“ A new lawn in the park will have the equivalent impact of producing enough clean air for 2,180 people each day .”
Environmental Benefits Natural areas have a lot of impact on the environment , and regular use provides natural maintenance for these areas . With flood warnings already in full force this spring in YQG , our natural spaces can help .
“ Natural areas help to minimize flooding impacts as they can act as nature ’ s sponges ,” says Steubing . “ These natural areas grow in importance as we see the impacts of more frequent and extreme storm events , coupled with the hard-scaping of our landscape . Natural areas help provide capacity to manage stormwater runoff .”
Green spaces also filter toxins , like pollutants and dust , from the air . One tree can remove 26 pounds of carbon dioxide from the air , according to Project Evergreen , which is an international non-profit focusing on the importance of green spaces to the average family . This organization was responsible for the overhaul and revitalization of St . James Park in Toronto after five weeks of Occupy Toronto took its toll .
“ A new lawn in the park will have the equivalent impact of producing enough clean air for 2,180 people each day ,” said project manager Alan White .
Tree canopies provide shade and reduce the need for air conditioning in urban spaces - Project Evergreen found a 31 degree difference between shaded and unshaded areas . Using tree shade cover as a natural coolant reduces the emissions from air conditioners and fans , protecting air quality .
Windsorites will be familiar with a local environmental protective initiative , in the Save Ojibway project . Ojibway Park is one of the largest remnants of tallgrass prairie , an endangered ecosystem home to many endangered plants and more rare species than anywhere else in Ontario .
“ 99 per cent of the tall grass prairie is gone ,” said Paul Pratt , a local naturalist , in an Ojibway Park video released online .
“ Patches like this are our dictionary , our teachers , to show us how all these things interact . An area like this is priceless .”
You can sign the federal petition to protect the Ojibway areas online at www . saveojibway . info .
Economic Benefits “ Companies want to invest in communities where people want to live ,” says Steubing . “ Green places and natural areas