The City of Hamilton and local conservation groups are taking the first steps to create a biodiversity action plan.
The intention is to see future projects through a &#8220;biodiversity lens,&#8221; as Hamilton&#8217;s population grows by an estimated $236,000 residents over the next three decades, thereby protecting animal and plant species and their natural habitats.
&#8220;We know we&#8217;re losing a lot of species,&#8221; said Jen Baker of the Hamilton Naturalists&#8217; Club while speaking to Hamilton&#8217;s general issues committee on Wednesday.
&#8220;We&#8217;ve lost at least 60 per cent of the world&#8217;s wildlife since 1970.&#8221;
		
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Baker adds that &#8220;we are part of a recognized biodiversity hot spot, and that&#8217;s something we really need to celebrate and to protect what we have left, and then to enhance it, to make it even better.&#8221;
Baker says the biodiversity action plan will also fight climate change by reducing air pollution, since &#8220;trees filter out harmful air particulates,&#8221; and urban flooding because &#8220;healthy natural areas help to store water.&#8221;
Other groups partnering with the city on the initiative include Environment Hamilton, the Hamilton Conservation Authority, Bay Area Restoration Council and Royal Botanical Gardens.
		
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City councillors have agreed to invest $40,000 toward the project, while the other agencies are expected to cover the balance of the approximately $90,000 cost of developing the plan.
Ward 1 Coun. Maureen Wilson calls the $40,000 investment &#8220;the very least that we have to do, the very least,&#8221; towards creation of a life-sustaining strategy.
Ward 9 Coun. Brad Clark adds that having a biodiversity plan as residential development leads to new subdivisions is a &#8220;prudent course of action.&#8221;
Staff are expected to report back to councillors with a progress update in six months.
Hamilton is home to more than 1,300 plant and animal species, according to a report presented to the general issues committee.
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Ward 9 Coun. Brad Clark adds that having a biodiversity plan as residential development leads to new subdivisions is a “prudent course of action.” Continue reading →

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