The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

22 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday August 1, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Follow the road signs to Natural Heritage System Road signs for Oakville's Natural Heritage System (NHS) were officially unveiled on Monday. The road signs will be located along roadways in north Oakville surrounding the NHS including Bronte Road, Neyagawa Road, Sixth Line, and Ninth Line. "The NHS is one of Oakville's greatest achievements," Mayor Rob Burton said. "Our systems-based approach to protecting green space and the environment is a first in Ontario and other communities are now following our lead." The entire NHS is approximately 900 hectares of protected land (made up of woodlots, open fields, watercourses and valleys) and reflects the commitment of the landowners, the Town and Conservation Halton to protect and enhance the natural environment. The NHS is almost three times the size of New York's Central Park. The lands in the NHS, east of Sixteen Mile Creek, are currently privately owned and will be turned over to the public as development proceeds. "Environmental planning is an integral part of community development and through its role in plan review, Conservation Halton is highly supportive of the Natural Heritage System. This system will protect the natural environment and contribute to the quality of life in Oakville and the watershed as a whole," said Brian Penman, Chair of Conservation Halton. The new communities of Oakville will start to take shape as landowners begin to prepare their lands in late summer. "Our East Secondary Plan breaks new ground in creating environmentally sustainable communities," said Jane Clohecy, Commissioner of Planning and Development. "We are working with the landowners to ensure these new communities will be developed with transit-first, walkable, and diverse housing options." The new communities of Oakville include Joshua's Meadows, Glenorchy, Sixteen Hollow and 407 West. Construction of the 79-hectare sports park, located on the west side of Neyagawa Boulevard, north of Dundas Street has begun and residential development will begin once earth works have been completed and site plans have been approved by Council. For more information visit www.oakville.ca. LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER HERITAGE SYSTEM AHEAD: On hand for the unveiling of the Natural Heritage System road signs were, left to right, councillors Mark Grant, Mary Chapin, Brian Penman (chair Conservation Halton), Mayor Rob Burton, Allan Elgar, Cathy Duddeck, Ralph Robinson. The Regional Municipality of Halton www.halton.ca Free Water Wise Landscape Assessments Tired of dragging the hose around the yard? Does your irrigation system come on in the rain? During the summer months millions of litres of clean, treated drinking water is used to maintain traditional lawns and gardens. Let Halton Region help you reduce your outdoor water use with a free Water Wise Landscape Assessment. Until the end of August, Halton's Water Wise Landscape Advisor will visit your home and provide tips and tools to help you reduce outdoor water use, while still maintaining a beautiful and healthy lawn and garden. Assessment, call Halton Region at 311 or visit the website at www.halton.ca/waterconservation. Passionate about Food? If so, Halton Region is looking for you! Halton Region needs volunteers for the new Community Food Advisor (CFA) Program. What's in it for You? What Does a CFA Do? Health Department Monday, August 18, 2008, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 19, 2008, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. www.halton.ca application form. 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, Ontario L6M 3L1 010808