Policy Toolkit: How to protect natural areas in your community

A Guide to Municipal Land Use Planning for Community Conservation Groups

Ontario Nature is working on a Greenway initiative that will ultimately achieve a protected web of natural cores and corridors across southern Ontario. One of the ways Ontario Nature hopes to build support for the Greenway is by promoting the ‘greening’ of municipal land use policies and practices.

This guide is a compilation of resources designed to help your group protect natural areas in your community through your municipality’s land use planning process. Your work will help support Ontario Nature's Greenway.

Factsheets included in this guide:

• Official Plans (PDF 106k) - a summary of these municipally developed land use plans, including opportunities for public involvement
• The Planning Act (PDF 78k) - a summary of this overarching land use planning legislation
• Land Use Planning for Northern Ontario (PDF109k)- a summary of the policies that affect municipalities in northern Ontario
• Ontario's Woodlands Under Threat (PDF117k)- information on Ontario Nature's significant woodlands guidelines
• Ontario Nature's Woodlands Factsheets
  • Cores and Corridors – The Importance of a Green System in Southern Ontario (PDF 394k)
  • Introducing Old Growth – The Ultimate Forest (PDF 755k)
  • Ten Ways to Save Your Local Woods (and Water!) (PDF 414k)
  • Forest Fragmentation (PDF 170k)
  • Urban Forests: An Important Part of Our Natural Heritage (PDF 102k)
  • Making the Connection Between Woodlands and Water (PDF 259k)
• A Greenprint for Action (PDF 172k) - outlines steps your group can take to protect areas proposed for development
• About Making a Delegation to a Municipal Council or Standing Committee of Council (PDF 127k) - describes the process for making your voice heard by your municipal council
• Influencing Decision-Makers for Nature Protection (PDF 143k) - guidelines to get the type of decision you want
• Writing a News Release (PDF 129k) - tips for making your news releases stand out
• Effective Letter-Writing (PDF 143k) - tips for writing persuasive letters to politicians

Ontario Nature will be happy to provide letters of support to groups working to "green" their municipal official plans. Please contact us for more information.