Theme: Supporting Sustainable Development and Urban Ecosystems

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1 Theme: Supporting Sustainable Development and Urban Ecosystems Action 1: What is a Climate Change Adaptation Plan and what does Natural Heritage have to do with it? A climate change adaptation plan examines the risks resulting from changing climate norms and identifies vulnerabilities across the community. Adaptation actions are then developed to reduce risk to vulnerable areas, sectors and people. The natural heritage system presents opportunities to increase resilient to extreme weather events through things like flood attenuation, resilience to invasive species, etc. Incorporating the risks, vulnerabilities and opportunities related to the natural environment is a critical part of our City s success in adaptation planning. Action 2: What are Natural Assets and Ecological Goods and Services? Natural capital is any natural resource (including plants, animals, minerals, and ecosystems) that provides functions that produce ecosystem goods and services. A forest within a watershed, for example filters water that supplies nearby communities. Natural assets is a term that is more recently used as an economic metaphor for taking stock of renewable and non-renewable natural resources that includes land, water, atmosphere, minerals and ecosystems. Ecological Goods are tangible things like drinking water, timber, fish, crops and wildlife. Most goods can only be used or owned by one person, and they are generally easy to value and trade in markets. Ecological Services are intangible, but also immensely valuable. Flood protection, water filtration, pollination of plants, recreational value and aesthetic value are a few examples. Ecosystem services often cannot be traded in markets or privately owned, so they are far more difficult to value. Sources: and the Municipal Natural Asset Initiative Defining and Scoping Municipal Natural Assets Discussion Paper (2017).

2 Theme: Restoring Urban Ecosystems to Support Biodiversity and Resilience Action 1: What is Restoration and why undertake a strategy? Our Official Plan says that restoration means active management of an area that result in accelerated regeneration and recovery of a desired vegetation community or habitat, typically one that once occurred naturally in the area. This may include the creation or re-creation of wetlands, woodlands or meadows. In order to effectively restore an area, there is a need to understand what the underlying threats are causing the existing degraded condition and what the restoration targets are in terms of restored ecology and hydrology. A restoration strategy would assist in setting out criteria for prioritization and identifying both threats and targets. A restoration strategy might identify areas in the City where threats are especially high and could even set targets based on specific deficiencies in certain areas to inform the prioritization and development management plans for Restoration Areas in the City. Existing areas specifically intended for restoration purposes have been identified as part of the natural heritage system in the Official Plan. Action 2 and 3: Why develop restoration and management plans for our natural spaces? A Restoration Strategy would help provide some of this information at a City wide level and inform how our Restoration Areas fit in. Flowing from that, individual management plans should also be developed for natural areas where the City owns or is responsible for the management of these spaces. By developing these plans in a coordinated manner we can also ensure that there are opportunities for the community to participate through plan development and implementation. Restoration and management plans can help: streamline ongoing projects and major opportunities as they occur guide the site or area specific objectives, restoration and management goals be informed by monitoring data to help protect and enhance key habitats for sensitive species and biodiversity hot spots balance competing restoration objectives such as promoting meadow habitats and growing our urban forest canopy facilitate stewardship and community opportunities to participate and support management activities in these spaces

3 Theme: Supporting growth through watershed planning Understanding our watershed and subwatersheds The City includes lands within nine subwatersheds that are part of the broader Grand River Watershed. Subwatershed studies have been completed historically for some of these subwatersheds (7 of the 9), typically in partnership with the GRCA and in advance of development occurring. Boundaries for some of these areas are inaccurate or out of date, and historical data where studies have been done may not reflect changes that have occurred since a number of the studies were completed in the 1990s. Actions 1, 2 and 3: Updating subwatershed studies would allow us to: Update subwatershed boundaries to start from a common understanding of the geography Update and set goals and objectives based on today s local needs Understand the existing information and data gaps as it relates to: the characterize streams, wetlands, forests, groundwater recharge areas; existing inventories of plants and animals; and where monitoring stations have been located historically. Prioritize which subwatersheds we want to focus on and where we want to start between the 9 areas within the City Follow a common methodology and approach for completing these studies

