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Tag Archives conservation

Land trusts empower landowners while preserving farmland
Ontario Farmland Trust establishes groundwork for a provincial agricultural land reserve
The Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT) easements protect agricultural land, creating a reserve that remains impervious to provincial policy changes and development pressures, while bolstering food production and sustainable farming.

Walkerton water crisis ignited collaborative effort to protect water in Ontario
It brought together government and landowners in a new way, working toward a common goal
One of the most significant pieces of legislation instituted as a result of the Walkerton water crisis inquiry was the Clean Water Act, 2006, known as Bill 43.

Expanding Ontario’s native seed production
Current supply of native seed species won’t match future demand
The 2024 Southern Ontario Seed Strategy was created to address the lack of native seeds for Carolinian species in Ontario.

What is Europe’s Nature Restoration Law?
Where it came from, what it will do, and how farmers are affected
The European Union’s Nature Restoration Law will have a profound impact on Europe’s farmers – some of which could be positive.

New online decision-making tool for species at risk
An online tool to help farmers choose the best options to help preserve species at risk and their habitats is coming to Ontario in 2025.
The people that shape us
My late grandfather helped me see beyond the human world, and I hope to continue his legacy
I’m keenly interested in environmental issues and the role farmers could play in generating positive change. It drives what I cover as a journalist, what stories I share with friends and family, and what I’ve decided to research in-depth as a Nuffield Scholar.

Burnout a problem in conservation sector
Like farmers, people in the environmental profession face many uphill battles that can affect their health
Mental health challenges are a regular topic of discussion in the agriculture sector, but farmers are not the only workers with high rates of anxiety, depression and other forms of mental illness. Why it matters: People in the environmental sector face many challenges to their work and purpose. For those working in the environmental sector, […] Read more

Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary gets creative with income streams
Finding new ways to support conservation and education
Limited resources are a perennial problem for conservation organizations. At the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary, a non-profit conservation park in Essex County, staff and volunteers are trying to diversify income streams in an effort to improve the area’s ecology, and help people better connect with the natural landscape. Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary was […] Read more

Lakeshore-area farmers receive conservation award
Couple awarded for their efforts to preserve soil and water
Lakeshore-area farm couple Clayton Armstrong and Susan Iatonna are recipients of the latest Essex Region Conservation Authority Conservation Farm Award. Armstrong and Iatonna were lauded for a number of actions in pursuit of greener production. The award is given to farmers who display a range of environmentally minded farming practices. The award was presented at […] Read more

National soil award presented to OSCIA’s Andrew Graham
Andrew Graham is this year’s recipient of the L.B. Thomson Award, an award that recognizes the from the significant contributions of individuals and organizations in keeping Canada’s soil healthy. As Executive Director of the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA), Graham has led the delivery of many education and stewardship programs that have helped […] Read more