Natural Heritage Systems Workshop

A Natural Heritage System is an interconnected network of natural features and areas such as forests, lakes, rivers, agricultural lands, and wetlands. Natural heritage features help conserve biological diversity, maintain ecological functions like flood control, sequester carbon, and are places for recreation.

A critical systems step in protecting natural systems—for all values, especially their climate adaptation and mitigation values—is to have the protection of natural systems embedded in the official plan of the County.

The Province of Ontario requires upper and lower tiers to identify Natural Heritage Systems (NHS) in their Official Plans and preserve the diversity and connectivity of these features.

How do we Balance Nature with Development?

An NHS plan is an effective tool that does just this. CNL organized a workshop for County councillors and staff to provide an “NHS 101.”

The purpose of the workshop, held May 8th at the County building, was to provide councillors and staff with insights into the unique natural systems of Lanark County and their importance in addressing climate change across the landscape and gain a practical understanding of how a Natural Heritage Systems plan is an effective tool for protecting natural systems and enabling smart development.

The workshop was well attended by municipal councillors, staff, and local environmental organizations, along with the excellent presenters. The councillors were attentive and engaged with the presenters. CNL is extremely happy with the response we received.