Toronto, May 01, 2025 (Globe Newswire) – The Greenbelt Foundation and the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation (Ormf) are pleased to announce the publication of the Eiche Ridges Moraine Trail strategy, which is intended to improve the ecological and tourism potential of OAK RIDGE Moraine Trail (Ormt).
In 1991 the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail Organizing Committee was convened to promote the idea of a moraine -wide hiking trail to connect people with the moraine and to preserve the natural landscapes along the route. At 268 km, the current Ormt is an incredible, yet undermined and unknown resource that offers access to Greenspace and an iconic landscape for communities along the moraine and the visitors of the region.
The implementation of Oak Ridges Moraine Trail's strategy will help ensure the long -term sustainability of the trail. The strategy has many overlapping goals, including the protection of the existing trail, the determination of a long -term preferred routing, commitment and education and the contribution to indigenous reconciliation and governance. By supporting the representation of the rights holders of the First Nations in Trail -Governance structures and the guarantee of continuous dialogue and engagement for Ormt activities, the trail will serve as a platform to create opportunities for its re -connection for the country and the possibilities for maintaining and participating in rights.
“The Greenbelt Foundation is obliged to preserve, protect and restore the natural, hydrological and ecological integrity of the OAK RIDGE Moraine, an important feature of Ontarios Greenbelt,” says Edward McDonnell, CEO of the Greenbelt Foundation. “This trail strategy will help create the basics for a sustainable and integrative trail experience for all users, and the possibility of emphasizing the oak combs Moraine unique ecological and cultural heritage.”
“The Moraine Trail of the oak combat is proof of decades of commitment by municipalities, landowners and organizations such as the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation. Your commitment has contributed to forming the trail in the remarkable feature that it is today.” I am incredibly happy about the opportunity to renew the vision and plan the future of the trail. This is an opportunity to build on this inheritance and ensure that the Orm Trail continues to inspire, combine and thrive generations. ”
The Orm Trail strategy is currently managed jointly by the OAK RIDGESTRAGE TRAIL Association (OLTA), Orm Land Trust, Orm Foundation and Greenbelt Foundation. Together with an external consulting group that represents several environmental and indigenous partners, these partners will work closely with municipal councils, nature conservation partners and provincial authorities to promote the trail strategy. Consulting group members include:
- Willie Popp, Station 4 City Council, municipality of Uxbridge (chairman)
- Karen Graham, President of the Oak Ridges Trail Association
- Susan Walmer, CEO by Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust
- Michael McDonald, CEO, Bruce Trail Conservancy
- Terri Leroux, director of parks, countries and commitment of the community, Credit Valley Conservation
- Deanna Cheriton, Senior Manager from Conservation Lands, Toronto and Conservation Authority region
- Mark Stabb, Program Director – Central Ontario East, Nature Conservancy of Canada
“I look forward to supporting the oak combat of the Greenbelt Foundation Moraine Trail strategy. This strategy is crucial for the preservation of the natural beauty and ecological integrity of oak combs Moraine, which to protect the trail and ensure that it is still an ecological asset for generations for generations, says Karen Graham, President, Eiche -Trail Association.
“I look forward to doing this advisory group because the importance of green areas has never been greater. I have always loved nature and this passion brought my family and me to Uxbridge – the Trail capital of Canada,” says Willie Popp, City Councilor of Ward 4, Township of Uxbridge. “The strategy of Oak Ridges Moraine Trail will not only expand access to nature for all Ontarian, but also emphasize the important role, play tourism and relaxation in maintaining beauty and the purpose of our green building.”
The next steps for implementing the Orm Trail Strategy include:
- Developing a constant governance model for the way, including the management of the right -wing books of the First Nations and other indigenous peoples
- Cover landowners as a real master of the trail
- Hosting of community events to present the new trail strategy and to get the feedback from the community members into a preferred trail route.
- Preparation of a preferred trail route with a user experience and an acceptance plan to guide the development goals of the traces.
- Development of a country insurance strategy for the implementation of the preferred trail route, including local knowledge and values.
“The Cambium Indigenous Professional Services (CIPS) team is enthusiastic to support the Greenbelt Foundation, since it performs important work to revive the oak combat Morain (Orm) and renovate the Trail strategy. The Orm is such a fundamental environmental feature that is a natural water filtration system that is a natural water filtration. Georgina Island First Nation, CIPS, coordinator of the environmental partnership. ”“ Since a large part of the Orms Trail (WTFN) leads, it is also known for the country's first nations and integrated their votes in this work, which are involved in the establishment of the WTFN champions, to support Support and guidelines for use towards reconciliation. ”
The Ormt strategy emphasizes the importance of strategic partnerships that promote sensible participation. Through cooperation with all government levels, nature conservation authorities and indigenous communities, the GBF and Ormf want to integrate the supportive political language into relevant planning documents, refine route alignment and standardize maintenance agreements in the entire trail. In addition, the strategy includes the development of a voluntary training program and an indigenous commitment program to support ongoing maintenance efforts.
The strategy of Oak Ridges Moraine Trail represents a significant step towards sustainable tourism, ecological maintenance and reconciliation with indigenous communities. To find out more, please visit: https://www.greenbelt.ca/oak_ridges_trail_strategy.
About the Greenbelt and the Greenbelt Foundation
The Greenbelt Foundation is the only organization that is only devoted to the guarantee of the green mind, which remains permanently, protected and wealthy. The foundation as an independent, non -profit organization receives core financing from the government of Ontario as well as public and private support to make strategic investments that improve and improve the natural and economic systems of the Greenbelt.
Since 2005, with the support of the province of Ontario and many partners, the foundation has financed investments in the related natural, agricultural and economic systems of the Greenbelt in order to ensure a functioning, flourishing Greenbelt for everyone.
Greenbelt's Greenbelt in Ontario is a first -class model for land use policy and extends over more than two million acres of natural landscapes, arable land and urban river stalle. You can find more information at: www.greenbelt.ca.
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