Councillors reject adding forests to federal conservation database

By Bob Wood

Norfolk County Council was told it was a good news story. Thanks to insightful planning decisions over the years, Norfolk County has proportionally the most forest cover of any area in southern Ontario.

Sarah Emons, conservation director at the Long Point Biosphere Region (LPBR), addressed council on November 13. She sought support for a county staff recommendation to make a submission to Environment and Climate Change Canada. That request would see forests owned and managed by Norfolk County added to the Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD).

What would that mean?

The CPCAD contains up-to-date data on marine and terrestrial protected areas and other area-based conservation measures in Canada.

By adding county-owned properties to that list, Norfolk County could show support for Canada’s goal of conserving 30 percent of our land and water by 2030. That goal is in harmony with Canada’s international reporting on protected areas. Commitments under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity help reach a global vision of a world living in harmony with nature.

Ward 1 Councillor Tom Masschaele, addressing the concerns of fellow councillors, asserted that “this is only an accounting exercise.” He added, “it opens the door for future funding” to help manage our forests.

Ms. Emons pointed out that supporting the recommendation placed no burden on property taxes, had no financial impact and added no additional regulations. Properties could be taken off the list if the property owner requested. In addition, there would be little additional work for county staff—four hours was her estimate—as LPBR is involved in submitting applications.

Ward 2 Councillor Linda Vandendriessche agreed that our forests are well managed but worried about providing information to the federal government for the data base.

“I fear what comes next,” she declared. The majority of council, including Mayor Martin, agreed. The staff recommendation to add properties to the list was not supported.

With 24 percent of Norfolk covered with forests and wetlands, the county is not far from the federal government’s conservation target.

Originally printed in The Good News, February 2025.