Ontario Chapter

Sierra Club Helps Rescue Green Life Line

Posted on April 5, 2015

On March 23, 2015 the Vice-Chair of the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB), Susan de Aveller Schiller issued a historic ruling. By her denial of Amendment 106 of the Niagara Falls Official Plan, it rescued what the Sierra Club of Ontario has termed “the Green Life Line”. This is a narrow green corridor between the northern and southern parts of the eastern edge of the Niagara Escarpment.

There is only a thin green lifeline of farmland and forests between the Welland Canal and the Niagara River south of the Niagara Escarpment. This lifeline is only 1.7 kilometres in width. It stretches from the forested buffer of a landfill/quarry and the Queen Elizabeth Expressway. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Natural Heritage Guidelines, this is the bare minimum for a wildlife corridor, using the findings of the respected ecologist Reid Noss.

Urban Sprawl Keeps Killing Off What Is Left Of Niagara’s Wildlife – Get Engaged In Ontario’s Greenbelt Review

Posted on March 24, 2015

Written in Niagara at Large, this piece by John Bacher highlights the detrimental effects of urban sprawl on wildlife and ecosystems in Niagara, such as habitat fragmentation and genetic uniformity. The article also serves as a platform to urge Ontario residents, specifically around Lake Ontario and the Golden Horseshoe, to engage in the 2015 Greenbelt Review and help prevent forms of urbanization which are fatal to wildlife. Read article here.

Come to the Town Hall nearest you. Bring your friends. Air your views. Your voice is important!

Engage in a Greenbelt Review Near You

Posted on March 23, 2015

For more information on the Review and ways to participate go to:

http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page10882.aspx (or the MMAH website)

For more information on our wonderful Greenbelt: http://www.greenbelt.ca/

For studies on some of the threats facing our Greenbelt:

http://greenbeltunderthreat.ca/

Outdated Planning Studies Continue to Threaten What is Left of Niagara, Ontario's Natural Areas

Posted on March 23, 2015

Written in Niagara At Large, Sierra Club’s John Bacher talks about how outdated planning studies are guiding development in Niagara Region and the significance of updating these plans to ensure protection of important wildlife and biodiversity in these areas. Read the article here.

Prophetic Voice of Dr. Mike Carr Should Give Guidance in Greenbelt Review

Posted on March 10, 2015

By John Bacher

Photo: Urban Sprawl on Oak Ridges Moraine threatens health of Lake Ontario. By: Mary Lou Bacher

The province of Ontario is engaged in what is termed a decade long review of the Greenbelt Plan and its complimentary legislation, Places to Grow. (the latter is intended to provide higher densities so that sprawl does not jam up against urban boundaries). A public meeting on the review, appropriately enough in a location accessible to cyclists, walkers and transit, is being held on March 30, from 6 to 9pm at the central Yonge Street Toronto Public Library.

The recent death of a prophetic voice of concern for the earth, Dr. Mike Carr, should give some guidance to the deliberations of the public. It is to be fervently hoped that as many people cram into the Toronto Reference Library to give voice to concerns for the fate of the planet as occupied St. James Cathedral square.

If You Care About Protecting Green Lands, Be There At Upcoming Public Consultation Sessions On Greenbelt Protection In Niagara

Posted on March 10, 2015

Author:

Dr John Bacher

Source:

Niagara At Large

Date published:

Fri, 03/06/2015

Many people care for our wounded earth here in the Niagara Region, but frequently despair about what can be done to preserve and protect it.

Farmlands are gobbled up, forests are slashed and streams are entombed in cement. Fish, frogs and turtles lose their homes with the waters. Native bird species vanish...

Provincial Greenbelt Review Meetings: kick-off in Waterloo (Mar25)

Posted on March 4, 2015

Breathe Easy

The Problem With Plastics Project

Great Lakes Protection

Grow Our Greenbelt

Peel Region Group