City receives $2.25 million boost for biodiversity plan

 The city's ecology got a boost Oct. 30 from both Vale Inco and Xstrata Nickel.

The mining companies are contributing a total of $2.25 million over the next five years to increasing biodiversity in the Greater Sudbury area, both on their land and in other parts of the city.

Biodiversity refers to increasing the amount and variety of species located in a given area.

Vale Inco is contributing $1.25 million and Xstrata Nickel $1 million.

Both companies volunteered the contributions, noted Stephen Monet, Greater Sudbury
manager of environmental planning.

Representatives from both companies made the funding announcement at a press conference held in honour of the launch of Greater Sudbury's Biodiversity Action Plan.

None of their existing budgets for activities, such as Vale Inco's $4.5 million Gatchell and West End slag heap re-greening effort, or Xstrata's site restoration efforts, will be affected by this funding announcement.

“We are continuing with the ecological recovery of the area,” said Monet.

Monet said that now involves planting species on the forest floor that provide habitat for insects, berries for birds such as partridge and paying more attention to planting zones beside area lakes and rivers.

Laurentian University biology professor Peter Beckett said plants being considered
include native bunchberry, mayflower and various lilies. He said test plots had already been conducted beside the Jane Goodall trail in Coniston.

“Some of the species really took off (after being established), said Beckett.

Another key part of the action plan is the building partnerships with a variety of groups, organizations and experts.

Horticultural groups can make a contribution by encouraging residents to plant trees and shrubs on their properties. Residents who have bird feeders can be assisted by bird watching groups to accurately monitor local bird populations.

The city already has consulted with about 650 residents through stakeholder meetings, telephone surveys and public meetings, said Monet.

Residents have a month to make comments on the draft document. It will be available at area libraries and leisure centres and online at www.greatersudbury.ca/biodiversity.

A final document will be ready by late 2009. Monet however said the document is a “living document” that can be updated on a regular basis with further public participation over the oncoming years.

Comments can be e-mailed to [email protected] or mailed to PO Box 5000, STN A, 200 Brady St., Sudbury, ON, P3A 5P3.