RESOURCES
Strategic Plan
Our Strategic Plan sets priorities and objectives for EcoPark System partner agencies to achieve by 2030 and a framework for tracking and reporting back on each of these objectives. The goals set out in this strategic plan were identified by the participating partner agencies as crucial for the development of the EcoPark System through 2030.
We invite participation in achieving these goals by a wide range of interested persons and groups, other orders of government, NGOs, and the private sector, including those already volunteering as the “Friends of the EcoPark System”.
Heritage Lands Management Plans
The six core EcoPark System Heritage Land areas are groupings with similar natural and cultural features based on existing Environmentally Significant/Sensitive Areas. Many parts of these natural lands are Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest or Provincially Significant Wetlands and are included within the provincial natural heritage system.
With support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, a Management Plan was completed for each EcoPark System heritage land. The management plans address:
Protection and sustainable use of natural and cultural heritage resources
Pressures and issues of concern identified by partner agencies, stakeholders and the public
Infrastructure creation, maintenance and decommissioning
Recreation, education and research opportunities that are compatible with preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the area.
Criteria and indicators for evaluation of the implementation and effectiveness of the management plan and an ongoing monitoring program to consistently collect supporting information.
These plans are being used by EcoPark System partners holistically to manage their individual properties. Inventory, Opportunities, and Issues reports for each heritage land have also been completed to provide a thorough inventory of the natural heritage, recreational and cultural resources of the partner-owned lands, and identifies their respective management issues.
Reports
Between 2007 and 2010, a research project to develop the concept of the EcoPark System was conducted. Two reports outlining the EcoPark System’s conservation and land management strategy were produced:
Research
These natural areas contain some of the most botanically rich lands in Canada and provide habitat for many important bird, reptile, amphibian, fish and insect species as well as many species at risk. Our partners work together to identify knowledge gaps and collaborate on research projects.
