Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System: An Update
Hamilton Industrial Environmental Association 7 October 2021
Dr. David Galbraith, RBG Head of Science Tӱs Theijsmeijer, RBG Head of Natural Lands
Page 1 “Head of the Lake” area Around Cootes Paradise Marsh
Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System Boundary
Page 1 Map Source: BARC Web Site Waterdown – Sassafras Woods Clappison-Grindstone Management Plan Management Plan
Partner Lands
Undeveloped Lands
Neighbouring Property Outreach Area
Page 1 Cootes to Escarpment Ecological Corridor
LookingPage 1 North over Westdale and Cootes Paradise EcoParkPage 1 System as of 2013 Memorandum of Understanding Participating Agencies
• Bruce Trail Conservancy • City of Burlington • City of Hamilton • Conservation Halton • Hamilton Conservation Authority • Hamilton Naturalists Club • Regional Municipality of Halton • McMaster University • Royal Botanical Gardens
Page 1 Vision Statement prepared through Public Consultation, 2009:
Our vision for the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System is that it will be known internationally as a protected, permanent and connected natural lands sanctuary from the Harbour to the Escarpment that promotes ecosystem and human health within Ontario’s Greenbelt.
Page 1 DesjardinsPage 1 Canal, Cootes Paradise Marsh LookingPage 1 East over Dundas and Cootes Paradise ExtensivePage 1 Habitat Fragmentation Present Land Ownership
Page 1 Ontario’s Richest Biological Diversity (as measured by plant species)
Page 1 Galbraith et al., 2011, Plant Diversity and Resources 33(1): 123-131 Red Mulberry (Morus rubra) Canada’s Most Endangered Tree PAST • Reduced to ~200 plants by hybridization with introduced White Mulberry • Designated by COSEWIC as Endangered • Development of Recovery Team and Plan PRESENT • Many partners implementing various parts of recovery plan • Approximately 25% of Canada’s population within the Study Area FUTURE • Experimental propagation under way
Page 1 The Participating Agencies
• Bruce Trail Conservancy • City of Burlington • City of Hamilton • Conservation Halton • Hamilton Conservation Authority • Hamilton Naturalists Club • Regional Municipality of Halton • McMaster University • Royal Botanical Gardens
• With considerable assistance from Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan Office.
Page 1 Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System Extended Area
Hectares Acres Share
Current EcoPark System Partner Lands 1,983 4,900 53%
Potential Additional EcoPark System Lands 550 1,400 15%
Private Lands Outreach Area, Rail and 1,200 3,000 32% Hydro Corridors Total Area 3,650 9,100 100%
Page 1 December 2015 – New Lands Protected
Royal Botanical Gardens
Conservation Halton
Page 1 The Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System:
• A voluntary park alliance of conservation land-owning agencies and organizations within the cities of Hamilton and Burlington, Ontario. • Together these own approximately 1,983 hectares (4,900 acres) of some significant natural habitat and parkland • Lands include some of Canada’s richest lands for wild plants and crucial wildlife habitat • Recreational use crucial to valuing green space: over 250,000 users on RBG’s trails alone each year • Significant cultural heritage, historic sites, archaeology within area
Page 1 Our Core Program
• Land Securement • Stewardship • Community and Stakeholder Engagement • Partnership Development • Sustainable Recreational Development
Page 1 Management Plans
• 6 core Heritage Lands areas. • Comprehensive plans covering multiple properties. Owned by multiple partner agencies. • Only pertain to lands owned by partners. • 5 have been completed as of November, 2018. • Final plan, Lower Grindstone Heritage Lands, started in November, 2018.
Page 1 Page 1 Page 1 Page 1 Page 1 Page 1 Page 1 Page 1 Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring and Mr. John Holland at EcoPark System Launch, 2013 2021-2030 Strategic Plan
We are shaping the 2021-2030 EcoPark System strategic plan through a series of Management Committee workshops and public engagement.
Page 1 Renewed Strategic Plan: 2021-2030
2019: Writing Strategic Plan, including engagement with all partners, stakeholders, public; waypoints at 2025, 2030 2020: Seek approval from all Boards and Councils, finalize management arrangements, 2021- 2026(?). write third iteration of MOU 2021: New Strategic Plan launched to coincide with renewal of MOU
Page 1 What the EcoPark System Is
•A unique collaborative approach to helping partner agencies take better care of their own properties •A consensus-based, voluntary agreement to get together and solve problems •Based on existing planning, zoning, etc., welcoming participation by the public and stakeholders. Nothing new is needed
Page 1 What the EcoPark System Is Not
• A proposal for a single, large “park” owned by one agency • A large bureaucracy (we have one professional planner on staff, plus contracts for some part time work or special projects) • An “authority” to tell anyone what to do.
Page 1 Project Phases
Phase 1: Background research (2007)
Phase 2: Community and stakeholder consultation to develop vision for park system (2007-2009)
Phase 3: Development of foundations for park system – Land Securement Strategy, governance model, Communications Plan (2010-2013)
Phase 4: Ongoing Collaboration – the EcoPark System is established via MOU (2013-Pres.)
Now: Writing a Strategic Plan to take us to 2030
Page 1 Area of the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System as of April 2021 Area Property Owner (hectares) (acres) Royal Botanical Gardens 905 2,236 Conservation Halton 367 907 City of Burlington 320 790 City of Hamilton 178 441 Hamilton Conservation Authority 148 366 Halton Region 30 74 Bruce Trail Conservancy 28 73 Hamilton Naturalists' Club 6 14 Total Area 1,983 4,900
Page 1 Canada’s First Urban Biosphere EcoPark?
• An Urban Biosphere EcoPark is a new concept; could be a model for other communities across Canada • Improve natural capital, conserve threatened habitats, secure Species at Risk in close proximity to expanding urban centres • Expands network of passive and sustainable recreation opportunities • Collaboration could include federal, provincial and municipal governments and other local partners • An annual funding formula to include financial contributions from the federal government, provincial government and local municipal governments and partners.
Page 1 Thank You for Your Attention
http://cootestoescarpmentpark.ca
[email protected] [email protected]
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