HumberAdvocate Species of conservation A summary of Listen to your River: A Report Card on the Health of the Watershed SPRING/SUMMER 2008 Winner concern of the Canadian Institute of Planners Red Trillium 2008 Awards for Planning Excellence

American Toad Eastern Screech Owl

Marsh Marigold White Trillium

1 3 5 Volunteer to be a member of Become more env ronment Donate to the Conservation the Humber Watershed ally conscious in your home Foundation of Greater You can Alliance activit es reduce, reuse, . Please vis t recycle www trca.on.ca/conservation _foundation help! 2 Join one of our Commun ty 4 For more information, call Action S te groups Organize a commun ty 416 661 6600 or v sit tree planting event or www trca.on.ca clean up day

www.trca.on.ca Listen to Your River: Figure 1: Humber River Watershed Base Map Figure 2: Humber River Watershed by Municipality Figure 3: Humber River Watershed by Subwatershed A Report Card on the 35 40000

35000 Health of the Humber River Watershed 30

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on the health of the 25000 Humber River 20 Watershed was 20000 published in July 15 15000 2000. 2007 10 report card follows a 10000 similar format and reports on health. 5 5000

0 Per cent Per 0 Area (hectares) categories are: Adjala-Tosorontio Aurora Brampton Caledon King Mississauga Mono Richmond Hill Toronto Vaughan Black Creek East Lower Main West Environment, Society and Economy and Getting it Done. We assigned grades Humber River Watershed Minicipalities Humber River Subwatersheds to each of these indicators, from “A” (very good) to “F” (fail) based on a Figure 4: Humber River Watershed Context Map not a single, simple solution to address Within these sections, related indicators developed criteria has been a tremendous investment of benthic invertebrates, and riparian the problems and reach the potential Land use in the Population are grouped together. For example, vegetation. From a social and economic of the watershed. Instead, there are many surface water (in Environment) has and, when possible, perspective, a fair rating was given to small steps that cumulatively will make Description Humber River growth heritage resources, outdoor recreation bacteria, conventional pollutants, heavy assessed whether From the current data we also highlight opportunities and sustainable use of goals. Work is ongoing to update the Watershed metals and organic contaminants, some of the good and bad news stories. resources. Among the indicators for watershed plan to provide more details, the Humber River Watershed Looking ahead to future conditions, we Getting it Done, we gave a “C” rating • About 26 per cent of the is approximately 670,000. conditions are Each indicator provides the following expect that the watershed will continue to community stewardship and experien- integrated approach to achieving our of the watershed is developed. information: getting better tial and outdoor environmental educa- vision of the Humber River Watershed • Rural land use is 40 per populated watershed in the Toronto increasing human population, new urban tion. Seven of the indicators were rated as a vital and healthy ecosystem where cent of the watershed. region next to the Water- “D” (poor) or “F” (fail). For example, we live, work and play in harmony • Natural cover is 32 per shed, which has 1,550,000 residents. or worse. • Highlights of good news demand for recreation opportunities. wetland protection received an extremely with the natural environment. cent of the watershed. Humber Vaughan increased 60 per cent and bad news. To avoid further degradation and achieve poor or failing grade, because only 3.6 Listen to Your River 2007 is the second improvements in watershed conditions, per cent of the watershed has wetlands- In conclusion, we ask all our partners between 1996 and 2006. • Key next steps for how report card on the health of the Humber well below the 10 per cent target set by to adopt and act on the actions we have to improve. River Watershed, prepared by the for each indicator that we hope to Environment for the Toronto Brampton increased over 38 per cent between 1991 and 2001. Humber Watershed Alliance and Toronto accomplish by 2012, as well as a set and Region Remedial Action Plan Areas together, with your help, we can ensure River Urban and Region Conservation (TRCA). of actions entitled of Concern*. Stormwater management that the Humber’s rich legacy—one that “How to improve.” by members of the Humber Watershed Alliance is a community-based action also failed, because only 25 per cent is livable, sustainable and prosperous— development Alliance based on the input of technical group comprised of residents, representa- Overall, the watershed was given a “C” of urban land has stormwater quantity is passed on to future generations. 