The Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation (ORMF) and Greenbelt Foundation are excited to announce the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail Strategy, which aims to enhance the ecological and tourism potential of the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail (ORMT). The launch of its two-phase strategy is aimed at enhancing governance, community engagement, and trail accessibility. This initiative will lay the groundwork for a sustainable and inclusive trail experience for all users.
The Oak Ridges Moraine, like many areas in southern Ontario, is facing unprecedented development pressures. The Greenbelt Foundation and partners have identified the renewal and expansion of the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail as a critical strategy for building public interest in and protection of the Moraine.
Our mission for the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail is to permanently protect the nature trail corridor connecting people to the water, the lands, the history and the communities of the Oak Ridges Moraine. The new Trail alignment will bring more natural areas under an additional layer of protection. The current trail spans 160 KM and encompasses approximately 190,000 hectares. 70% of the existing trail is on road. This project will realign the trail so that 100% of the trail in nature. This has the potential of adding an additional 100,000 hectares of nature under protection through land securements, IPCAs, MOECMs etc.
Indigenous Reconciliation begins with recognizing the land upon which the Oak Ridges Moraine rests is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe People, specifically the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, the Scugog Island First Nation, and Alderville First Nation. Through a recent partnership with Cambium Indigenous Professional Services and the Mno Aki Land Trust, we have created an interim Indigenous Committee (Williams Treat Working Group) to work with Greenbelt Foundation’s Strategic Implementation Working Group on the governance, development and implementation of the project.
The Oak Ridges Moraine Trail Renewal Project supports the renewal and expansion of the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail to accommodate the increasing demand for access to nature while increasing opportunities for Indigenous reconciliation – so the Trail serves to connect, educate, heal, hold, and support its diverse users and treaty holders.
The Oak Ridges Moraine Trail holds the capacity to attract users, support Indigenous conservation and build the next generation of support for the preservation of the Moraine.
Read the press release here and the full strategy below:
