Nature and People

Nature and People

"Our health depends upon the health of the ecosystem, of which we are a part" (Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment).

In southern Ontario, we have eliminated 80% of all woodlands and 72% of all wetlands from our landscape since settlement began. If we care about our health, we need to care about the health of our landscape and natural areas.

Nature very important with people

Southern Ontario from the air - Eric Boysen

Over the past 50 years, we have altered and fragmented the natural ecosystems of southern Ontario more rapidly and extensively than in any comparable period in history. Humans and other species need a certain amount of nature on the landscape to access the services ecosystems provide. These natural areas also need to be connected to each other to function properly and to withstand the stresses of climate change and human land use. 

These "natural heritage systems" we depend on for our health and well-being are made up of core conservation lands and waters linked by natural corridors or restored connections. As landscape networks, they are vital for the conservation of biological diversity, natural processes and viable populations of native species and ecosystems. 

Tree help life of people

Green Ash floodplain forest, Peterborough County-Wasyl Bakowsky 

A number of local organizations, partners and stakeholders from across southern Ontario are working together regionally to design and plan natural heritage systems for their local landscapes. Their efforts to conserve and wisely manage the natural areas on their local landscapes help to maintain a good quality of life for people living in their region.