- Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation
-
The Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation (ORMF) is a non-profit organization based in King City, Ontario, Canada. It was founded in 2002 as a governing body dedicated the enhancement and preservation of the Oak Ridges Moraine as a healthy and vibrant ecosystem.[1]
Contents
History
The Oak Ridges Moraine stretches 160 kilometres from the Trent River in the east to the Niagara Escarpment in the west. It is more than 90 per cent privately owned with a population of approximately 250,000 to 300,000 people. It crosses 32 municipalities, supplies drinking water to more than 250,000 individuals and supports related agricultural, industrial, commercial and recreational uses.
In 2001 the Ontario government recognized that in order to preserve the Moraine’s health and diversity there was a need for provincial regulation over its many complex land use issues. On May 17, 2001, The Oak Ridges Moraine Protection Act was passed followed by the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act on December 13, 2001. Less than a year later, in April 2002, the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan (ORMCP) was passed.[2] In the same year, the ORMF was created.
The ORMF has an independent board of directors that consists of individuals nominated by Ontario Nature, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Conservation Ontario, the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. The Foundation Chair is Debbe Day Crandall, Executive Director of Save the Oak Ridges Moraine Coalition.[3]
Accomplishments
Since established in 2002 the ORMF has distributed in excess of $14 million in grants to 177 projects and leveraged, in collaboration with Moraine partners, an additional $35.8 million for Moraine-related projects. Of the money distributed 41 per cent was dedicated to land securement, 37 per cent to stewardship, 12 per cent to public education, 7 per cent to the expansion of the Oak Ridges Trail, and 3 per cent to research.[4]
In addition, the Oak Ridges Trail was recently extended by 10 kilometres in Cramahe Township marking the east to west completion of the Trail. Working with partners to establish a trail that continued across the entire Moraine was one of the ORMF's initial goals. The completion of the Trail is also significant as it meets one of the ORMCP's main objectives of a continuous east to west trail along the entire length of the Moraine.
Future of the ORMF
The ORMF’s granting function is currently suspended; however, it is dedicated to continue its work with the government, Moraine stakeholders and the public to create a lasting legacy for the Moraine.
The ORMF continues to play a very important role in the coordination and collaboration of Moraine-related projects. It has been playing a leading role in pulling together the information needed for the review of the ORMCP in 2015.
In order to further provide long-term funding for ongoing program initiatives the ORMF is continuing to seek additional funding from the Provncial and Federal Governments.
References
- ^ http://moraineforlife.org/about/index.php
- ^ http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page1707.aspx
- ^ http://moraineforlife.org/about/who.php
- ^ http://moraineforlife.org/about/programs.php
External links
Categories:- Oak Ridges Moraine
- King, Ontario
- Organizations based in Ontario
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
