Town of Pelham receives $67,377 to support Municipal Natural Asset Management Plan

The Town of Pelham will begin developing a Municipal Natural Asset Management Plan following a Greenbelt area analysis with $63,377 in support from the Greenbelt Foundation's Resilient Greenbelt program.

The Municipal Natural Asset Management Plan project will identify natural assets in Pelham's Greenbelt area. Once identified, Pelham will be able to move forward with protecting and managing these sites in a holistic, evidence-based manner as part of the Town's asset management plans.

"This funding will allow the Town to develop the guide to ensure that natural assets within the Greenbelt area of Pelham are valued and included in financial planning and asset management programs," explained Town of Pelham Director of Community Planning and Development Barbara Wiens. "Once identified, the presence of these natural assets will also inform planning and land-use decisions to align with the goals of protection, restoration and maintenance of ecological connectivity and biodiversity for Pelham and the Greenbelt."

Once completed, the Municipal Natural Asset Management Plan will be included in the Town's asset management program and support strategic priorities identified in the Town of Pelham strategic plan. The strategic plan included Environmental and Climate Adaptation as an area of emphasis to protect and conserve the natural resources in Pelham and continue to provide the foundation for a clean, safe and sustainable environment for present and future generations.

“We look forward to the outcome of this work, which will have an important impact on the Town of Pelham’s understanding of how best to maximize the benefits provided by natural assets,” said Ed McDonnell, CEO of the Greenbelt Foundation. “Working with municipal partners to identify, restore and properly value natural assets is one more step we can take together to create climate resilient communities.”

Since 2005, the Greenbelt Foundation has funded and leveraged more than $100 million through investment in its interconnected natural, agricultural, and economic systems to ensure a working, thriving Greenbelt for all. Supported by Greenbelt Foundation investment and stewardship, Ontario's Greenbelt contributes $9.6 billion annually to Ontario's GDP and provides Ontario communities with $3.2 billion worth of ecosystem services annually.