1996 and 2001. tives from interest groups, education grade, indicating that, on average, and/or quality controls. High levels of Watershed of Toronto are over 83 per cent of Caledon increased 26 per developed for each indicator. Some institutions, government agencies, conditions are only fair. However, there grades (where it was possible to municipal politicians from across the is a wide range of conditions, with some opportunities, resulting in another failing urbanized. cent between 1996 and 2001. To obtain a copy determine) have an arrow to show Humber River Watershed, and the Chair in better health and others in poor or grade. Fish communities received a whether the trend is up, for improving, of TRCA. It was established in 1997 by failing health. Only six of the 26 indica- of the complete to be completely developed by 2021. approximately 903 square kilometres and Peel Plain in Brampton before joining or down, for declining. For more TRCA to help implement Legacy: A tors were graded as very good or good. from habitat degradation, barriers to report card, is the largest of the nine watersheds in the Main Humber in Toronto. detailed information on the indicators, Strategy for a Healthy Humber , Most notable are the two indicators with movement in the river and competition part of the urbanizing zone and will (1997) please visit TRCA’ please consult the full version a plan aimed at achieving a vital and a very good or “A” rating: the protection from invasive species. Poor grades were be a focal point for growth in the watershed in each municipality is of the 2007 report card . healthy Humber ecosystem. One of also assigned to air quality, protection www.trca.on.ca.humberreportcard2007 Region of Peel. How this report illustrated in Figure 2. Canadian Heritage River on September the overarching roles of the Humber developing an inter-regional trail system. of agricultural land and the recognition or call 25, 1999 by the federal, provincial and • Two new communities in the Region Watershed Alliance is to help achieve A “B” rating, indicating good conditions, and celebration of human heritage. of York are planned to accommodate is organized For more information TRCA was assigned to the sustainable use of 416-661-6600 formally recognizes the outstanding anticipated future growth: Urban 126 kilometres from Listen to on the Humber “healthy rivers and shorelines, regional groundwater, protection of groundwater We want to ensure that those indicators contribution the river has made to the Village 1 (1,300 hectares) and the its source on the Niagara Escarpment and Your River bio-diversity, sustainable communities quality, amount of public greenspace with very good and good ratings remain Oak Ridges Moraine to Lake . Woodbridge Expansion Area River Watershed, and business excellence extending *Environment Canada. 1998. How Much Habitat is (330 hectares). the last report card published in July 2000. and municipal stewardship. A “C” rating, in a healthy state and continue to improve. Enough: A Framework for Guiding Habitat Rehabilita- 10 other Canadian Heritage Rivers in please contact into the 22nd century.” indicating fair conditions, was given to tion in the Great Lakes Areas of Concern. Ontario including the French, Grand, • In the Town of Richmond Hill, the 65 kilometres in length) originates in the 26 indicators are presented nearly 50 Missinabi and Rideau rivers. urban development area encompasses Gary Wilkins, kettle lakes region of Richmond Hill and in three major sections: fair environmental conditions are forest priority for immediate remedial action the lands bounded by Bathurst Street • Environment Humber Watershed cover, quantity and quality of natural to Bayview Avenue, north of King (approximately 43 kilometres in length) • Society and Economy Specialist vegetation cover, wildlife protection, poor, failing and declining conditions. Road to Bloomington Side Road. begins in Caledon, on the rolling hills of • Getting it Done 416-661-6600, ext. 5211 or conventional pollutants, heavy metals [email protected] Listen To Your River: The Humber River Watershed Report Card Summary 2007

