3.0 Land Stewardship
3.1 Official Plan – Goals and Objectives
A reoccurring goal in the Official Plan of the Town of Collingwood is to determine objectives for land use, transportation, servicing and community improvement policies while taking into account social, economic, and environmental constraints on the physical growth of the town. The aim is to create and sustain the best possible living environment for all, including present, future, and visiting people, while developing a pattern for future growth. Because Collingwood is found so close to the Greater Holden Horseshoe (GHH), there is potential for an increased demand of residential development and development of local attractions. There will be a need for more homes, businesses, roads, …show more content…
The initiative was funded from the proceeds of Feast in the Forest held by Kolopore Springs and the Ontario Trillium Grant which was won by BMWT. The objective was to educate on environmental issues and watershed health, so landowners would be capable to recognize areas on their property in need of restoration. These areas could be thin forest lines, degrading buffers, and erosion along streambanks. Over the course of six months, members of BMWT and the Silver Creek Stewardship Initiative met with 44 out of 104 landowners and assessed 49 properties. Topics included ecology and managements practices focusing on septic systems, wells, invasive seasons, fertilizers and water conservation. It was important to explain impacts and recreational activities can have on their property, and provide alternatives that are specific to each landowner. During the first week of October 2016, as a part of the Silver Creek Stewardship Initiative, 353 trees, shrubs, and wildflowers were planted along Silver Creek leading into the wetlands that will help to stabilize banks, ultimately improving the habitat for wildlife and sustaining the nutrient levels. Along with the addition of the flora, one kilogram of wildflower seed was scattered along the eroding Escarpment banks which will also help minimize erosion, …show more content…
The location is water adjacent which increases the overall value of value and appeal of the property, especially for housing developments. Geologically, the dense bedrock directly below the surface provides a solid foundation with few erosion issues, decreasing the chances of shifting in the future. The shallow-sloping limestone makes building easier as steep inclines are not apparent. Further development and access in this area affects both biotic and abiotic components of the wetland. The area provides habitat for endangered species that would be greatly impacted through increased noise from pedestrian and vehicle traffic, along with the decrease and fragmentation of their natural habitat. There is also a greater risk for the introduction of invasive terrestrial species as the more movement from people and equipment (during the construction stage especially) and soil disturbance. By compacting the soils to build, the permeability level would be insufficient for how much rainwater the area sees and overall runoff would cause significant more erosion
3.1 Official Plan – Goals and Objectives
A reoccurring goal in the Official Plan of the Town of Collingwood is to determine objectives for land use, transportation, servicing and community improvement policies while taking into account social, economic, and environmental constraints on the physical growth of the town. The aim is to create and sustain the best possible living environment for all, including present, future, and visiting people, while developing a pattern for future growth. Because Collingwood is found so close to the Greater Holden Horseshoe (GHH), there is potential for an increased demand of residential development and development of local attractions. There will be a need for more homes, businesses, roads, …show more content…
The initiative was funded from the proceeds of Feast in the Forest held by Kolopore Springs and the Ontario Trillium Grant which was won by BMWT. The objective was to educate on environmental issues and watershed health, so landowners would be capable to recognize areas on their property in need of restoration. These areas could be thin forest lines, degrading buffers, and erosion along streambanks. Over the course of six months, members of BMWT and the Silver Creek Stewardship Initiative met with 44 out of 104 landowners and assessed 49 properties. Topics included ecology and managements practices focusing on septic systems, wells, invasive seasons, fertilizers and water conservation. It was important to explain impacts and recreational activities can have on their property, and provide alternatives that are specific to each landowner. During the first week of October 2016, as a part of the Silver Creek Stewardship Initiative, 353 trees, shrubs, and wildflowers were planted along Silver Creek leading into the wetlands that will help to stabilize banks, ultimately improving the habitat for wildlife and sustaining the nutrient levels. Along with the addition of the flora, one kilogram of wildflower seed was scattered along the eroding Escarpment banks which will also help minimize erosion, …show more content…
The location is water adjacent which increases the overall value of value and appeal of the property, especially for housing developments. Geologically, the dense bedrock directly below the surface provides a solid foundation with few erosion issues, decreasing the chances of shifting in the future. The shallow-sloping limestone makes building easier as steep inclines are not apparent. Further development and access in this area affects both biotic and abiotic components of the wetland. The area provides habitat for endangered species that would be greatly impacted through increased noise from pedestrian and vehicle traffic, along with the decrease and fragmentation of their natural habitat. There is also a greater risk for the introduction of invasive terrestrial species as the more movement from people and equipment (during the construction stage especially) and soil disturbance. By compacting the soils to build, the permeability level would be insufficient for how much rainwater the area sees and overall runoff would cause significant more erosion