Whitehead returns to conservation executive

Richard Whitehead

Regional Councillor Richard Whitehead has been appointed to the board of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. At the inaugural meeting, he was elected to the executive committee representing the Region of Peel. He will also chair the water management board.

"The Region of Peel is the principal funder for the TRCA's work in Peel," said Whitehead. "As well, conservation authorities are the largest single landowner in Caledon and play a significant role in protecting and enhancing our natural environment.

"Recently, the Region of Peel increased the funding package for 2007 by an additional $5,000,000 ($2,500,000 to the TRCA). This additional funding is designed to accelerate our environmental commitment and to deal more aggressively with climate change.

"Conservation will concentrate these resources on water management, ecosystem management, and education projects. There is an urgent need to accelerate programs that will facilitate the natural environment and human adaptation/mitigation to global warming.

"Since 1800 the forest cover has declined from 88% to 15% and wetlands have been reduced from 11% to 3.5% in our region. The minimum level for ecosystem health is 30% for forest cover and 10% for wetland cover. Our goal is to restore these balances.

"Water is the litmus test for the health of our environment. We are making significant progress in protecting and enhancing our natural and sustainable water supply. Our cold water streams and fisheries are recovering and the forest cover has been increasing over the last two generations. There is much to do but progress is being made.

"The next four years will present significant challenges for us as we move forward with an aggressive program to protect and enhance our natural environment. Private land stewardship and i n t e r g o v e r n m e n t a l partnerships are critical to our success.

"We are working hard creating a climate for change."