Indicator Current Efforts Good News/Bad News Grade How to Improve

— New provincial policies which regulate urban development on significant landforms: Oak Ridges — Eighty-seven per cent of the Humber River Watershed governed by the Niagara Escarpment Plan (2005), — Governments and agencies continue to uphold the Niagara Escarpment Plan, ORMCP, Greenbelt Landforms: Moraine Conservation Plan (ORMCP) (2002), Greenbelt Plan (2005), revised Ontario Provincial ORMCP and Greenbelt Plan is protected from urban development. — Urbanization is occurring at a rapid rate in Plan and Ontario Regulation 166/06. — Municipalities include landform conservation recommen- Policy Statement (2005), Ontario Places to Grow Act (2005), and Toronto and Region Conservation’s areas not protected by provincial land use plans and regulations. A dations from the updated Humber River Watershed Plan in their Official Plans and enforce them. 1 Significant Landforms (TRCA’s) new generic regulation, Ontario Regulation 166/06: Development, Interference with — Private landowners conserve landform features and functions on their property through Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses (2006). conservation easements, restrictive easements and private land stewardship activities.

— Toronto and Region Conservation has completed the Terrestrial Natural Heritage System — Thirty-two per cent of the watershed has natural vegetation cover.— Toronto and Region Conservation has — Include the TNHSS in municipal policy documents.— Target the West Humber subwatershed for Terrestrial Habitat: Strategy (TNHSS) (2007), a plan for protecting, restoring and enhancing the diversity and function planted over 360 hectares of new forest in six years, exceeding the 60-hectare target set in 2000. — Over 460 habitat restoration work. — Create more biodiversity by naturalizing large areas to create core of natural vegetation cover — Toronto and Region Conservation is implementing the Humber hectares of natural vegetation cover in the Black Creek and Lower Humber subwatersheds are scheduled to be CK habitats and corridors that connect isolated habitat patches. 2a Quantity of Natural Vegetation Cover Habitat Implementation Plan (2007) that includes strategies for expanding and connecting patches urbanized. — Urban development has severed all upland forest connectivity within the cities of Toronto, of natural vegetation cover. Brampton and the southern portions of both Vaughan and Caledon.

— Updated Humber River Watershed Plan assists in developing strategies for improving habitat — The best quality habitat is in the upper Main and East Humber subwatersheds, which are largely protected by — Mitigate the effects of external influences such as urban development, which reduce the quality 2b Quality of Natural Vegetation Cover quality — and Places to Grow Plan (2006) will manage growth and help benefit the Greenbelt Plan and the ORMCP. — The watershed could be at least 45 per cent urbanized by 2021, C of natural cover. — Control the introduction and spread of non-native and invasive plants. habitat quality by moderating the influences of urban development. suggesting a future loss to habitat quality and biodiversity.

— Introduction of municipal by-laws preventing the destruction of woodlots, individual trees on — Almost 18 per cent or 16,529 hectares of the Humber River Watershed is forested, an increase of 911 — Municipalities assist in protecting, restoring and linking forest cover by adopting recommenda- private property and trees in ravines. hectares since 2000. — Toronto and Region Conservation has planted over 400,000 trees and shrubs since tions from the updated Humber River Watershed Plan and include them in their Official Plans and 3 Forest Cover 2001 in the Humber River Watershed. — The West Humber, Lower Humber and Black Creek subwatersheds have tree preservation by-laws. — Municipalities inventory their street trees and define the urban forest only 7.2 per cent, 7.7 per cent and 4.6 per cent forest cover, respectively. — At the current rate of reforestation, C canopy. — Governments, agencies, businesses, institutions and private landowners protect existing it will take 175 years to reach the 30 per cent Toronto and Region Remedial Action Plan (RAP) (1994) target, forests and trees on their property and accelerate tree planting. provided there is no loss of forest cover.

