Biodiversity in Ontario’s Greenbelt

Published by: David Suzuki Foundation and partners
Authored by: Amber Cowie
Partners: Ontario Nature
ISBN: 978-1-897375-44-0

Cities, Biodiversity species at risk, Ontario, land use, policy and regulation, conservation, industry

Ontario’s Greenbelt is home to 78 of over 200 provincially listed species at risk in the province, like the bobolink, redside dace and Jefferson salamander. Since being established in 2005, the greenbelt has prevented conversion of natural and agricultural lands into sprawling residential development. Despite this early success, this report highlights the need to strengthen existing provincial policies and laws to address ongoing threats to the integrity of the greenbelt from pressures like road development and aggregate extraction.