Natural Environment

The Region of Waterloo is protecting our natural environment for future generations.

The Greenlands Network

The Greenlands Network is made up of natural environmental features and the areas between them:

Landscape features, including four Environmentally Sensitive Landscapes, the Regional (groundwater) Recharge Area, and the Grand River valleys and major tributaries
Environmental features like Environmentally Sensitive Policy Areas (ESPAs), provincially significant wetlands, endangered and threatened species' habitats and significant woodlands
Supporting features like corridors and linkages between environmental features

This network helps maintain the environmental health and ecological integrity of Waterloo Region and the Grand River watershed.

View Map of the Greenlands Network

The Greenlands Network Implementation Guide

The Greenlands Network Implementation Guideline provides detailed guidance for applying environmental policies in the Region Official Plan including:

The preparation of Environmental Impact Statements
Interpreting the boundaries of core environmental features
Determining the location and design of ecological buffers and linkages
Defining relevant terms in more detail

View the Greenlands Network Implementation Guideline

Environmentally Sensitive Landscapes

Environmentally Sensitive Landscapes (ESLs) are large areas in Waterloo Region that contain many natural features such as:

Wetlands
Woodlands
Rivers and creeks
Groundwater recharge areas
Habitats for rare, threatened and endangered species

They also include farms, small settlements, and parks.

Environmentally Sensitive Policy Areas

Since 1976, the Region has designated over 90 Environmentally Sensitive Policy Areas (ESPAs). These are regionally significant natural areas of the highest quality because they typically include multiple types of natural habitat and rare species of native flora and fauna, and they perform important ecological functions. The designation restricts development within or near the feature.

The Region has developed policies to protect over 15,000 hectares of land within the four ESLs (listed below) to make sure that new development in these areas won't damage the natural environment or detract from their unique rural character.

Laurel Creek Headwaters
Blair-Bechtel-Cruickston
Beverly
Dumfries Carolinian

View Map of ESL Areas

Case Study: The Laurel Creek Headwaters Environmentally Sensitive Landscape

The Region completed a case study in 2016 to look at how best to balance transportation needs and environmental considerations in the Laurel Creek Headwaters ESL.

For the full report, please contact environmental planning and sustainability staff.

Getting Involved

The Region's policies are making it easier for landowners, volunteers, community organizations and municipalities to be stewards of land within the Greenlands Network.

With help from the community, stewardship plans will be developed for each ESL. The Laurel Creek Headwaters ESL Public Liaison Committee is made up of private landowners and other community members with interest and expertise in land stewardship. This committee serves as a model for future ESL committees by:

Developing tools to enhance natural features and connections
Promoting responsible land stewardship
Assessing potential impacts of land-use activities
Exploring options to acquire conservation lands
Addressing concerns of residents and property owners within the ESL

Bee Region

In 2020, the Region of Waterloo became Canada’s first “Bee Region”. A region-wide group of interested individuals has been organized to provide leadership to our local municipalities, local communities (neighbourhood, school, faith) and individuals who are interested in learning more about pollinators as well as becoming involved in hands-on projects.

The Pollinator Coordinating group is collaborating to:

develop educational resources,
share local expertise, and
plan events (especially around Pollinator Week (3rd week of June))

Encourages and supports:

Pollinator garden and habitat restoration projects
Education on the importance of pollinators
Introduction and maintenance of pesticide-free pollinator friendly landscaping

Bee Region Projects and Resources

Local Bee Contacts and Resources

Local Projects and Community Partnerships

Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory
Cambridge Pollinator Preserve
Wellesley Township Bee City Project
Central Frederick Neighbourhood Pollinator Garden
University Downs Neighbourhood Pollinator Garden
Iron Horse Trail Pollinator Pathway
Meadowlane Park Pollinator Patch
KW Urban Harvester's Pollinator Garden
WLU Building for Bees and PolliNATION
REEP Green Solutions Bloom{in} Box Garden Kits
WRDSB - #HoneyHiveLive

Regional Forests and Forest Conservation

There are 16 Regionally-managed forest tracts amounting to 435 hectares owned and managed by the Region. These forests are carefully managed to balance ecological integrity, community needs and to promote sustainable forest management.

Learn About Forests and Trails Learn About Forest Conservation