— Toronto and Region Conservation has identified priority sites for wetland management and is — No loss of provincially evaluated wetlands in the Humber River Watershed since 2000. — The creation of 8.8 — Municipalities adopt wetland protection recommendations from the updated Humber River implementing this through its Humber Habitat Implementation Plan—The Ministry of Natural hectares of new wetland did not meet the 2000 report card target of restoring 15 hectares of new wetland by Watershed Plan and include them in their Official Plans. — Educate private landowners on ways to 4 Wetlands Resources (MNR) is evaluating and developing rehabilitation plans for degraded wetlands. 2005. — Only 3.6 per cent of the Humber River Watershed is covered by wetland, where the target is 10 per cent. F protect, restore and enhance their wetlands, using Best Management Practices (BMPs), monitoring — Community groups are assisting with wetland restoration projects at Claireville Conservation and Adopt-a-Pond initiatives. Area and ’s King Campus.

— Environment Canada, Bird Studies Canada, the and Citizens Environment Watch — Since 2000, all 25 indicator species were found in the Main Humber and 24 in the East Humber subwatershed. — Municipalities work to improve habitat size, shape, connectivity and distribution according to the coordinate citizen monitoring programs — Toronto and Region Conservation conducts a regional — The low number of species in the Lower Humber and Black Creek subwatersheds indicate degraded habitats. TNHSS. — Government and agencies work in partnership to develop a detection, monitoring and 5 Wildlife monitoring program to collect data on wildlife species. — Invasive plants such as European buckthorn, garlic mustard and dog strangling vine are spreading and C strategy framework for invasive species threats. beginning to degrade native wildlife habitat.

— Municipalities are working with TRCA, and other agencies to continue the development and — There has not been any lowering of water levels in existing wells since reported in 2000. — Ontario Regulation — The province, TRCA and municipalities finalize, approve and implement the Draft Groundwater Groundwater: refinement of groundwater management strategies — All new development projects are required to 387/04 (2007) now requires that metering and regular reporting of significant groundwater takings be made Management Policy Recommendations. — Agencies continue to monitor baseflow in rivers and address the maintenance of recharge and discharge areas — In 2006, source water protection to the Ministry of the Environment (MOE). — Municipalities switching their water supply from groundwater B streams to detect possible lowering of water tables. — Residents and businesses continue to 6 Groundwater Quantity legislation was adopted by the provincial government. to surface water may de-emphasize the importance of groundwater resources, resulting in less vigilant practice water conservation. protection.

— Clean Water Act received Royal Assent in October 2006. The Act protects drinking water — Health-related guidelines have not been exceeded in any Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network (PGMN) — The province, TRCA and municipalities approve and implement a Groundwater Management supplies through developing collaborative, locally driven, science-based protection plans. — Deep well. — The Safe Drinking Water Act (2002) requires mandatory water quality sampling and reporting for potable Strategy that includes land use and zoning policies to protect groundwater quality (e.g., Wellhead 7 Groundwater Quality municipal wells are tested regularly to monitor and verify that water quality meets the Ontario water supplies. — Private, domestic and shallow water supply wells are tested infrequently by owners B Protection Areas). — The province maintains better records on types of contamination, locations Drinking Water Standards (ODWS). for bacteriological and chemical parameters. and spill frequency. — The PGMN extended to monitor groundwater quality of at least 10 wells.

— Toronto’s Wet Weather Flow Management Master Plan (WWFMMP) (2003) prescribes 13 — Various projects have begun as part of Toronto’s WWFMMP implementation such as wetland restoration at — Municipalities retrofit older developments with water retention and infiltration technologies. objectives to improve water quality and quantity, natural areas and wildlife, and the sewer system. the mouth of the Humber. — Toronto established the Community Program for Stormwater Management to assist — Toronto and Region Conservation and partners standardize stringent new stormwater manage- Surface Water: — Detailed stormwater retrofit studies, including preliminary designs, have been completed in community groups with projects that help implement the WWFMMP. — Only 25.3 per cent of the total urban ment criteria for maintaining groundwater infiltration, mitigating erosion and eliminating sedimen- area in the Humber River Watershed has some level of stormwater management. — Climate change is affecting F tation caused by new developments. — Agencies provide incentive programs to encourage 8 Stormwater Management Richmond Hill and Brampton, and are being initiated in Vaughan. — The multi-agency Sustainable K Technologies Evaluation Program (STEP) is advancing knowledge about the benefits of green roofs, precipitation patterns and could lead to increased stormwater runoff, erosion, flooding and aquatic habitat residents to practice lot-level stormwater BMPs like installing rain barrels, water efficiency permeable pavement, bioswales, rainwater harvesting and erosion and sediment control ponds. destruction. and infiltration.

