HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-06-027 - Friends of Kitchener's Natural Areas - A Collaborative Stewardship & Education Program
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Community Services
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Report To:
Date of Meeting:
Submitted By:
Prepared By:
Ward(s) Involved:
Date of Report:
Report No.:
Subject:
Community Services Committee
March 6, 2006
Ken Currier, Director of Operations
David Schmitt, MES; Urban Forest Technologist (2891)
City Wide
February 20, 2006
CSD-06-027
"FRIENDS OF KITCHENER'S NATURAL AREAS" A
COLLABORATIVE STEWARDSHIP & EDUCATION
PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION:
For information only.
BACKGROUND:
Kitchener's public natural areas are a significant and irreplaceable resource. With more than 75
natural areas in the City's park and open space system they account for more than 65% of the
total park system (e.g. Breithaupt Park, Natchez Woods, Homer Watson Park, Topper Woods,
Westheights Park, Monarch Woods). Combined, the City has more than 800 hectares of natural
area. Many of these areas are rich in natural heritage (e.g. Provincially Significant Wetlands,
Environmental Sensitive Policy Areas) and bio-diversity (e.g. rare species, old growth trees,
uncommon\high quality habitat).
The importance and benefits of natural areas to the community is well recognized. An
Environics survey in 2001 found that over 80% of the urban residents in Southern Ontario
surveyed stated that woodlots\forests in southern Ontario were very important. The survey also
identified a high level of public use; with over 70% of respondents stating they visit treed/natural
areas at least once a month with the primary activity being walking. Kitchener's own surveys of
its residents have also identified the environment and natural areas as an important community
issue. This strong public support for urban natural areas can be understood when one considers
the scientific research which shows there are significant, and measurable social, environmental
and economic benefits of urban natural areas. For many people urban natural areas are places
where they can experience nature in the city and which provide health\spiritual benefits.
Since the 1990's there has been a growing recognition of the importance and value of
Kitchener's natural areas. In 1992, the Strategic Plan for the Environment identified natural and
recreational amenity areas as one of the functional areas for environmental initiatives, along
with the need for environmental education and public awareness. The 1990 Leisure Facilities
Master Plan identified the increasing importance of natural areas in the City, along with the
Report No: CSD-06-027
recognition that natural area management requires different skills and knowledge than
traditional park management. The current Leisure Facilities Master Plan, includes
Recommendation 16 - Natural Areas Policy. This recommendation identifies the need to
develop policies and strategies for Kitchener's natural areas with a focus on conserving and
managing this resource, while at the same time providing opportunities for appropriate leisure
experiences. During the 2006 Capital Budget Process, Council approved a long-term funding
program for natural areas that will start in 2009.
In 1992, Council passed a resolution that Community Services manage its natural areas, and in
1995 the Department developed a program for the long term conservation and management of
its woodlands. A key issue identified in this process was the need for public education and
participation in managing Kitchener's natural areas.
REPORT:
Community Services staff have been working with other partners since 2004 to develop a
stewardship and education program for Kitchener's natural areas. In the fall of 2004 a
collaborative grant application was made to The Ontario Trillium Foundation. The three
collaborative members for the application were: the Kitchener-Waterloo Field Naturalists (lead
non-profit organization), the Waterloo Stewardship Network and the City of Kitchener. In an
earlier report (CRPS-04-067) Council, through a recommendation from the Environmental
Committee, supported moving forward with this grant application and the idea of developing a
stewardship and education program for Kitchener's natural areas.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation approved the grant application and has provided $52,000 in
funding over two years. The purpose of this report is to update Council on this program and to
make it aware of the numerous activities that are now being planned for this year. The program
started in January 2006 with the hiring of a University of Waterloo co-op student who is working
out of Community Services. Over the two years this co-op position (Stewardship & Education
Co-ordinator) will be the primary person developing and running this program.
In addition to the three collaborative members, other current partners include the: Regional
Municipality of Waterloo, Grand River Conservation Authority, University of Waterloo -
Environmental Studies, Ontario Nature, and Kitchener's Environmental Committee. As the
program develops a key goal is to develop contacts with, and engage the community. This will
include individuals, community groups \ neighbourhood associations, schools, and business.
