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vhrffwis i i ivc economist suntribune the environmenttftmsdayiylpriaooi g more green space by patrick casey staff writer york region will commit 39 million over the next three years to begin protect ing more of the areas envi ronmental distinctions the money will be part of the regions new reserve to allow the purchase and acquisition of forest lands and green space properties its very important that we put our money where our mouth is when it comes to the environment regional chairperson bill fisch said approved in principle last week at the regions trans portation and works com- mitteeithe greehlands strate gy will protect lands through acquisitions such as bequests easements dona tions and purchases public arid private stew ardship programs policy planning and monitoring of tlielands will also be a part of the new initiative according to york region planning commissioner bryan tuckey the region will work with area planning directors to ensure munici palities are complete part ners in the new program in 1998 the region adopt ed 20year management plan with an objective of reaching 25 per cent forest cover of all regional lands currently forest cover ranges between 15 andci8 per cent of the regions 174000 hectares in order to achieve the regions goal an additional 25 per cent or 12200 hectares would need to be established with an annual target of 400 hectares of new forests we have to ensure that our future is secure fisch said achieving the regions environmental goals can be accomplished through vari ous efforts v including increased funding to the lake simcoe region conservation authority and the toronto and region conservation authority to produce 160000 new trees planted and increased forest cover by 80 hectares each year as well working with the private forest industry and offering a tax incentive pro gram for donations would add another 90 hectares annually beefing up educa tion and forestry advice could provide the equivalent of 80 hectares each year while participation with gov- bill fisch its time york region purchased more property chair person of the region says ernment agencies and natu- ralist groups would add an extra 40 hectares of forest meanwhile fisch also encouraged committee members to increase its financial commitment this year by ah additional 1 mil lion using the surplus from the 2000 budget that was originally- earmarked for the capital reserve fund the region will now pledge 15 million this year another 1 millionnext year and beginning in 2003 14 million each year into the new reserve its important that we put money up front so our kids and our grandchildren can benefit fisch added we are hot only showing the way- but also putting money into the fund so we can buy prop- ertynow t its time to come to the table and purchase proper- ty york region is also devel oping a series of partner- ships including conserva tion authories gta regions and the nature conservancy of canada tapping into the organizations extensive his tory and credibility in natural environment protection the new securement fund continues a history of natural heritage conserva tion beginning in 1924 with the establishment of the york regional forest 18 tracts ofland covering 2031 hectares featuring conifer plantations natural wood lands forested wetlands and creeks bthiirs apr 12 ijfri apr 13 8 sat apr 14 gtsim apr 15- slamndnbuddhast pinkcadh1agm vlsit our website ffathersmarkhamcom if call for details jsw fecomer of hwy7 and mccowan bdw since 1984 if s important that we put money up front so our kids and our grandchildren can benefit we are not only showing the way but also putting money into the fund so we can buy property now bill fisch york region chairperson the fcleup tvfcof traffic ticket experts ex police officers defending you in court speeding tickets careless driving impaired we win orits free call us for a free consultation 905731 6380 operate your own home day care with wee watch woffer training arid ongoing support 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