The Town of Caledon has taken a bold step to proactively protect its natural heritage by securing 379.87 acres of Provincially designated Greenbelt lands into public ownership. Secured through a series of gratuitous land conveyance agreements from 11 private landowners, this initiative represents one of the most significant expansions of protected greenspace in Caledon's history.  

These parcels, located within Ontario's Greenbelt, will be permanently protected from development and will be stewarded by the Town for ecological conservation, public recreation, and long-term community benefit.  

"This is a strong example of how the Town can take strategic action to proactively secure and protect Greenbelt lands," said Mayor Annette Groves. "By securing these lands, we are preserving vital ecosystems and natural heritage, while ensuring they remain protected, accessible, and beneficial for generations to come." 

The newly acquired Greenbelt lands offer a rare and invaluable opportunity to protect ecologically sensitive areas that provide essential ecosystem services such as water filtration, carbon storage, biodiversity habitat, and climate resilience. At the same time, they position the Town to meet growing needs for outdoor recreation, parkland, and trail development. 

"This milestone underscores Caledon's leadership in responsible planning and land protection," said CAO Nathan Hyde. "Through strong partnerships with landowners, we've preserved nearly 380 acres of Greenbelt land reinforcing our commitment to building complete, well-balanced communities while safeguarding the natural landscape that defines Caledon." 

Following Council's approval, Town staff will begin a natural heritage analysis of the conveyed parcels to identify ecological feature limits and establish vegetation protection zones. These lands will also be integrated into a range of strategic planning initiatives, including the Community Facilities Needs Assessment, the Active Transportation Plan, and the forthcoming Natural Heritage and Urban Forest Plan. 

Through these initiatives, the Town will explore opportunities to expand its trail network, enhance parkland distribution, and potentially locate future recreation amenities.