Lakeside Park, Kitchener © spaceamoeba CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Kitchener, Ontario, April 12, 2022 – Ontario Nature and the City of Kitchener are pleased to announce that 20 properties (585 hectares) in Kitchener’s Natural Heritage System now qualify as protected areas, contributing to Canada’s target to conserve 25 percent of lands and waters by 2025. These sites are among the first municipal conservation lands in Ontario confirmed to be managed to the national standards for protected and conserved areas.
“Preserving and protecting our valued green spaces is a priority for the City of Kitchener, so it’s great to see the City’s hard work and dedication being recognized in this way,” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “Through the Official Plan, and the ongoing leadership and passion of our top-notch staff teams, we are committed to conserving and enhancing our green spaces, which contribute to the character of Kitchener and the quality of life of our residents.”
Kitchener’s natural heritage system is comprised of wetlands, woodlands, and valley lands that maintain biophysical diversity and ecological functions, support viable populations of indigenous species, and sustain local ecosystems.
“Ontario Nature congratulates the City of Kitchener on this significant achievement,” says Caroline Schultz, Executive Director at Ontario Nature. “Its strong policies and approaches to managing natural heritage ensure that biodiversity is protected for current and future generations.”
Recently, 2,132 hectares of municipal and conservation authority-managed lands across southern Ontario were added to Canada’s protected areas total, based on assessments conducted by Ontario Nature in partnership with five municipalities and two conservation authorities, with technical support from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.
“Our government is proud to support partners like Ontario Nature and municipalities towards our shared goal of conserving and expanding more natural areas. Protecting more green spaces, especially across urban areas, helps build climate change resiliency and flood protection for local communities as well as maintain habitats for a variety of species,” said David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “This is a great example of how partnerships across governments are working to protect and conserve our environment for all to enjoy today and for generations to come.”
Qualified protected areas in Kitchener include:
- Borden Wetland
- Briarfield Park
- Homer Watson Park
- Huron Natural Area
- Idlewood Park
- Lackner Woods
- Lakeside Park
- Laurentian Wetland
- Springmount Park-Idlewood Creek
- Steckle Woods
- Tilt’s Bush
- Topper Woods
- Brigadoon Woods
- Carisbrook Drive Natural Area
- Doon South Creek
- Grand River Natural Area – Sims Estate
- Grand River – Pioneer Tower Natural Area
- Kolb Park
- Natchez Woods
- Pinnacle Hill Natural Area
To learn more about Kitchener parks visit www.kitchener.ca/parksmap and to learn more about this process, visit ontarionature.org.
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For more information
John Hassell, Director of Communications and Engagement, Ontario Nature
johnh@ontarionature.org | 416-786-2171
Shawn Falcao, Manager, Corporate Communications
shawn.falcao@kitchener.ca