— Toronto and Region Conservation’s Rural Clean Water Program and community groups (Action to — Toronto has made beaches a high priority with initiatives like the Blue Flag Program that aims to have city — Implement the recommendations of Toronto’s WWFMMP.— Upstream municipalities develop Restore a Clean Humber and Ontario Streams) continue to carry out projects to reduce bacterial beaches certified and open more frequently for recreation. — On average, from 2000 to 2005, all of the and retrofit existing facilities based on a water budget approach to stormwater management and 9 Bacteria inputs. — Toronto, in partnership with Environmental Defence, initiated a Blue Flag Program for monitored stations only met the provincial water quality standard for bathing during 31 per cent of the season F incorporate other concepts of sustainable design. — Farmers use BMPs to reduce agricultural Canada (an eco label awarded to beaches that achieve high standards in water quality, environ- (May to October). — Humber beaches are not Blue Flag certified since they do not meet the high quality sources of bacteria in runoff.

Environment mental education, environmental management, safety and services.) standards.

— Ontario’s Nutrient Management Act, passed in 2002, will help reduce pollutants in surface — There have been no significant increases in conventional contaminants since the 1990–1996 period, except — Municipalities monitor the effectiveness of their salt management plans and alter them water by requiring the use of BMPs for farming. — Toronto and Region Conservation, in partnership for chloride. — Chloride levels have continued to rise due to the increase in road networks and the associated accordingly. —Federal and provincial governments increase financial support to accelerate the 10 Conventional Pollutants with the MOE, has developed a GIS-based sewershed mapping system to track toxic spills. salt use. CK implementation of the WWFMMP in the City of Toronto. — Schools, community groups and — Toronto and Richmond Hill have prepared salt management plans. agencies increase public education efforts on water pollution issues and solutions.

— Caledon and Toronto have by-laws restricting the use of non-essential pesticide. Richmond Hill — Of the 159 pesticides investigated, only 10 were detected in the Humber and eight of those did not exceed — Residents, businesses and agencies reduce pesticide use and dispose of hazardous wastes has adopted a pesticide reduction policy. — Toronto and Region Conservation’s Healthy Yards water quality guidelines.* — Approximately 900 oil spills and 750 chemical spills were recorded in the properly. — All municipalities in the Humber adopt pesticide by-laws. — The MOE prepares 11 Heavy Metals & Organic Contaminants Program and pest management policies encourage the use of alternatives to pesticides on private watershed between 1988 and 2000 according to data from the MOE’s Spills Action Centre; 50 per cent of these CK watershed-based spills management plans to identify spill-vulnerable areas and develop preventa- and public lands. spills involved direct discharges to the Humber River and its tributaries. tive and remedial measures.

— The provincial government is making the Permit to Take Water Program more stringent and — The West Humber subwatershed showed no change in baseflow between 1997 and 2003 because the — Toronto and Region Conservation continues to work with the MOE to restrict surface water more focused on environmental considerations. — Humber River Watershed Plan is being coverage by urban impervious surfaces is still low. — Between 1997 and 2003, median summer low flows have takings to flows that exceed low-flow volume. — Private landowners protect and expand forest 12 River Flow updated to include details on groundwater flow, water budgets and water conservation. decreased in the East Humber subwatershed by 1.8 per cent, in the Main Humber subwatershed by 12.9 per C cover on their properties, disconnect downspouts from the storm sewer system and install rain cent and in the Black Creek subwatershed by six per cent. barrels to store water.

