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Ontario Nature honours the Township of Uxbridge for establishing trails and natural habitats - Environmental Communication Options/Huff Strategy

Ontario Nature honours the Township of Uxbridge for establishing trails and natural habitats

Jun 14th, 2007 8:42 AM

Media Release – For Immediate Release Greenway Excellence Award acknowledges Greenbelt conservation efforts (Toronto, Ontario, June 14, 2007) – During a tour of the Greenbelt in Durham Region today, Ontario Nature presented a Greenway Excellence Award to the Township of Uxbridge for its work to conserve and protect the Greenbelt. The award was accepted by Mayor Bob Shepherd (Township of Uxbridge); Brian Buckles (Uxbridge Naturally, Uxbridge Trails Committee and Trans Canada Trail); John McCutcheon (Uxbridge Naturally, Uxbridge Trails Committee and John & Pat McCutcheon Foundation); and Michael Tucker (Uxbridge Naturally). They stopped at several locations to showcase how conservation groups, private landowners and industry are working together to secure a sustainable, economically viable Greenbelt. Highlight of the tour included: • A stop at Timber’s Pit, north of Claremont, Ontario where Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) staff discussed the ongoing reclamation project as well as the important connection that an interconnected system of protected green lands and trails can play. • The Walker Woods-Glen Major lands where Brian Buckles, Michael Tucker, and TRCA staff presented an overview and led a discussion on the “master” protected green space and trails plan linking the Rouge to the town of Uxbridge. Ontario Nature Director of Conservation Studies, Wendy Francis, also explained greenways and how the work in the area has long term influence on Greenbelt planning. • Lafarge Canada’s Regan Pit Quarry where attendees learned how aggregate pit reclamation and the potential for linking them to the natural system can play a vital role in Greenbelt habitat redevelopment. • The Beaver River Wetland and how ongoing efforts to secure properties in the wetland and the rail trail will protect various species of plants, trees and wildlife. • A tour and presentation with farm owners Ted Smith and Howie Herrema on the need to balance environmental practices and conservation with economic sustainability. “The Uxbridge Naturally program has helped to put nature conservation ahead of development when planning communities,” said Caroline Schultz, Executive Director of Ontario Nature. “If communities across Ontario demonstrated the same amount of enthusiasm, innovation and creativity toward trails and natural spaces, generations of Ontarians would be able to enjoy their native environment.” -30- 'For more information on the recipients, to arrange an interview, or for photos, please contact': Lesley Marshall, Ontario Nature, (416) 444-8419 ext. 236, lesleym(a)ontarionature.org Jonathan Laderoute, e|c|o, (416) 972-7401, laderoutej(a)huffstrategy.com Ontario Nature is a not-for profit that works to protect and restore natural habitats through research, education and conservation. It connects thousands of individuals and communities with nature through various conservation groups across the province (charitable registration # 10737 8592 RR0001). For more information, visit www.ontarionature.org