The Stewardship and Education Program has three primary objectives:
1. Educate people about:
a. urban natural areas
b. how to live adjacent to natural areas and minimize their footprint
c. appropriate and low impact leisure activities within natural areas
2. Create opportunities for people to experience nature in the City
3. Engage the community in urban natural area stewardship.
Over the course of the two years of funding provided by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the
Collaborative Members and their partners have committed to achieving, at a minimum, the
following:
o Create 300 to 500 stewardship volunteer hours in year one and 500 to 800 hours in year
two.
o Hold at least 6 to 10 public nature walks over the two years.
o Develop 1 or 2 interpretive trails where residents can experience and learn about nature.
Report No: CSD-06-027
o Development of 8 to 10 educational fact sheets (e.g. Kitchener's Natural Heritage &
Biodiversity, Living beside a Natural Area), that will be available in a pdf/web based, and
printed format. Two of these fact sheets will be distributed to all of the residents that live
adjacent to one of Kitchener's natural areas.
o Development of a yearly newsletter on Kitchener's Natural Areas (pdf/web based), which
inform people about the program, upcoming events, and include feature articles.
o Increase the level of public awareness and stewardship for at least 5 of Kitchener's
natural areas.
o Development of a web page on Kitchener's web site that will act as the primary point of
contact\source of information for the program. This website will include: contact
information, fact sheets, yearly newsletters, maps, pdt's, etc.
o Link natural area monitoring program (under development) to education and stewardship
program.
o Develop and hold an urban natural area leadership volunteer workshop.
o Development of a communications plan, and share information about this program with
other municipalities and organizations.
Since January significant progress has been made in developing this program. By the end of
this year it is expected that 15 to 20 stewardship\education events will have been held. These
events will engage individuals interested in Kitchener's natural areas, school and community
groups, and residents\businesses that live adjacent to these natural areas. Programs will range
from the development of a Natural Areas Watch Program to stewardship\restoration activities
where people can get involved. Education in the first year will include the development of
programs for different age groups (e.g. natural area awareness\games Grades 2 to 6), the
development of natural area fact sheets, an interactive web site, and the development of an
interpretative walk within one of Kitchener's natural areas.
A number of activities are being planned for this spring, and during Earth Week. This program
and the activities during the month of April are also a part of Kitchener's larger effort for Earth
Week. The programs Official Launch will occur on Saturday, April 29th at Homer Watson Park.,
one of Kitchener's largest and most valuable natural areas. The goal for the day is to attract 50
to 75 people from the community. To achieve this goal a range of activities are being planned,
including:
Official Launch
Information \ Display Area
o Habitat Restoration \ Tree Planting
o Natural Area Hikes \ Games (Homer Watson Natural Heritage, Kids\Family Hike)
o Natural Area Litter Cleanup
( A draft schedule of the days events is provided at the end of this report.)
Other events are also being planned for the spring, summer and fall of 2006. These include a
smaller activity day being held on Saturday, April 22nd at Breithaupt Park. This event is directed
to existing natural area volunteers, and will also act as a training session for Volunteer Leaders
for the Official Launch and future event days. Plans are also underway to develop four
stewardship and education activities with schools in the spring. Along with two evening nature
walks in May that will focus on the spring wildflowers and the migrating birds. By the end of the
year events will have occurred within each Ward. During the summer and fall of 2006 work will
be focused on developing links and connections with other community associations\groups that
have an interest in Kitchener's natural areas. This will assist in developing additional
stewardship opportunities for 2007 (A summary of the draft activity list for 2006 is attached to
this report).
Report No: CSD-06-027
Community Services is also working on a number of other related projects (e.g. Ecological
Monitoring Framework for Kitchener's Natural Areas, Natural Area Management Plan
Framework). These projects will provide more opportunities for education and stewardship
within the City. As all of these programs develop additional information will be provided to
Council.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
In addition to the $52,000 of funding provided by The Ontario Trillium Foundation, the City of
Kitchener has committed $70,000 of existing capital to this project. City staff will also be
providing contributions in kind in terms of staff time. Most staff resources will come from
Community Services (e.g. Volunteer Resources, Communications, and Operations), and other
Departments (e.g. Webmaster, GIS). The other partners are also providing contributions in kind.
The long term capital funding approved by Council for natural areas will allow the continuation of
this program in 2009.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Communication is a key part of this program. Since the early stages of planning
Communications has been involved in this project, and a communication plan has been
developed.
Ken Currier
Director of Operations
Dave Schmitt
Urban Forest Technologist
AP