— Since 2000, benthic invertebrate data have been collected annually from 38 stations across the — Benthic communities in the Humber remain in a relatively stable condition since 2000. — The upper sections — The Ontario Benthos Biomonitoring Network continues to develop data analysis models and Aquatic Habitat: watershed and analyzed by TRCA. — Riparian planting and stream restoration projects by groups of the watershed are showing evidence of decline or stress due to land use changes that alter hydrology and reference site data. — Toronto and Region Conservation continues to monitor, prioritize and reduce such as Ontario Streams and the Black Creek Project are helping to improve benthic habitats by sedimentation. C streambank erosion. 13 Benthic Invertebrates reducing runoff and erosion.

— In-stream barriers were modified in Woodbridge, Palgrave, Bolton and Albion Hills Conservation — Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Pacific Salmon from Lake Ontario can migrate up the Humber to appropriate — Toronto and Region Conservation, in partnership with the MNR, Ontario Streams and the City of Area to allow for fish passage. — The MNR has stocked the Humber River with over 563,000 fish spawning grounds for the first time in more than 150 years because in-stream barriers have been modified or Toronto, modify existing barriers in the Lower Humber subwatershed to further improve fish 14 Fish Communities since 2000. — The MNR has improved the enforcement of fishing regulations near the Old Mill removed. — Over 77 per cent of the monitoring stations scored fair to good quality in both 2001 and 2004. D passage. — The MNR implements measures to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species weir in the Lower Humber subwatershed. — Fish surveys indicate that between 2001 and 2004, 57 per cent of the monitoring sites saw a decline in fish such as rusty crayfish, rudd and round goby. habitat quality.

— Riparian areas are protected from development by Ontario Regulation 166/06, ORMCP, — Sixty-one per cent of the riparian zone in the entire Humber River Watershed has natural cover, with 35 per — Toronto and Region Conservation, agencies, community groups and private landowners protect 15 Riparian Vegetation Greenbelt Plan and Provincial Policy Statement. — Streambank vegetation continues to be cent of this being forest, 18 per cent meadow, six per cent wetland vegetation and two per cent successional CK and plant more woody vegetation in riparian areas, with the West Humber subwatershed as a planted throughout the watershed on private and public land through stewardship programs. growth. — Over 50 per cent of the riparian zone in the West Humber subwatershed has no natural cover. priority area.

— At the sixth annual Smog Summit (2005), the Toronto and Region Inter-Governmental Declara- — Air quality in general has improved over the last 20 years, but ozone and particulates continue to be a — Businesses and consumers reduce the use of fossil fuel-powered equipment, increase the Air: tion on Clean Air, a commitment to address smog and greenhouse gas issues, was signed by the problem for human health—particularly in hot weather. — The Air Quality Index exceeded 50 (poor) eight times in energy efficiency of homes and offices and increase the use of renewable energy sources. federal and provincial governments and 20 municipalities in the Toronto region. — In 2005, York 2003, once in 2004, and 11 times in 2005 and five times in 2006. — Federal and provincial governments increase funding for public transit. — Toronto and 16 Air Quality Region launched Viva, the first rapid transit bus service of its kind in the (GTA). D Region Conservation, government, community groups and homeowners restore natural cover, especially trees.

— Amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act (2005) give the province and municipalities new — Four hundred and forty archaeological sites and 1,401 listed historic sites have been identified, an increase — Efforts are increased to list and designate heritage properties in order to maximize their Heritage: powers to not only delay but stop the demolition of heritage sites. — Toronto and Region of only 21 since 2000. — Of the 1,401 listed historical sites and buildings, only 86 have been designated and recognition and protection. — Municipal Heritage Boards (formerly Local Architectural Advisory Conservation continues to enhance heritage awareness and preservation, through protected under the Ontario Heritage Act. C Committees) and municipal heritage planners record, categorize and update their heritage 17 Heritage Resources archaeological surveys and comprehensive updates to heritage inventories. inventories.

