Local environmentalists discuss Oro Moraine importance, Greenbelt protection

A handful of local environmental organizations discussed the importance of the Oro Moraine and whether it should be protected under the Ontario Greenbelt.

Members of a handful of environmental organizations convened at the Oro-Medonte Community Arena on Sunday to discuss the importance of the Oro Moraine and the need for it to be protected under the Ontario Greenbelt.

Margaret Prophet, executive director of the Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition (SCGC), led the dozens of representatives in the discussion.

“We’re engaging with residents across Oro-Medonte about the Oro Moraine specifically, and how some of the policies probably weaken the protection,” said Prophet. “It’s a landform that provides water to up to 25,000 people across Simcoe County.”

Other members of the SCGC, Engaging Residents of Oro-Medonte (EROM), and Copeland Forest Friends Association were all in attendance.

“A big chunk of the Copeland Forest is actually part of the [Oro] Moraine,” said Len Cater, president of the Copeland Forest Friends Association. “Our organization is a steward of the forest, and our goal is to protect the overall ecology of the forest as well.”

John Bard, Oro-Medonte Ward 2 councillor, was also present.

Prophet suggests that the Oro Moraine would be better protected if it were mandated by the province under the Greenbelt instead of the municipality, fearing the outcome of losing it.

“It’s like a rain bucket. So if we lose that landform, then what ends up happening is that the rain bucket just stops collecting,” explained Prophet. “And that’s where it gets to a problem, where we have to wonder where we’re getting our water from.”

The leaders of Sunday’s discussion say they hope to share their findings with other municipal and provincial dignitaries.

The province is set for the next ten-year review of the Greenbelt this year.