BANCROFT – On June 27, 2023, the Ontario Land Trust Alliance (OLTA) celebrates the provincial government’s additional $14 million commitment to support protection of natural spaces across Ontario. Ontario Land Trust Alliance (OLTA) joined Hon. David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and Nature Conservancy of Canada for this announcement.
The province has provided $14M additional investment to the Greenlands Conservation Partnership (GCP) to conserve areas of significant ecological importance in Ontario, and promote the importance of healthy, natural spaces. Greenlands Conservation Partnership funds are matched by OLTA and OLTA’s partners through individual donations, foundation support, and by other levels of government. OLTA is pleased to see that the impact of community land conservation is being recognized and continues to grow.
“We’ve seen widespread success over the last three years by working in partnership with organizations like the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Ontario Land Trust Alliance to increase our impact and create opportunities to protect nature. That’s why we’re increasing our investment in the Greenlands Conservation Partnership program. Together, we’re protecting sensitive natural areas and ensuring a healthy environment Ontarians can enjoy, now and in the future.” – Hon. David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
“In the first three years of the program, local and community land trusts created 44 new projects that conserve sensitive ecosystems and protect habitats for 85 species at risk, including 23 new properties that provide public access and increase the availability of green spaces for Ontarians to enjoy. Partners of this program, including OLTA, will build on the real measurable benefits already seen, preserving more natural areas of ecological importance and promoting community connection to these natural spaces.” – Alison Howson, Executive Director, Ontario Land Trust Alliance.
About
Ontario Land Trust Alliance (OLTA) focuses on providing community, knowledge sharing and support to land trusts across Ontario. It empowers and supports highly effective, well-governed land trusts that engage their communities to protect forests, wetlands, nature, water sources and provide natural climate solutions.
OLTA builds capacity through training and educational programs, connecting land trusts to each other, resources, and their communities, leading and supporting on-the-ground conservation work, sharing knowledge and best practices, reducing financial barriers to land conservation,
Quick Facts
- Since 2020, Ontario has invested $38 million to leverage private contributions to the Greenlands Conservation Partnership with the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Ontario Land Trust Alliance.
- This provincial funding supports the securement of privately owned protected areas and their restoration and management. For every dollar of provincial funding provided through the Greenlands Conservation program, NCC and OLTA and land trust partners have matched it with approximately $5 from other conservation partners, including individual donors, foundations, and other levels of government.
- Through Ontario’s partnership with the Ontario Land Trust Alliance, the government has help protect properties with sixteen land trust organizations across the province.
To access the full News Release, click here.
For more information:
Visit: OLTA.ca
Contact: Alison Howson – OLTA Executive Director, 416-588-6582, [email protected]