— La Société d’histoire de Toronto has completed a feasibility study (2006) plan for a historical — In 2003, the Federal Minister of Heritage proclaimed the second Sunday in June as Canadian Heritage Rivers — Toronto and Region Conservation with the assistance of partners to organize an annual Humber park on the Lower Humber River below St. Clair Avenue. — Local heritage groups and municipali- Day. — Only 36 per cent of the watershed’s residents are aware that the Humber River has been designated a River event to promote recreation, natural values and human heritage. — Toronto and Region 18 Heritage Events ties are hosting and promoting events, such as fall fairs and historic interpretive walks that Canadian Heritage River.** DK Conservation to host a 10th anniversary celebration of the Humber’s Canadian Heritage Rivers celebrate the heritage of their communities. designation. — Municipalities, TRCA and school boards incorporate local heritage education programs in their events.

— The regional municipalities of York and Peel have set up land acquisition reserves which are — The inventory of publicly owned greenspace grew to 8,789 hectares, which is 232 hectares more than in — Toronto and Region Conservation and municipalities continue to acquire greenspace through Outdoor Activities: accessible for the purchase of conservation lands. — The Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation has 2000. — In 2001, the Province of Ontario reached an agreement to exchange 428 hectares of privately owned development processes, requests, donations and conservation easements. — Toronto and Region a fund of $15 million for land acquisition, stewardship and habitat restoration on the Oak land on the Oak Ridges Moraine in Richmond Hill for provincially owned lands in Pickering. — Significant BK Conservation and partner organizations implement the management plan (2006) for the Oak 19 Public Greenspace Ridges Moraine. portions of the valley and stream corridors in the East and West Humber subwatersheds still do not have Ridges Corridor Park in Richmond Hill.

Environments connected, publicly accessible greenspace areas.

— One hundred and seventy-five conservation properties and municipal parks have been — Eighty-two per cent of the watershed residents agree that improving the quality of the Humber River and its — Public agencies monitor and adapt public spaces to meet consumer needs in ways that are established in the Humber. — Some conservation areas and municipal parks are being upgraded parks and tributaries will improve their quality of life.** — Attendance at TRCA conservation areas and compatible with the protection of natural systems. — Toronto and Region Conservation, municipali- 20Outdoor Recreation and diversified to meet consumers’ needs, to reflect changing demographics and to enhance campgrounds has remained relatively static, with annual fluctuations likely due to weather. C ties and local community groups develop partnerships to provide outdoor recreational program- visitor experiences. ming, continue to improve the quality of the environment and promote eco-tourism.

— A five-kilometre, multi-use trail was completed by TRCA in 2006 in the Oak Ridges Corridor Park — The length of completed trails has increased by 28.4 kilometres since 2000, exceeding the 2005 target of 17 — Identify and set priorities for locations where trail links are needed. — Toronto and Region in Richmond Hill. — Vaughan has prepared a Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan. — The Humber kilometres. — There are 213 kilometres of inter-regional trails in the watershed. — Gaps in priority trail sections Conservation, municipalities, trail clubs and community groups work together to determine the 21Trails Arboretum in partnership with TRCA and the City of Toronto completed a 10-kilometre, self-guided along the Main, East, West and Lower Humber subwatersheds still exist. — Conflicts exist between trail user A best location for different types of trails. — Trail associations work with agencies to build, monitor Discovery Walk in 2006. — Brampton’s Pathways Master Plan won the Canadian Institute of groups (e.g., hikers versus cyclists versus horseback riders). and maintain trails. Planners Award in 2003. Society and Economy Society — The provincial Greenbelt Plan, the ORMCP and Places to Grow Act were adopted to support the — Despite the higher price, almost 87 per cent of Humber residents say they would purchase locally grown fruits — Municipalities enforce policies to protect Prime Agricultural Lands in their Official Plans. — All Agriculture: long-term viability of agricultural lands.— GTA Agricultural Action Plan was released in 2005. and vegetables.** — Since 2000, nearly 7,036 hectares of the reported 17,000 hectares of protected Prime levels of government work together with partners to implement the GTA Agricultural Action Plan. — Toronto and Region Conservation and the City of Toronto have established a three-hectare urban Agricultural Land in the regions of York and Peel have been developed or re-designated. D — Toronto and Region Conservation to develop a strategy regarding the use of TRCA land for new 22Agricultural Lands organic farm in Toronto. near-urban agriculture.

