The Regional Municipality of York Interdepartmental Communication on Healthy Forests and Healthy Communities

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1 The Regional Municipality of York Interdepartmental Communication on Healthy Forests and Healthy Communities Presented by: Heidi Breen and Carol Karner

2 Presentation overview Background o Who and where we are o York Region Forestry o York Region Public Health Healthy Living Division Health Protection Division Internal partnership Communication opportunities Benefits What s next?

3 Who and where we are Part of Greater Toronto Area Within 2 hours drive for 6+ million people in the GTA Population currently 1,095, local municipalities Land base 1,776 km2

4 York Region Forestry Goal: To protect, restore and enhance green infrastructure Through the policies of the York Region Official Plan the Region is committed to both healthy communities and a sustainable natural environment. The Regional Greening Strategy provides a context for Regional decision making that affects the natural environment, and demonstrates on the ground action Visit for more information. 4

5 York Region Public Health: Healthy Living Division Active Healthy Communities program areas of focus: Active play and reducing sedentary time Physical literacy Active transportation Healthy built environments and communities 5

6 York Region Public Health: Health Protection Division Environmental Health areas of focus: Air quality Climate change Radiation Children s health and environment Environmental Health research Urban Heat Islands Traffic related air pollution Environmental Health policy Built and natural environment Land use planning Extreme weather/extreme heat response Environmental incident/spills response Environmental health surveillance 6

7 Internal partnership: Making connections Before 2012, informal partnership Formal internal partnership began in January 2012 Developed a terms of reference and work plan Priority based planning Leveraging opportunities

8 Communication opportunities

9 Communication opportunities

10 Communication opportunities: Advertisements Magazines Waiting rooms

11 Communication opportunities: Electronic newsletters

12 Communication opportunities: Guides

13 Communication opportunities: Self guided experiences Pop up banners for office space or outreach events Storybook trail Trailhead messaging

14 Communication opportunities: Audio/visual Video and radio marketing: Active kids. Active adults. Physical Activity

15 Communication opportunities: Exhibit materials Integrating key messages for community events and outreach initiatives

16 Communication opportunities: Geocaching events

17 Communication opportunities: Earth Week initiatives

18 Benefits: Knowledge exchange

19 Benefits: Knowledge exchange

20 Communication opportunities: Urban Heat Island Study Recommendations from the UHI Study include working with partners to: 1.Increase the Use of Cool Design and Construction Practices and Materials 2.Increase and Improve Vegetative Cover on Public and Private Lands 3.Reduce Community Vulnerability to Heat, with a Focus on Vulnerable Populations 4.Improve the Quality and Availability of UHI and Heat Health Data Increasing awareness and communication (to both the public and decision makers) will be an important component of addressing these recommendations

21 Benefits: Professional networks Sharing our networks and making the connections: Internal School Services Injury Prevention Vector Borne Diseases Building healthy communities workgroup Planning and economic development branch Emergency management Transportation External partners and networks: Conservation Authorities LEAF Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests EcoHealth Ontario Evergreen Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust Oak Ridges Trail Association Nature Conservancy of Canada Ontario Streams Forests Ontario Health Canada Association of Public Health Inspectors Canadian Institute of Public Health inspectors Ontario Heat Health Collaborative Ontario Public Health Association And more

22 Benefits: Partnership with LEAF

23 Benefits: EcoHealth Ontario Collaborative Common goal: To develop new collaborations among the human health, social and environmental sectors and build a common agenda to foster improved health and wellbeing outcomes for Ontarians through the provision of better ecosystem quality, increased green space and enhanced access to nature. Communication objective: Develop shared communication, education and outreach messaging for use by collaborative partners

24 Internal partnership: Partnership benefits Sharing joint messaging to a broader audience: o Health messaging into Forestry Program o Forestry messaging into Health Program Increased collaboration and knowledge Sharing resources and use of various communication channels Meeting organizational program goals, objectives and mandates Network to get things done increased Connecting to stakeholders

25 What s next? Evaluating success Resources Keep flexible and adaptable Look for opportunities Better engage our audience and colleagues

26 Thank you Heidi Breen, Stewardship Specialist, Natural Heritage and Forestry, Environmental Services Department Carol Karner, Public Health Nurse, Active Healthy Communities, Public Health Branch, Community and Health Services Department Kevin Haley, Environmental Health Specialist, Health Protection Division, Public Health Branch, Community and Health Services Department