Category: Biodiversity & Nature

Feb 6th, 6:30 pm, 2025, at Station on the Green, Creemore

Clearview Sustainability Network invites you to joi our panelists in discussing the pros and cons of naturalized gardens on boulevards and private lands, and how relates municipal policies and property bylaws can best support local biodiversity and climate resilience.

• Focuses on actions to help protect and enhance nature and biodiversity across Clearview Township. 
• Situated within an internationally recognized Unesco Biosphere Reserve, our Township is known for its natural, rugged beauty and rich biodiversity. Clearview township residents are incredibly fortunate to live in such a nature-rich part of the province. However, growth, climate change, rural industry and tourism all put pressure on our precious local ecosystems, and we can not afford to take our good fortune for granted. To help ensure that biodiversity and nature remain top priorities in Clearview Township, the B&N group works to: 
  • Inform and mobilize residents on local issues and opportunities
  • Help the Township to identify ways in which policies can best align with sustainability goals set out in the Official Plan and strategy
  • Organize fun and informative events to help residents learn more about local plants, animals and ecosystems.Inform and mobilize residents on local issues and opportunities
• In its first year, the group organized a speaker series attended by over 100 Clearview residents, which included talks on the ecology and importance of naturalized gardens by author and advocate Lorraine Johnson, and turtle conservation in Ontario by local naturalist and author Don Scallen. The group also began a campaign advocating for local bylaws that encourage (rather than discourage) boulevard and naturalized gardens, to benefit biodiversity and improve climate resilience. This is in line with the broader national campaign “Bylaws for Biodiversity”, led by the David Suzuki Foundation, the Canadian Wildlife Federation, as well as other prominent groups and individuals. This advocacy continues into 2025 with the hosting of a panel discussion to engage local residents, and the preparation of a delegation to Council as Council reviews its current bylaws.
• The group is looking forward to continuing to advocate for biodiversity and nature in Clearview Township, and to hosting new fun and informative events for residents throughout the year. Stay tuned for upcoming events and opportunities posted here. Please contact us if you would like to get involved!

June 20th, 2024, 7:00 pm, at Station on the Green, Creemore

Lifelong naturalist, writer and turtle lover Don Scallen will take a deep dive into the history of Ontario’s native turtle species, the grave conservation issues they face, and what we can do to help them.

April 24th, 2024, 7:00 pm at Station on the Green, Creemore

Wondering what you can do to make a positive difference in the context of biodiversity loss? Respected author, gardener, and activist Lorraine Johnson offers meaningful actions we can all take in the gardens we steward to protect biodiversity and promote ecological resilience in our communities.