Greenlands Centre Wellington Community Visions Workshop

Natural Areas

What Is Your Vision For Natural Areas In TCW?

• A geographically linked network of natural areas that:
• Is continuous throughout all of Centre Wellington.
• Extends beyond Centre Wellington into neighbouring municipalities.
• Includes degrees/varieties of natural areas.
• A well-organized approach that includes:
• Preservation.
• Conservation.
• Rehabilitation of existing areas.
• Should involve as much improvement (rehabilitation; restoration) as is possible rather than simply reducing negative impact.
• The vision includes:
• Documentation of existing resources
• Evaluation of significance of natural areas
• Sustainable maintenance over the long term involving:
• Working with landowners to avoid real or perceived negative economic input
• Assisting (partnership) with agricultural community to sustain economic productivity without impact on the environment.

Where Would You Like To See Natural Areas Protected?

• Generally need to protect and improve the most we cannot simply minimize negative impact, including encouraging residents to naturalize individual lots/properties.
• Due to lack of inventory/data need to prioritize natural areas in interim:
• Use what we do know
• Where we don’t know – initially use general information – obtain detailed inventory over time
• Identify function of protected areas
• Determine who owns (private owner) natural areas that need protection
• Identify mechanisms to maintain viability of private natural areas 
• Tax incentives
• Zoning / land use controls
• Collective ownership

What Is Required To Protect Natural Areas In TCW?

• Need to develop a “PLAN”
• University resources for information (inventory)
• Consolidate information/resources/opportunities
• Recognize adaptation of natural areas
• Education and awareness is a key concept
• Schools
• Increase exposure to natural areas for teachers and students (i.e. Field trips)
• Volunteering and hands-on involvement
• Community service for student curriculum
• Public Involvement
• Volunteering
• Awards program (recognition)
• Improve exposure and access to natural areas for residents
• Information kits
• Landowners
• Interacting with groups – land owner contacts
• Landowner information
• Partnerships (i.e. university /private)
• Identifying financial benefits
• Land Use policy
• Financial Incentives
• Taxation
• Conservation easements
• Exploit existing grants
• Local land trusts

How Does Community Benefit From Natural Areas?

• Environmental
• Water quality
• Air quality
• Increased bio-diversity
• Wildlife maintenance
• Financial
• Increased property values
• Better productivity from agri-community
• Improved development quality
• Improved marketability
• Intrinsic Value
• Aesthetics
• Mental health
• Physical health
• Maintains environmental balance
• Community
• Sustains community (institutions/development)
• Educational value of natural areas
• Relationship (family) benefits
• Note:  Success in one small area will influence other areas to follow!

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