Peel, TRCA and Toronto secure land to protect Humber, hatchery

The Region of Peel is contributing $142,600 towards half the funding to purchase the 4.92-acre Boyer Property, adjacent to the Glen Haffy Conservation Area. The Boyer Property contains important springs feeding into rearing ponds in the Glen Haffy fish hatchery.

The other half of the funding will be provided by the City of Toronto under its Source Water Protection Acquisition Program through Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA).

"Headwater from the purchased property is vital to thousands of rainbow trout raised from the hatchery at Glen Haffy each year," said Regional Councillor Paterak, chair of the greenlands securement subcommittee. "Protecting the headwaters of the Humber River benefits residents in Peel and Toronto who live both upstream and downstream."

The property is important because it's a headwater source for the Humber River; springs on property feed into rearing ponds in the Glen Haffy fish hatchery. The property will be merged with Glen Haffy Conservation Area and managed by TRCA.

"TRCA will ensure the natural heritage features and environmental functions on the property are protected for future generations," said Brian Denney, TRCA's CAO. "Uniting the Boyer Property with the Glen Haffy Conservation Area will increase uninterrupted forest coverage and further buffer the interior habitat within the conservation area."

"The majority of the property contains natural heritage features like a Regionally significant woodlot that provides wildlife habitat and supports the Region of Peel Greenlands System," said Nick Tunnacliffe, Peels' executive director of environment, transportation and planning. "The property is an excellent recipient for Regional funding through the Region of Peel Greenlands Securement Project."

The Greenlands Securement Project financially assists CVA, TRCA and the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust to protect, preserve and enhance the Region's key natural heritage features. Funds are used for conservation easements, land donations and purchases. The Region also supports the securement of key natural heritage features and areas through land use planning policy, stewardship and education, and monitoring programs.

Details of the Greenlands Securement Project can be found at www.peelregion.ca/planning/ greenlands.