Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority Work on

Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority Work on Natural Heritage Strategy
May 2, 2014
All the work by: Ken Towle, Ecologist,
Mark Peacock, P. Eng. Director Watershed Services
Natural Heritage Documents
An Overview Item:
Source:
Description:
Natural Heritage System
Official Plan
Target Natural Heritage System
GRCA Natural Heritage Strategy
Conservation Athority Policies
Individual CA Policy Documents
Existing Natural Heritage Features as described in the Provincial Policy and
further refined by Official Plan Policies and expanded to include existing functional linkages
Recommends future natural heritage system based on modelling of system elements and functions
Policies to implement CA mandate with varying emphasis on natural heritage protection The GRCA Natural Heritage Strategy
• How GRCA should act in relation to terrestrial natural heritage issues
• Summarizes current conditions
• Outlines methodology and results for defining target natural heritage systems
• Identifies threats to natural heritage and makes recommendations for GRCA response
Natural Features Proximity
Urban Proximity
Total GRID
Interior Forest
Distance to Lake Ontario
Wetland Distance to Forest
Watercourse Proximity
Road Proximity
Forest Distance to Wetland
Landscape Value Surface
Histogram Analysis of Values
Existing Natural Cover 32.9%
ELC Final Raster Histogram
1,300,000
1,200,000
Number Cells (25m² / cell)
1,100,000
1,000,000
900,000
800,000
700,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Final Raster Score
50
55
60
65
70
Target Natural Cover 40.4%
ELC Final Raster Histogram
1,300,000
1,200,000
Number Cells (25m² / cell)
1,100,000
1,000,000
900,000
800,000
700,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Final Raster Score
50
55
60
65
70
Target Natural Cover 50.9%
ELC Final Raster Histogram
1,300,000
1,200,000
Number Cells (25m² / cell)
1,100,000
1,000,000
900,000
800,000
700,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Final Raster Score
50
55
60
65
70
Target Natural Heritage System Scenarios
Use of the Target Natural Heritage System
• Define priority areas for adding habitat (e.g. Forest) to the landscape to maintain biodiversity and increase ecological function
• Define priority areas for landowner contact and stewardship to build the target NHS
• Help with policy direction for municipal partners
• Define and quantify environmental impacts of development and potential mitigation opportunities
Municipality of Clarington Natural Heritage System Official Plan
• 2008 survey: abundance of green space a top priority
• 1996 OP very progressive Nat Heritage approach
• 2013 Discussion Paper
• Features vs Functions tension
• Expanded NHS : features expanded to include functional linkages –
recognizes modelled system
NHS Values Related to Climate Change
• Regulate local ambient temperatures
• Maintain and improve local and regional rainfall patterns
• Sequester carbon
• Allow for movement of wildlife and vegetation in response to changing climate conditions
Thank ‐ you
• Questions?