Natural Heritage Planning
 

Our Natural Heritage Planning activities are built on defensible and transparent approaches that are  guided by comprehensive stakeholder input. This involves a collaborative approach with multidisciplinary teams (hydrologists, hydro-geologists, geotechnical, aquatic biologists, stream experts, and planners) to find integrated solutions with our experienced ecologists.

Our Approach

Provincial direction for sustainable land-use planning is recognized through Ontario’s Provincial Policy Statement, and is implemented within the Official Plan framework for Municipalities.

Our involvement in Natural Heritage Planning includes providing expert ecological support at various planning scales; from the site-level to multi-regional jurisdictions. Our approach includes:

• Comprehensive review of background information;
• Inventories of natural heritage resources;
• Analysis and recommendations on policy significance and Natural Heritage sensitivity; and
• Recommendations for best management practices for sustainable planning.

D&A contributes to policy development, analysis, and consultation for:

• Natural Heritage System Planning;
• Secondary Plans;
• Watershed and Sub-watershed Studies;
• Regional Significant Woodland Planning;
• Significant Wildlife Habitat Identification;
• Municipal Tree Protection Bylaws;
• Ontario Municipal Board hearings and mediation processes; and
• Compensation Protocol development.

Choosing D&A

Senior staff at D&A have combined experience of more than half a century on land-use and natural heritage policies focused on sustainable development. Our portfolio includes municipal clients across southern Ontario including: Brampton, Guelph, Milton, Barrie, Markham, Niagara Region, Waterloo Region, Peel Region, and the City of Toronto. Our OMB experience spans 40 years, with an effective solution-oriented approach in negotiations.