Maple Syrup season is here! After years of trying to make it to a Sugarbush festival I finally succeeded! On a sunny Sunday afternoon, my friends and I hopped into the car and headed out to Kortright Centre to learn about and try everything maple they had to offer. If you’ve never been to Kortright Centre I implore you to go, it’s been a staple in my life since before I can remember and is how I first fell in love with the natural world. I was excited to return back to my roots and share in the adventure with my friends.

Upon our arrival we headed into the main building where they were serving pancakes with maple syrup and a gift shop offering a host of maple goodies for purchase as well. It was tempting to just sit down and dig in but the maple demonstrations beckoned us onward and so we continued out the back, down the stairs and to our first stop.

Hot rocks used to turn sweet water into maple syrup.

An official from Kortright Centre stood there with forked branches in hand, picking up hot rocks from the fire and placing them in a hallowed out troth which looked to be holding water. Upon further inspection (and explanation) we discovered that this was how the indigenous people turned “sweet water”, or the maple trees sap, to the more concentrated version of what we know as maple syrup. It was a long process back then, taking a week of round-the-clock work to obtain the smallest amount of syrup. Now, that’s what I call dedication.

Family Fun, History and Culture, Spring,

Ontario Agricultural Week is from October 2 to 8 in 2017, how can you celebrate? By eating local fruit, meat, dairy and vegetables more often!

Ontario’s food system is huge; it generates more than $15 billion in GDP and employs more than 214,000 people. Of this, $2.65 billion GDP is generated by farming in the Golden Horseshoe and the Greenbelt. Did you know that farms in the Greenbelt benefit from natural and locational advantages such as access to key processing industries, highly productive soil types and climate, and proximity to Ontario’s largest and growing market? What to learn more? Click here.

Local Food, Family Fun, Farming,

Tales from Niagara is a blog series focused on the people and places that make Niagara’s Greenbelt great. The series will cover everything from local businesses, to seasonal events, to life on Niagara farms. Look out for our upcoming posts to stay up-to-date and informed on exciting going-ons in Niagara's Greenbelt. 

Residents in Niagara have the gift giving game wrapped up. Going out for dinner? Bring Niagara wine. Birthday? Give wine. Congratulations in order? Wine. Friend having a rough day? See above. The variety of amazing wine and icewine in the Niagara Greenbelt is so plentiful that you could give wine for every occasion, every year, and never have to repeat yourself. And while not one single person has ever complained about receiving a bottle of VQA gold, there are so many other great gifts to be found in the Niagara Greenbelt, for the holidays, I thought I’d highlight a few.

Family Fun,

Tales from Durham is a blog series focused on the people and places that make Durham’s Greenbelt great. The series will cover everything from local businesses, to seasonal events, to life on Durham farms. Look out for our upcoming posts to stay up-to-date and informed on exciting going-ons in Durham's Greenbelt. 

It's winter in the Greenbelt and the holidays are fast-approaching - time to plan your Greenbelt winter adventure. With craft expos, Santa Claus Parades, and the natural beauty of the Greenbelt, there's so many ways to enjoy the wintery months ahead!

Family Fun, Recreation, TalesfromDurham,

Tales from York is a blog series focused on the people and places that make York's Greenbelt great. The series will cover everything from local businesses, to seasonal events, to life on York farms. Look out for our upcoming posts to stay up-to-date and informed on exciting going-ons in York's Greenbelt. 

The festive season is approaching and the Greenbelt is getting lit up with holiday cheer! It’s the time of year to cozy up with a warm beverage and enjoy the local celebrations in your town! In York Region you don’t have to travel too far to find the holiday magic. There are great events and fun winter recreational activities to get you in the holiday mood right in the Greenbelt!

See the list below for some great ideas and make it a Greenbelt Holiday!

Family Fun, Recreation, Winter, TalesfromYork,

Have you ever enjoyed the Don Valley ravines or the Credit River in beautiful weather? Do you take the opportunity to enjoy nature, walk with pets, friends, and family in Oakville’s Sixteen Mile Creek, experiencing an oasis away from your busy life? How about canoeing or kayaking along the Humber River, or feeling miles away protected under a tree canopy while birds chirp among you?

In January 2013, the Ontario Government announced the expansion of the Greenbelt for the first time since 2005. It included the Glenorchy Conservation Area expansion of 265 hectares of land, as well as a new "Urban River Valleys Designation". With moments that these natural areas provide, it’s no wonder we want the Greenbelt to keep expanding.

Family Fun, Nature, Recreation, Water, Lifestyle, Ravines,

Tales from Durham is a blog series focused on the people and places that make Durham’s Greenbelt great. The series will cover everything from local businesses, to seasonal events, to life on Durham farms. Look out for our upcoming posts to stay up-to-date and informed on exciting going-ons in Durham's Greenbelt. 

On a Saturday afternoon in August, I sat among a crowd of over 600 waiting anxiously to hear the results. Armed with Tyrone Mill’s delicious homemade donuts, we were prepared for any outcome. Then they announced it, Durham Region had broken the Guinness World-Record for the longest picnic table!

Food and Drink, Family Fun, Recreation, TalesfromDurham,

If you’re looking for fresh local food, look no further. Recently launched Greenbeltfresh.ca is your one-stop shop to discovering all the delicious food available in the Greenbelt.

Local Food, Food and Drink, Family Fun, Summer, Recreation,

Come join us for the fifth annual Greenbelt Harvest Picnic on Saturday August 29, 2015 at ‎the Christie Lake Conservation Area in Hamilton, Ontario.‎

This year's Greenbelt Harvest Picnic features performances by Arkells, Bahamas, Iron and Wine, Gordon Lightfoot, Gregory Alan Isakov, Kathleen Edwards, Basia Bulat, Martha Wainwright, Terra Lightfoot, Lee Harvey Osmond, Dinner Belles, and many others.

Events, Family Fun, Summer,

Free Market Bucks Returning to Farmers’ Markets and TD Branches this Summer

Market Bucks are back!

With the support of $25,000 from TD Bank Group, the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation is connecting farmers’ markets with TD’s loyal customers in several Greenbelt communities by giving away free Market Bucks to purchase fresh and delicious local food.

Each Market Buck is redeemable for $5 worth of merchandise at select local markets. Spending Market Bucks and investing in local markets helps reduce food miles, and supports the region's farmers and Ontario's Greenbelt, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

Food and Farming Grant, Local Food, Food and Drink, Family Fun, Recreation,