By Cecilia Nasmith

Managing community growth in a way that preserves and enhances the natural environment for future generations is the focus of Northumberland County's Natural Heritage System Plan.

The county is organizing three information sessions about the work being done to finalize this plan, to be held in Colborne, Cobourg and Campbellford.

The first round of public-information sessions on this project concluded in November 2018, where the county presented the local natural features identified for inclusion in the plan and received public input on other possible areas of interest and considerations for the development of policies related to these features.

“Northumberland County is made up of many important natural environments, including wetlands, woodlands, valleylands, habitats and watercourses,” Land Use Planning and Inspection Services Manager Dwayne Campbell said in the county press release.

“A Natural Heritage System will ensure plans are in place to protected and preserve these unique features as our community continues to grow and thrive.

“As we move forward with the development of a local plan, we would like to share our progress with the community and receive input on three proposed Northumberland Natural Heritage Systems.”

This plan, required by the provincial government as a partner document to the county's Official Plan, will be finalized early in 2020.

To learn more about the proposed Northumberland Natural Heritage System plans and to provide input into the process, members of the public are invited to attend one of the following information sessions, Each runs from 4 to 7 p.m., and lead ecologists for the project will deliver 15-minute presentations at each session.

Nov. 21 – Crahmae Township municipal office, 1 Toronto St., Colborne.

Dec. 2 – Northumberland County headquarters, 555 Courthouse Rd., Cobourg.

Dec. 3 – Clock Tower Cultural Centre, 36 Front St. S., Campbellford.

More information is also available at NorthumberlandCounty.ca/NaturalHeritage