Dear Farmland Supporters, 

A new national park is being created, just east of Toronto and Markham, spanning 60 square kilometers and including 5,000 acres of prime farmland – it is one of the most exciting opportunities for farmland protection, near-urban agriculture and local food  in our generation!
 
The Rouge National Urban Park initiative builds on decades of work by volunteers and local conservation groups, and is now being led by Parks Canada who has released a park concept document for feedback (Click Here to view).
 
Add your voice in support of agriculture and farmland protection in the park by :
  - Filling out a survey from Parks Canada about the new park by October 8th (Click Here)
  - Sending a letter to Parks Canada (Click Here for a Sample Letter)
 
To sustain farming in the park, it is important that:
  - Federally-held lands in Durham Region adjacent to the park also be permanently protected for agriculture and conservation
  - Prime farmland within the park remains available for farming activities
  - Farming areas are buffered and protected from other uses (eg. recreation)
 
Click Here to read the Farmland Trust’s full recommendations to Parks Canada.

Click Here for maps, and to learn more about the history of the Rouge National Urban Park area.
 
Thanks in advance for giving your support of local farmers and farmland protection in the GTA to Parks Canada as the development of this exciting new national park model moves forward.