforts is sustained biodiversity and an improved quality of life for all.

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