Ontario is helping to ensure residents in York and Durham Regions have greenspace to enjoy for years to come by taking action to protect ecologically-sensitive areas and expand local parks.

Agreements between Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and area conservation authorities, including the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), will ensure nearly 4,000 acres are protected from development, and properly managed on behalf of Ontarians.

The agreements will be in place until the federal government moves forward with its plan to create a Rouge national park.

“The protection and management of important ecological areas such as the Uxbridge, Markham and Oak Ridges Corridor Park lands means sustainable green space for my constituents of Oak Ridges — Markham to enjoy both in present and future,” commented Oak Ridges — Markham MPP Dr. Helena Jaczek.

“The agreement today shows Ontario’s leadership in protecting our greenspace,” observed TRCA Chair Gerri Lynn O’Connor. “The Oak Ridges Moraine Corridor Park, the Rouge Park and the Uxbridge lands are a vital part of our natural heritage. Its forests, meadows and wetlands protect our water, provide habitat for wildlife and support human health and recreation.”

“LSRCA is delighted that Ontario continues to take a strong leadership position in the protection of our environment and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to safeguard this ecologically significant land because of its critical impact on the health of our watershed and our province,” LSRCA Chair Virginia Hackson said. “In addition to providing a clean source of drinking water, this land contains provincially significant wetlands, is home to watershed-rare species, provides opportunity for reforestation and links to the Uxbridge Countryside Preserve and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s East Duffins Headwaters.”

“These lands are sanctuaries for nature and places where residents and visitors can learn about ecosystems while at the same time enjoying outdoor recreation activities,” commented Infrastructure Minister Bob Chiarelli. “These agreements formally acknowledge the conservation authority’s management over the parklands and represent an important partnership between the government and the local conservation authorities.”