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Home My WebLink AboutCSD-09-009 - New FTE - Natural Area Co-ordinator1 KITC~i ER Community Services Report To: Community Services Committee Date of Meeting: February 9, 2009 Submitted By: Pauline Houston, General Manager Community Services Prepared By: Dan Ritz, Supervisor of Design & Development Ward(s) Involved: All Date of Report: January 26, 2009 Report No.: CSD-09-009 Subject: NEW FTE -NATURAL AREA COORDINATOR RECOMMENDATION: That the hiring of one (1) new full time Natural Area Coordinator position in 2009 be approved, and that the full cost of this position be funded from the Natural Area Stewardship\Conservation capital program (Project Number 62091004). BACKGROUND: In 2006 the Kitchener-Waterloo Field Naturalists, Waterloo Stewardship Network and City received a $52,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (+ $70,000 contribution from the City) to develop a natural area stewardship program. In its first two years (2006 & 7) Kitchener's Natural Areas Program (KNAP) made contact with more than 2,500 people and created more than 7,000 stewardship and educational hours. Activities included nature walks, stewardship work days and larger community events (KNAP Earth Day). Participants included individuals, families, community groups, and schools. Educational material developed includes KNAP's Factsheets (see example -attachments 1a & 1b), Newsletter, Natural Area Park Series, and website. Due to the lack of staff resources the KNAP program was paused in 2008 until the approved funding started in 2009. In 2006 Council approved the creation of a new ten year capital account, identified as Natural Area StewardshiplConservation. This new capital account begins in 2009 at a value of $169,000 and increases over the ten years reaching $202,000 in 2017. The 2006 issue paper for this capital account identified that part of the funding from this account would be used to cover the cost of hiring a Natural Area Coordinator (or Environmental Stewardship Coordinator). This position will be responsible for the ongoing development\operation of KNAP along with other activities related to conserving Kitchener's natural areas. This staffing request had been contemplated as part of the 2009 capital budget discussions, but was inadvertently omitted from the final budget day when other new staff requests were put forward. Report No.: CSD-09-009 REPORT: page 2 Kitchener's natural areas are highly valued and used by the community. Natural lands account for more than 65% (900 hectares) of the City's park system. This irreplaceable resource provides significant social, economic and environmental benefits. Since the establishment of Breithaupt Park in 1912, Kitchener has a long and proud history of protecting its natural areas (e.g. Stanley Park Conservation Authority, Monarch Woods, Steckle Woods, Homer Watson Park, and Huron Natural Area). While the protection of these areas is often viewed as the most important action, their long term conservation for future generations is of equal importance. Each time Kitchener adds a new natural area to its park system the Community Services Department falls further behind in its responsibilities managing this valuable resource. The Natural Area Stewardship \ Conservation Capital Account is an important step in the City dedicating long term funding to its natural areas. It will provide the necessary funding required for Kitchener's Natural Areas Program, and provide the funding for a full time Natural Area Coordinator position which is required to run the KNAP program, and other stewardship activities. The Natural Area Stewardship \ Conservation Capital Account, and the request for this new position are consistent with strategic priorities at the corporate and department level, including: • A Plan for a Healthy Kitchener • Strategic Plan for the Environment • Leisure Facilities Master Plan • CSD Strategic Plan & Master Action Plan • Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The full cost of this new full time position is estimated to be $75,108 (Grade 17 -Level 1 - Includes Benefits). The positions' full cost is to be funded from the Natural Area Stewardship\Conservation Ten Year Capital Account and no new additional costs to the 2009- 2018budgets are required to fund this position. COMMUNICATIONS: N/A CONCLUSION: The hiring of a full time Natural Area Coordinator is directly related to the success of building on Kitchener's Natural Areas Program (KNAP), and conserving Kitchener's natural areas. If this new full time position is not approved CSD will not be in a position to support natural area stewardship, and it may be necessary to end the successful and growing KNAP program. Jim Witmer, Director of Operations Dan Ritz, Supervisor of Design & Development Report No.: CSD-09-009 tcl~e~er's Natural Areas Program page 3 ATTACHMENT #1 (a) What is KNAP? Did You Know? Kitchener has a natural area stewardship program. You can get involved. 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 has created more than 6,OOD stewardship and education hours, and made contact with 2,25D people in the community. Environmental Stewardship Stewardship activities provide opportunities for individuals, groups, and schools to become actively involved in conserving ICitchener's natural areas. Projects vary from one hour sessions, to long-term projects. Examples of stewardship activities include: • Natural Area 1 Creek Cleanups • Ecological Restoration Projects 1 Ecological Monitoring Tree Planting • Natural Area Stewards Environmental Education Educating people about Kitchener's natural areas is a key focus of KNAP. This is being achieved through a number of initiatives, including: The White Pine is a newsletter that provides information on KNAP achievements, events, and other interesting facts. KNAP Factsheets provide information on specific topics that help readers understand, enjoy and reduce impact on natural areas. KNAP Website is the primary source for information on this program. Newsletters, factsheets and park series information, as well as upcoming event details, can be downloaded. www.kitchener.calknap Report No.: CSD-09-009 page 4 ATTACHMENT #1(b) 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 iUtchener's natural areas and create opportunities for people to experience nature in the city. In its first two years the program has created more than 6,000 stewardship and education hours, and made contact with 2,250 people in the community. Environmental 5tewardshi p Stewardship activities provide opportunities for individuals, groups, and schools to become actively involved in conserving Kitchener's natural areas. Projects vary from one hour sessions, to long-term projects. Examples of stewardship activities include: Natural Area 1 Creek Cleanups Ecological Restoration Projects 1 Ecological Monitoring Tree Planting Natural Area Stewards Environmental Education Educating people about Kitchener's natural areas is a key focus of KNAP. This is being achieved through a number of initiatives, including: The White Pine is a newsletter that provides information on KNAP achievements, events, and other interesting facts. 6E A GOOD STEWARD If you have an interest in nature, KNAP is a great opportunity for you to get involved. Its an opportunity to learn, have fun, meet like-minded people, and do your part by volunteering. Do your part -Get involved! The goal of Kitchener's Natural Areas Program (KNAP) is to engage the community in environmental stewardship, educate people about Kitchener's natural areas, and create opportunities to experience nature in the city. For More Information Contact Phone: 519-741-340 x3349 Email: knap@kitchener.ca Website: www.kitchener.calknap Collaborative Members 1 -~~; '4 I i pN~ *~ ot,4~ ~. nyywaa~~ow ~ e~ r,•Ow~ov