Grey County recently completed a Natural Heritage Study we called Green in Grey. The study identified key natural areas and linkages and recommended policies related to these features. Many of the natural heritage features and linkages we found already existed in our mapping.

The study was conducted following changes in the Provincial Policy Statement in 2014 and policy directive that was implemented in the County’s Official Plan in 2010.

The Grey County countryside is full of wonderful natural features such as large wetlands, forests and watercourses, each containing their own unique and diverse ecosystem. Identifying these individual features has largely been completed, but it’s important to also understand how they all link together to form our entire natural environment. The Provincial Policy Statement refers to this connected natural environment as a “Natural Heritage System” and requires these systems to be identified. The study, Green in Grey, balances the protection of the Natural Heritage System with the continued need for development, agricultural production, and resource use in the County, as well as recreation and tourism.  

Extensive consultation was completed for this study, including two open houses around the County, a technical advisory committee including representatives from local Conservation Authority’s, local municipalities, the Niagara Escarpment Commission, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, County Staff and the Consultant team. More consultation opportunities will be available through Recolour Grey, our review of the Official Plan.

The study is considered a background document. The recommendations of the study will be considered through the County’s five year review, Recolour Grey.

For more information, please contact Scott Taylor at 519-372-0219 ext. 1238 or email him at scott.taylor@grey.ca