Stewardship for Rural Landowners The Ontario Rural Non-farm Landowners Stewardship Guide Session 455 2012 APA National Planning Conference April 15, 2012 Dr. Wayne Caldwell, PhD RPP MCIP Director & Professor University of Guelph, Guelph ON CDN Paul Kraehling RPP MCIP Doctoral Student, Rural Studies University of Guelph, Guelph ON CDN
The Guide
Overview Def n of stewardship? what is it, and why is it important The impetus for a rural landowners stewardship guide for Ontario? the need, guide formulation, examples of its use The future of the Guide? where are we going Trying it out...
Where in the World is Ontario (and more particularly Guelph)?
Where in the World is Ontario (and more particularly Guelph)?
Where in the World is Ontario (and more particularly Guelph)?
Now Some Definitions... Stewardship: The non-regulatory means to assist in planning and development for sustainability of lands The means to build awareness of the linkages between property development, and the management of land in the broader environmental sense
Additional Considerations The notion of stewardship contains practical and ethical connotations: Property owners will undertake works that maximize long term value, i.e. Efficiency and wise use of land Property owners will manage their lands on behalf of others/future generations Stewardship is a voluntary activity
Environmental Challenges found in Rural Areas Source: Google Images
More Challenges
Watershed Challenges Cdn Example Lake Simcoe, Ont USA Example Chautauqua Lake, NY
Why are Stewardship Initiatives Important... Especially at this time? Provides information to guide appropriate actions towards environmental protection & enhancement Significant need for actions to enhance rural environmental conditions/natural heritage Strong indicators of interest from bottom-up initiatives, e.g. Transition towns Strong support for stewardship from top down sources, e.g. United Nations
The Impetus for the Guide Born out of conflict management issues in environmental matters between large farm operators & urban summer-time temporary cottagers Coastal Lake Huron Guide prepared to guide action without a lot of dollars, but providing knowledge, awareness & change opportunities
Huron Guide Partners:
Why General Interest in a Guide Many factors: A new product to promote environmental stewardship Inability of government to deliver, i.e. Lack of trust, resource availability Acceptance by ruralites for new information General societal changes (demographic shifts)
Demographic Shifts in Rural Ontario Rural areas undergoing nonfarm population growth - due to new advances in technology lifestyle choices, retiree & exurbanite weekenders Generally unknowledgeable for`caring for the land` but have environmental stewardship interest SOURCE: Lee-Anne S. Milburn 2007 University of Guelph Ph D. Thesis - Our Rural Future The Non-Farm Landowner and Ontario`s Changing Countryside
Market Niche for Guide Patterned after a holistic guide to environmental stewardship for farmers the long established Ontario Environmental Farm Plan Voluntary, self-interest but in consideration of wider community/environment
Guide Evolution Continued Many thought that a Guide for the Province would be beneficial holistic, applicable, userfriendly, self education & mobilization The Guide was Born in 2007 On-line provision of Guide and associated use ideas www.stewardshipmanual.ca
Guide Evolution Continuing Morphed and used in numerous locales; part of the original shareware idea At least 10 specific area/topic guides have been created:
More Guides
Still More Guides
The Use of the Guide in 2012 Currently compiling best practices & use of the Guide through a OMAFRA KTT project Examining mechanisms to enhance and extend the use of the Guide across Ontario Supported by Agri-Food and Rural Link KTT Program, funded under the OMAFRA- University of Guelph Program
What People have Said About the Guide from Workshops... I was impressed with the organization of the manual, the clarity of the information, the glossary, the references and general information. Well done! I like it, a blend of reading levels, visual layout is good Good coverage and consideration of many different types of owners and variables in properties Interactive, engaging, and practical in its approach Casual, informal discussion is good More time for workshop would be helpful Need more information about changes inside household, and available government grants
Common Use of the Guide In conjunction with stewardship co-ordinators, used in workshop settings Workshops illustrate bigger picture considerations of environmental stewardship Guide used as a workbook to move to individual property level, and individual considerations, and actions
From Workshop Leaders, the Survey Says...
Words used most often in survey question 3 If you use the Guide, how is it used (mapping top 50 words only) Graphic (word cloud) produced by www.wordle.net
Survey Results of Using the Guide Approx 1/3 of stewardship agencies in Province currently use/have used the Guide
Specific Examples of Guide s Use
Lake Huron Coastal Experience Helping you protect local water quality... Huron County Clean Water Project 29 workshops held in 2006-2007 with over 500 coastal/watershed participants
Experience of the Credit Valley Conservation Authority 17 workshops over 5 years to approx 350 rural non-farm and horse farm landowners
Carolinian Canada Experiences Extreme Southern Ontario area with unique environmental conditions, i.e. significant species at risk for Canada Over the last 3 years, 8 workshops attracting 277 participants over wide geographic area
Lake Simcoe Experience Over 2009-spring 11 period, 49 workshops with over 1000 landowners participating Project funding available from senior gov ts, with private/public funding to $10 million
What s in the Guide? Introduction to Local Ecology What is a watershed? Why should we be concerned? Local scale features The Workbook: 14 different worksheets (with 200 potential actions) Each worksheet asks you to rate your activities on your property Action plan for individual property environmental enhancement, stewardship & resiliency
R U R A L L A N D O W N E R S T E W A R D S H I P G U I D E Where do you fit in? Broad Scale - A Watershed Perspective What is the water cycle? The water cycle - technically known as the hydrologic cycle - is the circulation of water within the earth's environment. This involves changes in water s physical state as it moves between liquid, solid, and vapour phases. The hydrologic cycle refers to the continuous exchange of water between atmosphere, land, surface and subsurface waters as well as organisms. Introduction to Southern Ontario Ecology 34
Worksheet Themes 1. Getting to know your property buying a rural property, construction 2. Water wells, septic systems, runoff management 3. Gardening & Landscaping water efficiency, buffers, trees, plant selection and use 4. Ecosystems & Wildlife forest, stream/drain, wetland and meadow management 5. Miscellaneous waste management, storage of fuels/chemicals, lowering your energy bill
? 2 4
5-5 67 Septic? Find out where discharge goes 5-6 67 Septic 2 Wipe utensils
Example of Working through a Worksheet Plantings Around the Yard (including tree plantations) (pages 73 99) Energy conservation mechanisms (pages 172 178)
Resources Various Templates Various on-line resources available at www.stewardshipmanual.ca
Thanks for Your Attention & Participation When we tug at a single thing in nature, we find it attached to the rest of the world. John Muir We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect. Aldo Leopold When is the best time to plant a tree? 20 years ago. When is the next best time? - today. Proverb
S455 Stewardship for Rural Landowners Ontario, Canada