Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition

Proud to stand with Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition and Environmental Defence Canada to re-think $6B+ spent on new highways that threaten Lake Simcoe and the Greenbelt.

Today with other groups from our region and across the province we took a big stand against two new highway projects that would worsen climate change, destroy Greenbelt lands, threaten Lake Simcoe and cost taxpayers huge money without a net benefit to the greater community. How many billions do you think should be sunk into new highways? Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass (or as we’re lovingly calling it - the Holland Marsh Highway) require a sober second look and not be rus...hed through the approval process as the current provincial government wants to do. We are asking the federal government to look at the social and environmental damages that these projects could pose. If we want a better world, with protected green spaces, healthy communities, safe water to drink and a liveable climate, we need solutions appropriate for today, not 1950. We hope that you’ll consider sending a letter to your MP asking them to do proper assessments for these projects. Take action here: https://act.environmentaldefence.ca/page/74477/action/1 Read more about our concerns through this blog: https://environmentaldefence.ca//the-federal-government-n/

We've created a great way for your to stay informed about issues happening in your neck of the woods and around Simcoe County. Our map shows the location of issues, the footprint of the proposal, if available, as well as links to further information, including contact information for local organizers and tools that allow you to take action. We're still building it out, so don't have every issue up yet, nor all the detailed information pages (there are a lot, unfortunately), b...ut they will be added in the coming days and weeks. Oh, and there's also a form on the page that you can use to submit issues. Check it out! https://simcoecountygreenbelt.ca/map/

Thanks to all of our supporters for making this possible. Together, we will create a future for us and our future generations that: -sees our forests and wetlands TRULY protected -protects our water including Lake Simcoe and our pristine groundwater reserves... -protects biodiversity and endangered species -creates healthy, prosperous, equitable communities-not just car dependent sprawling bedroom communities -takes climate action seriously These funds get put back into local community actions that move us closer to this vision. Thanks to all of you for your continued support and belief that our world can and will be better.

Trees are amazing. Much like healthy, vibrant human communities, trees communicate with each other, support one another, and form relationships that make the whole greater than the sum of its parts. Trees can teach us a lesson in how to foster a healthier society. ... "Most of the forest lives in the shadow of the giants that make up the highest canopy. These are the oldest trees, with hundreds of children and grandchildren. They check in with their neighbors, share food, supplies and wisdom gained over their lives, all while rooted in place. How do they do this? Camille Defrenne and Suzanne Simard explore the vast root system and intricate communication of trees." https://www.ted.com//camille_defrenne_and_suzanne_simard_t

One week from today! A chance to protect the heart of the Carden Alvar. (The site is currently proposed to be developed as a shooting range.) The Carden Alvar supports some of the highest quality and most extensive alvar habitat on the planet and is designated as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area, an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest and contains globally rare alvar habitat and species.... What is an Alvar? From Wikipedia: "An alvar is a biological environment based on a limestone plain with thin or no soil and, as a result, sparse grassland vegetation. Often flooded in the spring, and affected by drought in midsummer, alvar support a distinctive group of prairie-like plants. Most alvars occur either in northern Europe or around the Great Lakes in North America. This stressed habitat supports a community of rare plants and animals, including species more commonly found on prairie grasslands. Lichen and mosses are common species. Trees and bushes are absent or severely stunted. The primary cause of alvars is the shallow exposed bedrock. Flooding and drought, as noted, add to the stress of the site and prevent many species from growing."

"When the COVID-19 pandemic is finally behind us, Ontarians may reemerge to find their province forever changed for the worse. The recent move by the provincial government to use special powers called a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) to approve plans to build a production facility on a provincially significant wetland in Pickering is the latest example of a larger trend. While we have all been understandably preoccupied with the pandemic, the Ontario government has steal...thily accelerated their developers-take-all agenda. If they continue, many of the wetlands, forests, ravines, farmland and conservation areas that are home to countless endangered species and that have offered so many of us refuge during the pandemic will all be sold off, paved over, or mowed down." https://www.thestar.com//ontario-continues-its-pro-develop

In her view, council essentially "handed off the keys" to planning and growth decisions to a developer and the province, while councillors "naively climbed into the back seat to see where the ride would take them." If you want to help support Beeton and stop other communities across Simcoe County from being at the mercy of MZOs, you can send a letter to your MPP and the province using our tool. Ask them to keep planning rules in place and stop issuing shortcuts for developers. Send your letter here: https://mailchi.mp/917b94cb1618/action-alert-mzos https://www.simcoe.com//10233665--climbed-into-the-back-se

October Newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/585b92f20a29/october-newsletter The public is being cut out of decisions about how their community develops, climate change is a threat multiplier (and this will affect you), and finally, if you haven't yet seen it, you really should check out My Octopus Teacher on Netflix! This, and more, in our October newsletter.... Subscribe here: http://eepurl.com/hdJceT

Excellent webinar here, featuring David Donnelly, Jack Gibbons, and Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition's own Claire Malcolmson!

SEND YOUR LETTER NOW. http://bit.ly/MZOSendLetter Municipalities are increasingly seeking Ministerial Zoning Orders (MZOs) to push through massive development projects.... A MZO speeds up development by by-passing requirements for public consultation, environmental impact studies, and more. MZOs are a terrible way to plan. They fragment regional planning by creating a gold rush dynamic, in which each municipality and each developer tries to get their own cut of the pie, rather than working together in a coordinated way for the benefit of Ontario. Tall the province to stop handing MZOs as if they were candy at Halloween.

ACTION ALERT: MZOs - https://mailchi.mp/917b94cb1618/action-alert-mzos Want to take action on MZOs? Send an email to local MPPs and the Minister, and help us track where these things are popping up. (It's like pet cemetery out there, with the MZOs as the dead pets. Ugh.)