4 Theme: Environmental monitoring to support science based decision making Action 1 and 2: What is an environmental monitoring program and why have one? The purpose of environmental monitoring is to observe and evaluate species, populations and/or ecosystems to detect changes over time through a set of standardized ecological protocols, methods and indicators. An environmental monitoring program would serve as the foundation for evaluating whether or not we achieve the goals and objectives of our natural heritage and watershed planning policies through detection of trends related to populations, ecosystems and biodiversity, for example. Monitoring allows early detection of shifts in natural areas which better positions the City to respond and keep them in good health so that they can continue to provide us with clean water, clean air and so that we can continue to enjoy them. The data would also help to inform development and infrastructure projects and encourage the participation of the community in voluntary data collection. Action 3 and 4: Why establish weather and stormwater monitoring through the NHAP? The climate and water are the foundation of how our forests, wetland, meadows and specialized habitats function. To be able to understand changes happening in our natural heritage system, we need to know how the foundation of those systems might be changing too. The NHAP is an integrated program that works closely with departments across the City in order to achieve its objectives. Integrating these pieces into the NHAP allows us to build a program that will succeed City-wide. Action 5: What is citizen science? Citizen science leverages community interest and expertise by incorporating a public component into data collection. It can include training volunteers on how to collect ecological data and provide it back to the City for quality control and incorporation into the City s datasets. It is an excellent way to connect the community with local natural spaces and get people interested in ecology. An example of citizen science is the Frog Watch Ontario program where there is a website that provides information on how to identify frogs, the time and frequency to undertake surveys and how to report back with the data.

5 Theme: Understanding and enhancing our biodiversity Action 1: What is a status of the natural heritage system report? It is a technical background report that could at a high level look at the natural areas as well as plant and wildlife species inhabiting them across the City and report on the state of the system. This would help us measure the effectiveness of our current natural heritage system policies and help inform whether we are achieving the goals set out in the Official Plan to help make recommendations on what we should revise or change when we next review and update the Official Plan. Action 2: What are biodiversity targets for? The City s Official Plan objectives include the ensuring the long-term ecological function and biodiversity of the natural heritage system. Biodiversity targets and indicators can help us to understand our biodiversity at a City scale and help measure whether and how we are meeting the objectives and policies of the Official Plan. Action 3: What is a Bee City and why become one? Becoming recognised as a Bee City means joining other communities in North America to support collaboration to establish and maintain healthy pollinator habitats. In Ontario other current bee cities include: Toronto, Stratford, Kitchener, Kawartha Lakes and St. Catherine s For more information: Action 4: What is a Pollinator Strategy? Pollinators such as: bees, beetles, butterflies and other insects provide important services to our ecosystems. Without these insects, much of the food we eat and the natural landscapes we enjoy would not exist. Developing a strategy is one possible tool to help ensure that species still found in our city can survive and be sustained. It can help guide events, projects and opportunities to specifically focus on how as a City we support pollinators. Examples of other pollinator strategies/plans: City of Toronto (Pollinator Strategy) City of Markham (Mayor s Monarch Pledge) City of Vancouver (Pollinator Strategy) Action 5: What are locally significant species lists? The City s locally significant species list was developed in 2010 based on available information on the rarity of species at that time. These lists are used to inform where and what habitats are considered to be locally important. There is currently no process in place for updating these lists. You can check out the lists at:

6 Theme: Conservation land securement to support long term preservation Action 1: What are alternative ways that could be considered to protect the natural heritage system? A strategy could include protection of lands that contain natural areas or spaces through land securement tools such as: partnerships with non-profit or other environmental groups to own/manage these areas, City ownership, using legal tools like easements in favor of long term conservation and other similar tools. What does the ownership of our natural features and areas and spaces look like in Guelph? There is rough 1900ha of natural features and areas in Guelph, based on current mapping approximately: 60% is owned by the City or GRCA 10% is owned by the Province or the University 30% is owned privately Theme: Plant and Wildlife Habitat Management in the Urban Setting Action 1: What would an invasive species strategy do? It could assist with: creating an inventory of invasive species in the City; establish or formalizing the process and practices used by the City to manage invasive species; assist in developing implementation tools and City requirements to support private development, city capital projects and operational practices. Action 2: Why expand the healthy landscapes program for institutional, commercial and industrial (ICI) properties? Guelph currently has a successful Healthy Landscapes program for residential properties and small businesses. The program provides information on outdoor water efficiency, preventative landscape maintenance practices, and natural pest control alternatives to Guelph residents. Expanding the program could help increase urban forest canopy, create habitat and provide other environmental benefits and help business and institutions demonstrate commitment to corporate environmental and social responsibility; show leadership in corporate environmental practices in the outdoor environment and build on/complement other existing corporate environmental initiatives. Action 3: Why have program to support native plant propagation and seed collection to use in City maintenance and operations? The City has a horticulture program that grows plants to support City gardens and landscaped areas in the City, by promoting and growing native plants to use in these places can help our biodiversity, prevent invasive species and support local wildlife.

