HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnv - 2015-01-22 - IF3 - KNAP
To:Environmental Committee Members
Subject:Kitchener Natural Areas Program (KNAP) Liaison
Kitchener Natural Areas Program Liaison
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 a community-based stewardship
program. The goals of the program are to: engage the community in stewardship
projects, educate people about Kitchener’s natural areas and create opportunities for
people to experience nature in the city. In its first two years the program created more
than 6,000 stewardship and education hours, and made contact with 2,250 people in
the community. Activities may include tree planting, invasive species control, ecological
restoration, natural area cleanups and nature walks.
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.
IF3 - 1
Kitchener Natural Areas Program Liaison (Cont’d)
In general the Environmental Assessment liaison will be responsible for the
following:
1. The liaison will attend all KNAP meetings (not more than 4 per year).
2. The liaison will provide a brief update after each KNAP meeting to the
Environmental Committee.
3. The liaison will inform Environmental Committee members on KNAP stewardship
working days so that members have the opportunity to sign-up to participate in
activities of their interest.
IF3 - 2