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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSD-005-09~j~-~~~ REPORT Leading the Way PLANNING SERVICES Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: Monday, January 5, 2009 Report #: PSD-005-09 File #: PLN 17.1.6 Subject: ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP 2008 PROGRAM UPDATE By-law #: RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: THAT Report PSD-005-09 be received for information. t Submitted by: a I J. Crome, MCIP,RPP Director, Planning Services FL/DJC/df 9 December 2008 Reviewed by: `~~`J` ~-'~'-' "`J K, Franklin Wu ~esa l~~-li o h ~ (J~J- ~ 1 C~-C7 `~ Chief Administrative Officer CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STRE T, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-0830 REPORT NO.: PSD-005-09 PAGE 2 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 Since 2002, Council has been providing annual funding for an ongoing stewardship programme. The environmental stewardship programme was established to encourage private groups to carry out works that improve municipal lands, such as valleylands and other natural areas. 1.2 Initially, uptake of these stewardship funds were limited. It took some time to build awareness that funding was available for stewardship projects on municipal properties. In addition, staff has been careful to direct private stewardship initiatives to the applicable conservation authority, Durham Land Stewardship Council (for Ministry of Natural Resources properties) and other programmes. 1.3 The purpose of this report is to inform Council of how the funds have been spent and the funds that are remaining in the Stewardship account (carried over from previous years). 2.0 GRANTS 2.1 General Guidelines When approving projects for funding, Staff have been careful to only fund projects that are on municipally owned properties, have in-kind contributions (labour andJor materials) and meet the overall concept plan for the area. Planning Services staff work closely with Engineering and Operations staff to ensure that the project is in the best interests of the municipality. The work undertaken in previous years is outlined in Attachment 1. 2.2 2008 Works Funding of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Rangers for one week. The Ontario Stewardship Rangers work in teams of five (5)high school students (17year olds) and a project captain. The work of the Rangers this year included work with the Valleys 2000, Courtice Millennium Trail (planting and mulching/grooming of trails, erosion control works) and removal of Phramagites from wetland areas in the Black/Farewell Creek watershed. These projects were co-ordinated by the Operations and Engineering Services Departments. At the September 29th, 2008 Council Meeting Clarington Mayor Abernethy was presented with a plaque of appreciation for the Municipalities contributions to the 2008 Ontario Stewardship Ranger Program. 3.0 CONCLUSION 3.1 There has been good response to the grant program, to date over $24,000 has been spent; however, the in-kind contributions increase the value of the works completed by three to four times. In addition, the net gain for those involved has been an understanding and long-term commitment to the community and environmental stewardship. 3.2 Staff hope to continue to expand the environmental stewardship program in the coming year, there are funds in the amount of just over $5,000 to carry over from previous years. ATTACHMENT 1 TO REPORT PSD-005-09 Stewardship Projects 2003-2007 2003 Plantings in the Bowmanville Valley along the pathway from Spry Avenue north. In-kind labour provided by Planning Services Staff and Valleys 2000. 2004 Creek crossing in Bowmanville Valley in partnership with Valleys 2000 and Courtice Secondary School students. The funding provided the lumber necessary for the project, the students built and installed the crossing. 2005 Boardwalk behind Courtice Complex in partnership with Courtice Secondary School students. The funding provided the lumber necessary for the project, again the students constructed the boardwalk in sections, in shop class, and then assembled them on site. Plantings in Soper Creek valley along the pathway from the Visual Arts Centre north to Hobbs Avenue, in partnership with Valleys 2000 and Bowmanville High School students who provided the labour. 2006 In February of 2006 the Municipality hosted, in partnership with OPG, a workshop for a number of environmental groups with Evergreen. Evergreen is a not-for-profit environmental group that provides advice and funding for environmental projects. The workshop was attended by approximately 25 people representing a number of different groups. The information provided during this workshop was extremely helpful to a number of these groups. The networking opportunities for the groups was also an important aspect of the workshop. Plantings in Soper Creek valley along the pathway from the Visual Arts Centre north in partnership with the Planning Services Department World Town Planning Day event and Bowmanville High School students. Sponsorship of a workshop for municipal staff from throughout the Region of Durham regarding private wells and septic systems and their impact on the environment. The workshop was provided by Dr. Mary Jane Conboy of the Well Wise Centre which opened in Orono early in 2007. The intent of this workshop was to educate municipal staff (building and planning) to ensure consistent messages are provided across the Region to residents on wells and septic systems. Provided funding for the lumber for Boardwalk at Courtice Millennium Trail in partnership with Courtice Secondary School students. The students constructed the boardwalk in sections, in shop class, and then assembled it on site. 2007 Plantings at Wilmot Creek Nature Area in partnership with the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Committee, Engineering Services and the St. Stephen's Catholic High School students. Funding of the lumber for a continuation of the Boardwalk at Courtice Millennium Trail in partnership with Courtice Secondary School students. The students constructed the boardwalk in sections, in shop class, and then assembled it on site. This project was part of a much larger project that included the Courtice Lions Club and a Trillium Grant. Funding of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Rangers for a week of their time to assist with projects in Clarington. The 5 rangers worked under the direction of a crew leader, with supplies and training from MNR. The Operations Department provided on site direction, for the pulling of Phramagites in the Black/Farewell Creek wetland areas for 2 days. The remaining days were under the direction of the Manager of Park Development and included one day at the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area creating woodchip walkways; one day with Rev. Frank Lockhart from Valleys 2000 in the Bowmanville Creek removing dead trees and creating paths, and one day with Courtice Lions working on stream clean-up and boardwalk construction in the Courtice Millennium trails.