7 Theme: Engagement models for supporting implementation Action 1: What is an adopt-a-space program? Park and natural spaces can be adopted by organizations, businesses, or groups of community members to help take care of spaces and run/organize community enhancement events, this could include: Invasive species removal Mulching & watering trees and plants Hosting clean-up events Establishing and maintaining pollinator gardens, naturalization planting events Bird house installation/maintenance Gather native plants/seeds and propagate Trail maintenance( i.e. boardwalks) Install educational/community signage Agreements between the adopting group/individuals and the City would establish roles, responsibilities, events and activities, etc. The City would help coordinate a program and provide some level of training/resources to participants. Action 2: What is the Enviro Guide? Started in 2001 as the City s environmental handbook for residents, it s been updated several times. There current version is available here. Staff are currently working on making the Enviro Guide into an electronic platform. Action 4: What is an urban wildlife and ecology speaker series? In September the City hosted a night of City and the Beasts which showcased speakers on: Striking a balance: Being a good dog owner and neighbour Enriching your indoor cat s environment Attracting wild birds & bird feeders Co-existing with Coyotes Speakers were from other groups or organizations (Ontario Veterinary College, Wildbirds Canada, and Coyote Watch Canada) and the City helped organize the event. Topics were selected in relation to pet and wildlife concerns that were brought up through the City s animal control by-law review. This type of format could be used on a regular/reoccurring format to share information and provide educational opportunities. Topics could also be changed or adapted to focus on current opportunities, issues or challenges over time. Events could also be aligned to partner with other events or festivals happening in the community.

8 Theme: Engagement models for supporting implementation Action 1: What are the current advisory committee s and what do they do? At present the City has three Council appointed committees with environmental related mandates: Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) River System Advisory (RSAC) Water Conservation Public Advisory Committee (WCPAC) EAC and RSAC have been included in the scope of the NHAP to look at opportunities to better align/support the implementation of the City s environmental programs moving forward WCPAC mandate is specifically tied to the review and implementation of the City s Water Conservation and Efficiency Strategy Existing mandate of EAC To provide advice to staff and Council with respect to conservation of the natural environment To provide recommendations on submitted Planning Act applications (official plan amendments, zoning by-law amendments, subdivisions and vacant land of condominium) including Environmental Impact Studies (EIS) and related City studies (Master Plans, Secondary Plans subwatershed studies, etc.) The committee includes 9 members of the public and meets 12 times a year (monthly) for 2 to 3 hours per meeting, from 7-9/10pm Existing mandate of RSAC To provide advice and assistance to staff and Council on issues that impact waterways and adjacent lands within Guelph To provide recommendations on monitoring, implementation and updating of the River System Management Study; monitoring, updating and implementation of subwatershed studies (SWS); planning and implementation of stream restoration not included in SWS To deal with issues, including: land use compatibility in river valleys; stream ecology with emphasis on water quality and quantity; trails and recreational access to streams and valleylands; education and outreach about the river system The committee includes nine 9 members of the public and meets 6 times per year on the third Wed of the month from 4pm 6pm

9 Theme: Streamlining Processes through Technical Manuals, Guidelines and Standards Action 1: What are technical guidelines and how do they help? Technical guidelines are documents that set out expectations for projects by interpreting policies in the Official Plan, reviewing best management practices, considering innovative technologies and setting standardized requirements. These documents are very useful to those that are proposing site alteration and/or development in or adjacent to the Natural Heritage System. This could include private developments, city-led capital projects for infrastructure and parks as well as site improvement projects. The City currently has Guidelines for the Preparation of Environmental Impact Studies. Other documents that could benefit the community include: Road ecology guidelines for wildlife crossings Bird strike mitigation guidelines for building design Wildlife sensitive construction mitigation protocols Stormwater management planting guidelines Low impact development standards for stormwater management Soil management for construction sites and for restoration activities Restoration guidelines for buffers and natural areas Action 2: What is an Environmental Implementation Report (EIR)? An Environmental Implementation Report is detailed report that documents how a development application is planning to implement and address environmental related conditions that form part of a development approval. The City has already developed Guidelines for the Preparation of Environmental Impact Studies and an EIR Guideline would be a companion document to support the steps in the development process that come after an EIS. This can include the design of servicing infrastructure, trails, stormwater management facilities, as well as plans to manage or remove invasive species, sediment and erosion controls plans, planting and restoration plans, among others. Action 4: What is offsetting and why should we consider it? Offsetting essentially means we will take away an ecological function in one area, but replicate that same function in a different area, where it doesn t already exist. A few of the City s natural areas policies allow for consideration of removal or loss of portions of the natural heritage system, namely cultural woodlands or habitat for significant species, provided that an EIS demonstrates there are no negative impacts through consideration of offsetting. This means that the ecological function can be replicated elsewhere through restoration or enhancement.

