HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnv - 2013-01-24 - KNAP Liaison (2013 & 2014)Date:January 8, 2013
To:Environmental Committee Members
Subject:Kitchener Natural Areas Program (KNAP) Liaison (2013 and 2014)
Volunteers complement and support the work of staff accomplishing important tasks that would
not otherwise be done, and support programs that could cease to exist without their
participation.
Volunteers bring a wide variety of skills, knowledge and experience with them, all of which
combine to strengthen the organization. Therefore, the City strives to provide volunteers with
meaningful work that suits their skills and goes beyond mere job shadowing, as well as a
rewarding and challenging community-oriented volunteer experience for all those interested in
the goal of promoting sustainable communities in an urban environment.
In general an Environmental Committee liaison will:
Serve as a communication link between the Committee and a particular Sub-committee,
Taskforce and/or Working Group;
Provide guidance, support and advice when/where appropriate;
Assist with research, activities, report preparation and correspondence when needed.
If required, they will attend the appropriate Standing Committee meeting to present the
Committee’s recommendation; and,
Maintain a positive working relationship with the other volunteers.
Kitchener Natural Areas Program (KNAP)
Kitchener's Natural Areas Program (KNAP) is an environmental program that is focused on the
stewardship of natural areas in our community. This program is funded and delivered by the City
of Kitchener. KNAP was created in 2006 with the Kitchener-Waterloo Field Naturalists and
Waterloo Stewardship Network as partners. The City of Kitchener has also recently partnered
with Evergreen to further develop this program. The goals of KNAP are:
Engage the community in environmental stewardship projects.
Educate people about Kitchener's natural areas.
Create opportunities for people to experience nature in the city.
Kitchener has more than 850 hectares of natural area, ranging in size from 1 hectare to areas
greater than 50 hectares. There are more than 75 natural areas in the city that make up 65% of
the City’s park system. In our natural areas you can find; old growth trees, rare and endangered
species, wetlands and cold water streams. They are valuable and important places providing
social, economic and environmental benefits to the community. Dominated by native vegetation
these areas include meadows, waterways, wetlands and woodlands.
In general the Kitchener Natural Areas Program Liaison will be responsible
for:
1.
The liaison will inform the Committee on upcoming KNAP events and stewardship
working days so that members have the opportunity to sign-up to participate in activities
of their interest.
