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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRegional Watershed Alliance #4_18 Evolving Approach to Natural Heritage 14-11-2018TRCA's Evolving Approach to Natural Heritage Planning Presented by: Noah Gaetz Senior Manager, Research and Knowledge Management Nov 14, 2018 Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Presentation Outline 1. Overview of the RKM team 2. A history of TRCAs approach to Natural Heritage Planning 3. Updating the Natural Heritage System The information contained in this presentation is copyright © Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 2 Research and Knowledge Management • Located within the Watershed Strategies Adapt Plan Division of TRCA • Expertise in the application of ecosystem science, urban sustainability and hydrology. • Mandate: Produce and share the best available ecosystem science and urban sustainability knowledge to support TRCA and municipal programs, initiatives and objectives. rAdaptive Management Learn Monitor A• Select projects • Stream crossing guidelines • Technical expertise to support watershed planning, SNAPS, etc. • Wetland water balance guidelines • Urban forest studies Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 1 3 Natural Heritage Planning — 1980s, and 1990s • Identification and protection of Significant Natural Features • Early Provincial Policy Statements • TRCA developed our Environmentally Significant Areas Program Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 4 Natural Heritage Planning — early 2000s • Natural Heritage System Planning became established • Recognized in updated PPS and many other Provincial Plans • TRCA developed our Terrestrial Natural Heritage System Strategy • Municipalities identified natural systems in their OPs Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 5 TRCAs Terrestrial Natural Heritage System • Supported municipal partners • Informed provincial and other CA initiatives related to NHS • Informed TRCA operations including: • Watershed planning • Land use and EA planning • Restoration planning • Land management • Land acquisition Natural Heritage Planning — Today • Considers how the entire landscape can contribute to biodiversity • Green Infrastructure • Climate change vulnerabilities • Assessing co -benefits Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 7 Natural Heritage Planning — Today Natural Grcenv ays Open spaces ..... .. .. ...... Urban ............ ............ Green ............. I............ ..... Tree Campy Streets c+ace Stormwater Deylighted Detention stroams Hadgeruws t ......... - Wddlite .. .................. .... .. ..... Overpass" ........ neoiun 6 Pollinator Natural Community Green Roots Gartlan Sioswales Landscaping Gardens .. ..... .. ..... .. .. Green infrastructure opportunities across the urban landscape Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 1 8 Ecosystem service valuation • Quantifying the value of the services an ecosystem provides (monetary or other) • Supported by an expanding body of research • Can be very effective in supporting decisions • Caution is needed Environment Supporting or a intermediate services Biophysical structure or process (e.g. woodland, wetland, tree) Limit pressures via policy action? I E Pressures Function (e.g. species movement, water infiltration) Final ■I Goods and Benefits services Source: Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES) jhabitat , Fand-ente.1,t.t,1 Value iswillingness to pay, avoidance cost, market& no values) Source: Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES) Updating the Natural Heritage System Why an update is needed: • To utilise updated science, data and analytical capacity • To account for climate change vulnerabilities • To assess the co -benefits of the natural system • To recognize and respond to the updated provincial plans • To support our municipal partners land use planning needs • To inform TRCAs corporate strategies and initiatives Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 1 10 Natural Heritage System — phased approach Phase I TRCA Internal consultation Municipal / provincial NHS consolidation Terrestrial climate change vulnerability incorporation Application opportunities Phase II Terrestrial ecosystem needs: current & future scenarios (land use & climate) Aquatic ecosystem & hydrological linkages: current & future scenarios (landuse & climate) Phase III Co -benefits for other ES rapid assessment TRCA updated NHS development with management options (& local applications) Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 11 Updating the Natural Heritage System Application opportunities: • Supporting our municipal partners in land use planning and conformity requirements • Supporting watershed and sub -watershed planning • Informing TRCA's corporate strategies and initiatives Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 112 Future engagement with RWA • The RWA will be kept informed of progress on the update and will be asked to provide feedback at key points during the process • The Greenspace and Ecosystem Services Working Group consider integrating the natural heritage update into their work plan • RWA will be informed of future municipal consultation, which will be coordinated with watershed planning and Municipal comprehensive review processes. Toronto and Region Conservation Authority 13 Thank You r,��u •. Toronto and Region Conservation Authority