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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard_of_Directors_8_19_Greenbelt_Foundation_Delegation_2019-09-27POSITIVELY GREEN Edward McDonnell, CEO Greenbelt Foundation loo+ Priority Projects to Enhance our Greenbelt B Possibility grows here. Purpose Purpose and overview • Introduce collaborative initiative developed by the Greenbelt Foundation and 13 conservation authorities including TRCA • Secure endorsement and support for moving forward with outreach and fund proposals Overview 1. Current landscape and recent changes 2. Benefits of collaboration 3. Positively Green 4. Status and next steps 5. Branding/communications BM� Current landscape and recent changes Possibility grows here. • Ontario conservation authorities are adjusting to recent and anticipated changes to their legislation, regulations, and funding • Nonetheless a compelling opportunity exists to pursue Greenbelt restoration and climate resiliency initiatives • Government investment, while significant, has funded relatively little natural infrastructure across the region B Possibility grows here. The Greenbelt • Over 2 million acres of protected land including intact natural heritage system • Heart of the Greater Golden Horseshoe region — home to 1 in 4 Canadians • Greenbelt provides a unique Ontario solution for fresh air, clean water, local food, and thriving economies • Protects environmentally sensitive Possibility grows here. Green/Natural Infrastructure "Green infrastructure" is a broad category that includes natural assets and designed and engineered elements that have been created to mimic natural functions and processes in the service of human interests Credit MNAI G BELZ� Possibility grows here. Positively Green • Partners have been collaborating for two years to plan a Greenbelt -wide initiative: "Positively Green" • 100+ priority projects across the region directly benefiting the public, municipalities, and businesses including agriculture by focusing on: — nature's role in climate adaptation and mitigation — the Greenbelt's unparalleled environmental services �� • UXw pe}u M I � LMS. 41I� aa�e �� • UXw pe}u B Possibility grows here. Benefits of collaboration . .- .. ilo • "Bundling" of projects creates the opportunity to meet thresholds for federal and provincial programs Shared • Outreach to government officials and political representatives to raise awareness and advance engagement around our shared funding proposal. • Shared approach to accessing private and public funds not otherwise available to individual CAs and projects. • Local fundraising and municipal investment remains important, but hope is a bigger regional resiliency and restoration opportunity will appeal to major funding organizations Targeted investment in individual project needs (e.g., business case development) and ensuring knowledge transfer and practical approaches throughout the CA collaborative to facilitate work on individual projects. �m BELZ �� Possibility grows here. TRCA Positively Green Projects Foundation hopes to work with TRCA staff on municipal engagement and 2020 budget submissions. Current TRCA projects include: — Headwater tributary restoration in the Don, Rouge and Humber River watersheds; — Biodiversity enhancement and stewardship across TRCA Greenbelt watersheds — Fish barrier mitigation and habitat restoration for Atlantic salmon; and, — Brocklands Restoration pro.ect in Duffins Creek watershed to naturalize a 1000 - acre site andcreate a n �m BELZ �wo 0 0 Possibility grows here. Measurable Outcomes ✓ Watershed Health — report card indicators/ project indicators. ✓ Ecosystem Services: valuations will define economic and public benefits of restoration projects. ✓ Climate Resiliency: flooding, pollution, species loss. ✓ Biodiversity: healthy, protected cores, connectivity, species recovery. ✓ Carbon Sequestration: substantial contribution to climate mitigation. Municipalities and investors are looking for regional impacts on larger systems �m Status Possibility grows here. • The Greenbelt Foundation has: — Conducted outreach to potential partners/funders • Budget submission to the federal government • Provincial government outreach • Philanthropic and other major funders — Invested in collaborative program development, identity and branding, etc. • What/who is the funding for? — Project costs for proponents (municipalities, CAs, etc.), land securement, program administration — Conservation authority contributions will be in-kind and project -specific BEVY �� Next steps Possibility grows here. • Endorsement of Positively Green i 3 from Conservation Authority Boards 2 • The Greenbelt Foundation will 1a continue outreach and relationship 9 development 1� — Federal, provincial, private and �6 philanthropic — Next federal government • Continued work with Conservation Authority staff on project development and to engage municipalities on 2020 budget vwa�ubmiss - -2�3 k 01061111, 15 11 Possibility grows here. Branding V E L Y EIV 100+ Priority Projects to Enhance our Greenbelt Positively Green brand strikes the right tone for all audiences, and communicates the importance of the Greenbelt as natural Infrastructure. a Xm P THANK YOU emcdonnell@greenbelt.ca