Watersheds of the Ontario greenbelt : Policy options to preserve, protect, and restore the watersheds of the greenbelt

Watersheds of the Ontario Greenbelt POLICY OPTIONS TO PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND RESTORE THE WATERSHEDS OF THE GREENBELT WATERSHEDS OF THE ONTARIO GREENBELT Policy options to preserve, protect, and restore the watersheds of the Greenbelt May 2012 Michelle Molnar, Kelly Stewart and Sandra Iseman This report was made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation This report [...] The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity Whyte and Shelley Petrie of the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation. [...] The Horseshoe provide a increasing recognition of the role of these ecosystems in contributing to water security has led many to range of vital services emphasize the importance of determining the value of these services (e.g., Smith, de Groot, & Bergkamp, to the residents of the 2006). [...] The quality of this valuable resource depends on the health of the entire watershed including the forests, wetlands, FIGURE 2: WATERSHEDS OF THE GREENBELT streams and rivers. [...] The importance of maintaining natural ecosystems for human well-being gained heightened recognition in Ontario following the Walkerton tragedy in 20005 and was reinforced with the publication of the MEA (2005) and recent estimates of population growth in the region.