Stretching over 2 million acres, Ontario's Greenbelt protects critical farmland, forests, wetlands, rivers, and lakes. These natural systems clean our air and regulate water quality and quantity, reduce flood risks, provide a home for wildlife, manage rising temperatures, and ensure our communities have greenspaces to explore, improving our mental and physical well-being. We call this natural infrastructure.
The benefits nature provides us with are endless, and it is important that we share this information and begin considering nature as one of our best resources for adapting to the impacts of climate. Click the squares below to watch four short videos that explore the different types of natural infrastructure that can be found right here in Ontario's Greenbelt!
Watch the videos to learn more:
Interested in learning more about natural infrastructure? Check out some of our recent projects and reports:
Cooling Corridors: The Role of Green Infrastructure in Building Resilience to Extreme Heat
Read the first report of its kind that quantifies the positive impact that the Greenbelt’s urban river valleys have on temperature.
Rivers for Resilience: Ontario Greenbelt Urban River Valleys
Learn about the recreational, social, environmental, and stewardship opportunities of 21 Greenbelt protected urban river valleys.
Investing in the Future: The Economic Case for Natural Infrastructure in Ontario
Read the first-ever study on the cumulative economic and ecological benefits of restoration projects in the province.
The Grindstone Creek Project: Landmark Natural Asset Management Plan
Learn about a landmark watershed restoration project working to restore the Grindstone Creek area and demonstrating how proper natural asset management can save municipalities money, build the region’s resilience to climate change, and ensure healthy greenspaces for residents.
A Conceptual Framework to Understand the Business Case for Ecohealth
How can we determine the financial value of urban green infrastructure for human health? As the first study of its kind in Ontario, the Foundation worked with Green Analytics to apply the framework to three greenspace projects in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
To find more projects like these, visit our work.