Natural Environment Theme Team

Without our wonderful lakes, rivers, forests and other natural spaces, none of us would want to, or in fact could, live here. The Natural Environment Team explored ways to protect our natural spaces and resources, and encourage appropriate use and appreciation of that which makes the Highlands so special.

Notes from November 28th, 2006, 7:00 pm Meeting

In Attendance:

Mike McPhail, Howard Robinson, Cliff Bennett, Kathleen Sullivan, Ted Mosquin, Jeff Ward, Mike Yee, Alfred Von Mirbach

General Comments:

■ There was concern raised regarding moving ahead principles and project without a clear

vision/mission statement for the study as a whole and this Theme Team

■ There is a need to have clear quantifiable targets in order to be able to quantify progress/success

Big Picture Issues

■ Jurisdiction issues (e.g. there are 12,000 acres of Community Forest in the Highlands, but they are

managed by the County

■ Regarding the vision, some ideas put forward included:

■ dealing with the resources we have in a sustainable way

■ protecting and restoring habitat

■ protect rivers and lake" (the last based on the notion that much of what gives the Highlands its

character are related to its rivers and lakes)

■ strength through biodiversity

■ Do we need to start by identifying what's "wrong" in the Highlands

■ There is a need to distinguish between approaches to crown lands and community forests, and

approaches to private land, where there focus to date by groups like the Stewardship Council have been almost (random acts of stewardship)

■ Ontario Nature's Greenway Strategy may be worth a look

■ Need to take a stance on limits to growth, in light of hwy 7 twinning

■ Economic/poverty issues are key - cannot expect certain "sustainable" actions from residents who

are just trying to put food on the table

Potential Projects/Outcomes

■ A series of 5 or 6 nature sanctuaries, linked if at all possible

■ Access community service requirements of student (e.g. mass shoreline plantings)

■ Build on shoreline demonstration site started by Mary vandenHoff

■ Offer MAPLE a location in the Highlands to set up, as they are a great resource and are having to

relocate

■ Need to shift new development away from sensitive locations (rivers) to locations away from rivers

(e.g. Balderson)

■ Need to educate people of WHY sustainable values are important

■ Need to engage Mary Kirkham in a discussion of how the OP currently reflects sustainability, how to

improve it, and how to make sure its words translate to action

Actions

■ Alfred to get team vision highlights from 2020 report, Lanark County Strategic Planning report and

Official Plan

■ Cliff and others to pull together any relevant vision-type comments from other studies (e.g.

Greenway)

■ Members to review notes from initial community meetings and the above-mentioned material to prep

for next meeting

■ Member to think of other people they would like to have on this team, or invite to attend any

subsequent meeting for their input