— Municipalities are promoting water conservation through public education campaigns, summer —Toronto and Peel Region have set solid waste diversion targets that are more aggressive than the 60 per cent — Manufacturers and businesses reduce the amount of packaging for the goods they sell. Sustainability: lawn-watering bans and rebate programs. — Toronto, Mississauga and Richmond Hill are partici- goal set by the province. —The total amount of waste being generated is not decreasing (the focus is on solid — All municipalities develop and implement large-scale energy conservation programs. pating in the Mayor’s Megawatt Challenge. — Toronto and Region Conservation has begun the waste diversion, ignoring the total amount of solid waste being generated). C 23 Sustainable Use of Resources planning process for The Living City Campus at Kortright—a place to learn about sustainable living and sustainable technologies, and to influence the broader community and region.

— In 2001, TRCA committed to a Multicultural Environmental Stewardship Program that helps — Since 2001, the Multicultural Environmental Stewardship Program has involved approximately 4,720 people. — Community groups supported by public and private funding continue to recruit volunteers, Stewardship: “new” Canadians get involved in environmental education programs and events. — The Claireville — Only 10 per cent of the watershed’s residents have volunteered their time to a cause which aims to improve conduct outreach and plan and implement stewardship projects. — Governments, agencies and Community Stewardship Project was launched in 2006 to encourage local stakeholders to become the environment.** C the private sector fund education programs and social marketing campaigns to achieve 24Community Stewardship actively involved in the wise use and protection of the natural environment. widespread behavioural change.

— Toronto and Region Conservation continues to operate environmental education programs at — Sixty per cent of the student population attending public or Catholic schools in the Humber River Watershed — The province includes outdoor education as part of the curriculum. — School boards support 25Outdoor Experiential three outdoor education centres in the Humber. — The Ontario EcoSchools program, launched in receives formal outdoor environmental education at local field centres. — In 2006, three TRCA outdoor outdoor environmental education programming at TRCA and other field centres, beyond present 2004, helps school boards operate their schools more sustainably. education facilities (Kortright Centre, Albion Hills and Lake St. George) were gold-certified EcoSchools. C efforts. — More schools become certified EcoSchools. Environmental Education Black Creek Pioneer Village is silver certified. — The Boyd Residential Field Centre closed in 2001.

— All of the planning studies to meet the requirements of the ORMCP are near completion. — All municipalities in the Humber River Watershed have Official Plan policies that protect the form and function — Municipalities carry out self-evaluation of policy effectiveness and respond accordingly. * — Toronto, King and Caledon have environmental advisory committees comprised of municipally of the Humber River and its tributaries, and protect aquatic and terrestrial habitats. — Effectiveness of munici- 28Municipal Stewardship appointed citizens and professionals to advise municipal councils on environmental issues. pal policies and practices on environmental conditions has not been assessed. B Getting it Done Getting

Notes: KRepresents an upward or improving trend *Indicators 26 (Aesthetics) and 27 (Business Stewardship) were not reported in 2007. ** Pollara Strategic Public Opinion and Market Research. 2006. Humber River Watershed Awareness. Toronto. *** Struger J., T. Fletcher, P. Martos, B. Ripley and G. Gris. 2002. Pesticide Concentrations in the Don and Humber River Watersheds (1998–2000). Environment Canada, Ontario Ministry of Environment and Toronto Works and Emergency Services.