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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSD-005-10Leading the Way ~~~~~ REPORT PLANNING SERVICES Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Date: Monday January 4, 2010 1°~~so ~ u~~''`~ ~ G p ~ ~ ~~ 9~ ~° Report #: PSD-005-10 File #: PLN 17.1.6 By-law #: Subject: ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP 2009 PROGRAM UPDATE RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report PSD-005-10 be received for information. Submitted by: ~ Reviewed by~r`~`~`~~ " -- '~- Dav' . Crome, MCIP, RPP Franklin Wu Direc or, Planning Services Chief Administrative Officer FUDJC/df November 11, 2009 CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-0830 REPORT NO.: PSD-005-10 1.0 BACKGROUND PAGE 2 1.1 Since 2002, Couhcil 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 during 2009 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 and/or 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 2009 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 (17 year olds) and a project captain. The MNR Rangers assisted the Courtice Lions at the Millennium Trails by clearing the creek of debris and spreading woodchips on the trail. They worked with our Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Advisory Committee to build a new woodchip trail through the east woodlot. They assisted Valleys 2000 with mulching the butterFly garden and tree removal in the Bowmanville Valley. In addition they worked on the removal of Phramagites from wetland areas in the Black/Farewell Creek watershed. These projects were coordinated by the Operations and Engineering Services Departments. Two planting projects were done in Courtice this year. In the spring buffer plantings were undertaken between the Nantucket condos and the Rob Pointek Skate Park. It included native trees and shrubs with an emphasis on coniferous planting. In the late fall native trees and shrubs were planted in the Black Creek valley between the Nantucket condos and Hwy. 2 along the creek. The planting projects have been done by Courtice Secondary School students. The goal of all the planting projects is to increase/restore the diversity of native plants in the Black Creek area. REPORT NO.: PSD-005-10 PAGE 3 3.0 CONCLUSION 3.1 There has been good response to the grant program, to date over $32,000 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 The 2009 projects totalled $10,040.00. Staff hope to continue to maintain the environmental stewardship program in the coming year although the funding levels will be reduced. Staff Contact: Faye Langmaid Attachments: Attachment 1 -Stewardship Projects 2003-2008 Attachmentl To Report PSD-005-10 Previous Stewardship Projects 2003-2008 2008 Funding of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Rangers for a week of their time to assist with projects in Clarington. 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 path trimming/clean up, and one day with Courtice Lions working on stream clean-up and boardwalk construction in the Courtice Millennium. trails. 2007 Funding of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Rangers for a week of their time to assist with projects in Clarington. 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 creating paths, and one day with Courtice Lions working on stream clean-up and boardwalk construction in the Courtice Millennium trails. 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. 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 were 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. 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. 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. 2003 Plantings ih the Bowmanville Valley along the pathway from Spry Avenue north. In-kind labour provided by Planning Services Staff and Valleys 2000.