Greenbelt Foundation Announces Green Infrastructure Investments In-Line with Federal Taskforce Recommendations
Four Shovel-Ready Projects Launch Today across the Greater Golden Horseshoe in Support of a Green Recovery from COVID-19
TORONTO, 30 JULY 2020—Last week, the Federal Taskforce for a Resilient Recovery, which includes Canadian business and finance experts, as well as policy and sustainability leaders, urged governments to invest in natural infrastructure as part of COVID-19 recovery. Given our work over a number of years to build awareness and community capacity to effectively utilize natural infrastructure, we welcomed the Task Force highlighting the importance of natural infrastructure as part of broader climate action and economic recovery efforts.
These projects will provide millions of dollars in benefits to rural municipalities over the coming months, through preservation of critical ecosystem services.
Today, the Greenbelt Foundation announces four strategic investments that will help build prosperous, climate-resilient communities in Ontario, while demonstrating the value of natural or “green” infrastructure more broadly.
These projects will provide millions of dollars in benefits to rural municipalities over the coming months, through preservation of critical ecosystem services. Two wetland restoration projects will reduce flood risk in the Hamilton Area, saving millions of dollars in potential damages to over 300 residential and commercial properties, while creating jobs in restoration and improving greenspace for local residents.
A project in the Nottawasaga Valley will see the removal of a partially failed dam and the re-naturalization of the surrounding area, providing cost-effective resilience to flooding, while improving the local fisheries. A wetland restoration initiative in Lake Scugog will enhance the management of stormwater in Port Perry Bay, improving the health of the lake and boosting the local tourism and recreation economies, which depend on it.
“Governments of all levels are searching for innovative solutions to the converging crises of climate change and COVID-19,” says Greenbelt Foundation CEO, Edward McDonnell. “Through our strategic investments in the region’s natural assets, the Greenbelt Foundation is helping our government partners build climate resilience, save municipal tax dollars during this challenging time, and create stable, full-time jobs in planning, construction and monitoring.”
Click here for more information on this announcement.
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About The Greenbelt Foundation:
Greenbelt Foundation is a charitable organization, solely dedicated to ensuring the Greenbelt remains permanent, protected and prosperous. We make the right investments in its interconnected natural, agricultural and economic systems, to ensure a working, thriving Greenbelt for all. Ontario's Greenbelt is the world's largest, with over 2 million acres of farmland, forests, wetlands and rivers working together to provide clean air, fresh water, and a reliable local food source.
For further information please contact:
Michael Young
Communications Advisor
Greenbelt Foundation
(416) 960-0001 x 311
[email protected]
Social Media:
Instagram: @ongreenbelt
Twitter: @greenbeltca
Facebook: Ontario Greenbelt
Cover Image credit to Stephanie Braconnier