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The Regional Municipality of York has owned the York Regional Forest since 1924. Under the management direction of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (1924-1998), the forest has become one of the most successful restorations of a degraded landscape in North America. In 1998, York Region assumed management of the Regional Forest and continues the high standard of management set by OMNR. The Region has developed a 20-year management plan, formalized the Regional Forest Advisory Team and has obtained certification from the Forest Stewardship Council verifying that the forest is sustainably managed.
For information on forest health or hunting in the York Regional Forest, click on the following link:
Goal of the Forest:
To ensure the ecological sustainability of the York Regional Forest and its associated natural heritage features and values through the utilization of an ecosystem-based approach to management, which also recognizes social and economic values.
Forest History:
- Economic growth in the 1800's transformed the sparsely settled forest into a series of thriving communities, complete with towns, roads,
and farms.
- Maple and pine forests were rapidly cut down and the soil was extensively plowed for farming.
- Precious topsoil was blown off of the exposed land by the wind, and the once beautiful forests had been transformed into sand dunes.
- In 1924, a Reforestation Committee was formed in response to citizen demand, and a tree-planting program was initiated.
- Today the York Regional Forest is healthy and strong.
- No fires
- No littering
- No overnight camping
- No smoking
- No unauthorized motorized vehicles
- No unauthorized cutting or removing plants
Management of the York Regional Forest
Management of the York Regional Forest is guided by a 20 year Forest Management Plan. The current Management Plan, York Regional Forest Management Plan 1998 – 2018, was endorsed by Regional Council in June 1998. The 20 year Forest Management Plan sets the broad goals and objectives for the forest.
To view the current the 20 year Forest Management Plan summary or the 20 year Forest Management Plan (1998 - 2018) please click the on links below:
Based on the goals and objectives in the 20 year management plan, five year forest operating plans are developed. The five year forest operating plan identifies the management activities that will occur in order to achieve the goals and objectives of the forest. Five year forest operating plans are also used to report back on previous management activities and incorporate new scientific and technical information into the management of the forest. The current five year forest operating plan covers 2008 – 2012.
To view the current forest operating plan (2008-2012) or the executive summary please click the links below:
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified the York Regional Forest on February 10, 2000. It is the first publicly owned forest to be certified in Canada. It provides a third party audit process to ensure the Region is maintaining the forest in a sustainable manner.
Green-up/Clean-up Day:
Community driven forest clean up activities are co-ordinated by York Region Forestry and the Regional Forest Advisory Team. This clean up occurs on a Saturday in early May each year. Come out to the York Regional Forest and help clean up our forests and roadsides! More information will be provided in the early spring.
York Region Greening Strategy:
The need for a York Region Greening strategy/initiative was emphasized during the Regional Official Plan Report Card exercise in 1998/99 as well as through recent partnership initiatives with the Conservation Authorities and through the review of the Regional Tree By-law. The purpose of the initiative is to prepare a strategy to provide a context for Regional decisions that affect natural features.
Contact Us:
For more information, contact us at: forestry@york.ca
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