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New addition to the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail opened to the public - Environmental Communication Options/Huff Strategy

New addition to the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail opened to the public

Oct 3rd, 2008 6:33 AM

Media Release New addition to the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail opened to the public Ontario Nature says section is an historic bridge between the Moraine and the Niagara Escarpment (Palgrave, Ontario, October 3, 2008) Today, representatives from Ontario Nature and the Oak Ridges Trail Association gathered with politicians and supporters to celebrate the latest addition to the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail. The 5 kilometre section is located within the village of Palgrave and the Palgrave Forest and Wildlife area about an hour northwest of Toronto. "This 5-kilometre addition represents an important link as we work to extend the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail towards the Niagara Escarpment," said Harold Sellers, Executive Director of the Oak Ridges Trail Association. "It will help Ontarians explore the unique beauty contained within the Oak Ridges Moraine and the Bruce Trail, all the way from Rice Lake to Caledon to Tobermory to Queenston." "For over 30 years, Ontario Nature has played an important role in the protection of the Niagara Escarpment," said Caroline Schultz, Executive Director of Ontario Nature. "As a founding partner in the Coalition on the Niagara Escarpment (CONE), we've helped to stave off development. We also played a key role in the protection of the Oak Ridges Moraine in 2001. For all of us who worked to secure the protection of these ecological treasures, today is evidence of continuing success." Guests and VIPs briefly toured the new section of trail and then were treated to a barbeque lunch featuring locally-produced food. The event also highlighted a unique collaborative health promotion initiative between the Ontario College of Family Physicians and Ontario Nature. A series of booklets have been created to assist family physicians across the Greenbelt region communicate the valuable health benefits related to the Greenbelt. Physical activity, locally-produced foods and the role the Greenbelt as a purifier of our air and water are all discussed in the series. Over 4,000 booklets have been sent to family physicians throughout the Greenbelt area. "The Greenbelt has a vital role in protecting wildlife habitat and much more" concluded Schultz. "So much of our food, water, air and ultimately our well-being depend upon its health and protection. I encourage Ontarians to support the Greenbelt and learn about its remarkable role in our ecosystem." For more information, contact: Victoria Foote Director of Communications Ontario Nature 416-444-8419 ext.238 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 8952 RR0001). For more information, visit www.ontarionature.org.