10 Theme: Streamlining Processes through Technical Manuals, Guidelines and Standards Action 5: What is Soil Health and Management and why does it matter? Soil is alive. It is has its own food web that is part of an ecosystem below the ground! Soil health matters because healthy soils support healthy plants ranging from natural trees and shrubs to vegetables and other food production! Soils also contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change by storing carbon and to adaptation through storing and absorbing water. Soil is often one of the last things considered in urban areas even though we are often working with it. Research on soil health is in progress, and we have the benefit of having both the University of Guelph and offices of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Areas in town! To help support how we can preserve and restore soil health and management within the City, partnerships and research can be explored to inform urban specific best practices and solutions when it comes to: erosion and sediment control; soil health; and, management and soil science.

11 Theme: Data Management and Technology to Improve Efficiencies and Share Knowledge Action 1: How do we currently manage Natural Heritage System data? The City undertook a Natural Heritage Strategy in 2010 which is the foundational report that informed the Natural Heritage System policies that are now in the Official Plan. That report consolidated natural environment related information up to The dataset remains internal to City staff and is not formatted in a manner that allows information to be shared easily. Furthermore, the City has a large number of environmental studies that collect natural heritage information which are filed both digitally and in hard copy but are not easily integrated into the original 2010 data set because of the format differences. There is also no easy way to search this information at present. The City s current Guidelines for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Study have begun to standardize how data is delivered to the City. What other data does the City have? The City also collect sand uses other data that may support or integrate with natural heritage. Some examples include: Local Source Water Information Management System (LSWIMS) which is a cloud based system that houses Source Water Protection data; Some water quality data collected throughout the City through grab samples by wastewater; Stormwater management pond data collected by the engineering infrastructure group; and Vegetation data collected in forests across the City and focussed on Ash tree management by the forestry team. Through the NHAP, we aim to integrate existing data that supports natural heritage into the actions. Action 2: How can data management be improved to support the NHAP? We have a lot of opportunity to improve, and we want to hear your ideas! The objectives of improvement include creating a system that can integrate information across the corporation, that can support sharing of knowledge and data to support the community and that is efficient and user-friendly. We believe that the solution may lie in the development of a data management system, but also in building partnerships and leveraging data from local sources such as the University of Guelph, environmental groups and the community and large.

12 Theme: Improving Operational Procedures Action 1, 2, 3 &4 What kind of operational procedures need improvement? Corporate operational procedures can always benefit from a refresh. In this case, there are a number of operational procedures that involved multiple departments. Our corporation has grown, changed and evolved over the last five years and as a result, integration to revisit how we do business internally is imperative to our success. The types of operational procedures that the NHAP suggests we review and improve include: Developing and formalizing eligibility criteria for tree compensation funds to support the City s urban forest and natural heritage goals Developing offsetting and compensation policy to support the City s natural area policies Reviewing the existing naturalization policy in the context of our current natural heritage system, urban forest and parks and recreation objectives Formalizing the City s current wildlife refuge practice for stormwater management pond clean outs Reviewing City by-laws, policies and programs that relate to naturalized gardens to support their alignment across the corporation What is a naturalized garden? Whatever your idea of beauty, you can achieve it in a naturalized garden. If your tastes run to a more formal style, you can use native plants in a formal planting. If, on the other hand, you favour a more informal style, you can achieve that look as well. There s plenty of room for personal expression, just like in nature, where diversity is the key to healthy ecosystems. Naturalized gardening is not simply: abandoning a site, stopping spraying, stopping mowing and letting unsightly weeds take over. Instead it is a controlled approach to mimicking what nature has perfected in your own yard. Naturalized gardens create a biodiversity of habitat for wildlife. Naturalized gardens provide sustenance and shelter for all creatures from the tiniest insect right up the food chain. Wildlife will build nests or lay eggs, hibernate for the winter or just enjoy the shelter and safety of the garden.