By Cecilia Nasmith

Northumberland County will host public-information sessions in Cobourg, Colborne and Campbellford about work now underway to develop a Natural Heritage System Plan. 

The county's press release explained that a Natural Heritage System identifies the natural features in a community such as forests, lakes, rivers, valleys and wetlands, as well as how these features are linked. Northumberland land use planning and inspection services manager Dwayne Campbell added that they are vital to a community's well-being and quality of life.

“Northumberland County is creating a Natural Heritage System Plan to guide community growth in a way that preserves and enhances our natural environment for future generation,” Campbell said.

Using data from local municipalities (as well as the province), historical mapping, area photography and other sources, the county has identified local natural features for inclusion in the plan. These include wetlands, woodlands, valleylands, significant wildlife habitats, habitats of endangered and threatened species, fish habitats, watercourses and areas of natural and scientific interest.

The County is now working with project partner North-South Environmental to identify ecological linkages and draft policies related to these features. This plan - required by the provincial government as a partner document to the county’s Official Plan – will be finalized by the end of 2019.

To learn more about the natural features identified throughout Northumberland for this plan, and to provide input into this process, members of the public are invited to attend one of the following upcoming information sessions.

Nov. 26 – At Northumberland County headquarters, 555 Courthouse Rd., Cobourg.

Nov. 28 – At the Crahame Township municipal office, 1 Toronto St., Colborne.

Nov. 29 – At the Clock Tower Cultural Centre, 35 Front St. S., Campbellford.

Each session runs from 4 to 7 p.m., and will include two 15-minute presentations by lead ecologists for this project, delivered at 4:30 and 6 p.m.

For more information, visit NorthumberlandCounty.ca/NaturalHeritage,