The Living City Campaign Achieving Balance

The Living City Campaign Achieving Balance Annual Report 2002 1 www.trca.on.ca/conservation_foundation The oak leaf has been chosen as the symbol of the Conservation Foundation for its simplicity, strength and longevity. The Living City The Challenge “The future health of our planet will be Message from determined in our cities.” William R. Livingston, Maurice Strong, Chair Former Undersecretary General of the United Nations, Chairman of the International Earth Council The Living City Campaign continued to be the Conservation Expanding city regions will play a pivotal role in determining Foundation’s primary focus for the future of the human race and life on the planet. During 2002. The Conservation the next 20 years, the world’s population will grow to Foundation board believes that The Living City vision will approximately 10 billion and two thirds of those people will play an important role in shaping the future for greater live in cities. Greater Toronto is expected to grow by 34% to Toronto. As can be seen from the successes that populate this 6.7 million in that same period. report, Toronto and Region Conservation has made great strides in addressing many important environmental issues. A The impact of city regions on our environment is reaching a big thank you goes out to our many supporters who have critical mass. Urban growth has resulted in the loss and erosion stepped up to help, as indicated in the comprehensive donor of up to 20,000 acres of rural and natural areas annually in listings. Looking ahead, we are moving forward to a new level greater Toronto. Degradation of the natural environment – of activity. Recently we welcomed a new Executive Director, decline of water and air quality, vanishing natural habitats, Ted Fauteux, and we look forward to his experience and loss of species, and energy shortages – contribute directly to leadership in moving us toward our Living City Campaign the deterioration of the health of our cities, the economy and objective. Gifts, both large and small, will help us reach our the health of our citizens. $35 million dollar goal. With a renewed tenacity and vigor we are approaching the challenges of 2003. We need and appreciate your continued support. A Vision of the Future Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA), in cooperation with William R. Livingston The Conservation Foundation of Greater Toronto, propose a Chair, The Conservation Foundation of Greater Toronto new approach – a model that calls for new partnerships to be forged with all sectors of the community – and a bold direction with solution-oriented programs. Our vision is for a new kind of community, The Living City, where human settlement can flourish forever as part of nature’s beauty and diversity. Table of Contents The Living City is about balance and the coexistence of all Message from the Chair page 2 life. It’s about recognizing and valuing the services provided The Living City page 2-3 by nature, clean air, clean water, food, resources, and recreation, while respecting the interdependence and importance of all 2002 Accomplishments page 3 life. The Living City will have a vibrant economy that acts as Conservation Foundation Programs page 4-5 a driving force to help us change in ways that make the region Message from the President page 6 more sustainable and competitive with other city regions. In The Living City people, communities, economy and nature Conservation Foundation 2002 Financial Report page 6 flourish as integral contributors to the success of the greater Donor List page 7 Toronto city region, and as a model for city regions around the world. Board of Directors page 8 The Living City 2 2002 Living City Accomplishments Healthy Rivers and Shorelines • Initiated a study for the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation to naturalize the mouth of the Don River. The study will find the best way to naturalize the river banks (they are steel and concrete right now) and create 50 acres of wetland habitat! • Removed garbage from more than 30 acres of stream. • Completed watershed strategies for two more watersheds in greater Toronto (Etobicoke and Mimico Creeks). Kayaking in Lake Wilcox. • Monitored the quality of water in our rivers at 33 sites across the region. The Expertise of Toronto and Region Conservation Greenspace and Biodiversity Toronto and Region Conservation has 47 years of experience • Involved community volunteers in monitoring 48 in the management of the region’s natural environment. Using locations across greater Toronto. a unique, practical watershed approach to the protection, • Studied and mapped more than 20,000 acres of habitat restoration and enhancement of the natural environment, TRCA to document the plants and animals present. implements innovative programs specifically designed for the • Planted more than 160,000 native trees and shrubs. greater Toronto city region and its urbanizing challenges. • Protected more than 450 acres of significant land through acquisition and easements. Achieving The Living City vision will require a coordinated effort to address the breadth and complexity of sustainability. Sustainable Communities The Conservation Foundation, with the help of TRCA, will • Developed a vision and mission for the new provide leadership in environmental sustainability and act as a Living City Centre. catalyst to engage people in other areas of sustainability: • Created more than 800 metres of trails in the economic, social and political. Humber watershed. • Engaged more than 8,000 volunteers in community The Living City Objectives environmental projects. Healthy Rivers and Shorelines: to restore the integrity and • Engaged more than 115,000 children and youth in health of the regions rivers and waters from the headwaters outdoor education programs. in the Oak Ridges Moraine, throughout each of the nine • Initiated an urban agriculture project to help families watersheds in TRCA’s jurisdiction, to the Toronto waterfront in need grow their own food. on Lake Ontario. Greenspace and Biodiversity: to protect and restore a regional system of natural areas that provide habitat for plants and animal species, improve air quality and provide opportunities for the enjoyment of nature and recreation. Sustainable Communities: to facilitate broad community understanding, dialogue and action toward integrated approaches to sustainable living and city building that improves the quality of life for residents, businesses and nature. Naturalization at the Mouth of the Don River. 3 www.trca.on.ca/conservation_foundation Red Spotted Purple Butterfly A diversity of butterfly species reflect the presence of woodlands, meadows and a diversity of wildflowers. River Partners Protecting and restoring our rivers, shorelines and waters by engaging business and the community: The Conservation • Restoration plans for nine rivers and the waterfront • Watershed report cards Foundation Programs • Community and business engagement • Urban runoff control To achieve The Living City objectives, the TRCA has developed • Agricultural best practices seven programs along with associated outcomes. The Living • Headwater protection City programs provide an innovative, practical approach to achieving the objectives and vision of The Living City. Natural Area Network Creating and enhancing a network of natural areas as the Environmental Science core of a healthy ecosystem, by 2005: Building environmental knowledge and understanding to support better informed decision making and integrated • Plant one million trees action: • Create and enhance 100 hectares of wetlands • Reduce the loss of forest cover • Terrestrial natural • Re-naturalize five kilometres of degraded streams heritage strategy • Remove fish barriers • Integrated watershed planning • Headwater protection Lands for The Living City plans A strategic approach to protecting a network of natural areas • Evaluating green roof that form the core of a healthy regional ecosystem, by 2005: technology • Secure 1000 hectares of land • GTA quest for The • Acquisition Living City • Easements • Regional environmental • Management agreements monitoring Terrestrial Monitoring. Community Planting at Milne Park/Rouge River. Aerial of Milne Park/Rouge River. The Living City 4 Conservation Journeys The Living City Centre Experiencing nature and our cultural heritage through our The strategic heart of The Living City vision, promoting, in network of greenspaces, museum, conservation areas and every way possible, the active implementation of sustainable field centres: urban development and community life: • Create a regional network of conservation parks for • Create a campus that embodies and actively people to experience and enjoy nature promotes sustainable living • Improve access to quality natural experiences locally • Create a resource and leadership development centre and regionally • Promote and catalyze cross-sectoral dialogue • Preserve and protect our heritage resources • Create a governance model that facilitates action • Engage the public in education and entertainment in the community • Measure changes in sustainability Learning for Sustainable Living Investing in lifelong learning to influence the leaders of today and tomorrow. Providing experiential learning programs of local relevance that encourage communities to adopt sustainable living practices: • Immerse students in sustainable living at residential field centres • Create a professional development program for education professionals • Take outdoor education to the classroom • Take learning for a sustainable

Load more