Natural Areas Acquistion and Conservation (Status Report)

Recommendation:
That this report be received for information.

Report Summary

This report provides a status on the preparation of a revised strategy for natural areas. Final recommendations will go forward to the Community Services Committee meeting of June 18, 2001.

Previous Council/Committee Action

At the February 5, 2001 Community Services Committee meeting, approval was given for the revised due date of February 26, 2001.

At the March 7, 2000 meeting of City Council, the following motion was passed:

  1. “That the Administration be directed to pursue further the feasibility of the funding options identified in the attached document “Natural Area Conservation: Funding Options for the Natural Areas Reserve Fund” (Attachment 2 of the February 14, 2000 Community Services Department report), within the Corporation respecting the use of existing Corporate Resources, and with other responsible jurisdictions and authorities respecting the “potential new funding sources” and report back to the Community Services Committee no later than February 1, 2001.
  2. That the documents “Natural Area Conservation: Site Ranking Criteria” (Attachment 3), “Natural Area Conservation: Overall Rank of Candidate Conservation Areas” (Attachment 4), and “Natural Area Conservation: Review of Provincial Legislation” (Attachment 5) be received for information.
  3. That (Attachment 6) “Elements of a Natural Area Conservation Strategy” be approved as a basis for Community Services Department’s Consultation within the land development and environment/conservation communities of interests, and with the general public; and that the Department report back to the Community Services Committee respecting the consultation and with a recommended strategy for implementing City Policy C467 “Conservation of Environmentally Sensitive and Natural Areas” no later than February 1, 2001.”

Report

  • The Community Services Department formed a partnership with the Alberta Environmental Network (AEN) and was successful in acquiring a grant from the Edmonton Community Lottery Board to study ways to amplify the Corporation’s ability to conserve natural areas. That work included an operational strategy to acquire sites in the near term, and funding and public education strategies. Westworth Associates Environmental Ltd. was hired to carry out this review by using workshops/focus groups with the general public, environmental community and the Urban Development Institute. This produced a report entitled “Conserving Edmonton’s Natural Areas: A Framework for Conservation Planning in Urban Landscapes”.
  • A Steering Committee was formed to guide the project. The membership of the committee included representatives from AEN, the Edmonton Natural History Club, King’s University College, a retired citizen, the Urban Development Institute, as well as a Community Services Department staff member.
  • The “Conserving Edmonton’s Natural Areas: A Framework for Conservation Planning in Urban Landscapes” report, has just been completed and has not been circulated to key stakeholders and civic Departments for response. Further study and consultation is required. Its findings and recommendations will provide background for the Administration’s final report on a revised implementation strategy for City Policy C467 - Conservation of Environmentally Sensitive and Natural Areas. This will be forwarded to the Community Services Committee meeting of June 18, 2001.

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