Why the Greenbelt should be preserved.

The National Capital Greenbelt is one of the largest in the world and the only one that is publicly owned in its entirety.
Shirley's Bay - (800 ha.) - A provincially significant wetland; migratory bird staging and nesting area and fish habitat. The causeway acts as a bird watching venue.
Shirley's Bay Shoreline - Provides opportunities for year-round public activities.
Bishop and Sandstone Quarries - Provided stone for the construction of the Parliament Buildings.
Bruce Pit (300 ha) - A re-naturalized sand pit with diverse wildlife habitat. Outdoor recreation and interpretation potential.
Conroy Pit (110 ha) - Abandoned sand pit, recreational and development potential.
Silver Springs Farm - Historic Landmark (1867), and working farm.
Agriculture Canada Research Farms (1,700 ha.) - 1740 Woodroffe. Centre for Food and Animal Research (CFAR) monitoring research croplands and conducting animal nutrition studies for over 20 years. Animal Disease Research Institute (CADR), one of two animal health and rabies prevention/detection laboratories in Canada. (Note: During the mid-1990's the Farm was decommissioned, the animals were auctioned off and barns were demolished. The National Capital Commission paid $1 dollar for the Agriculture Canada property. Now the NCC is renting land to a film studio and a futuristic testing lab. The City of Ottawa has indicated that vacant agricultural land, situated between established neighbourhoods, is earmarked for residential development. The federal government has the power to remove the following designations:
National Interest Land Mass
National Historic Site of Canada
Classified Federal Heritage Building
Recognized Federal Heritage Building.

Ottawa-Nepean Tent and Trailer Park - Almost 300 sites accommodating visitors from across Canada and around the world.
Bell Northern Research and Northern Telecom - Telecommunications research with 8,000 employees in future. Home to the Ottawa-Carleton Wildlife Centre. (1992).
National Capital Equestrian Centre - Riding school and training centre, site of international riding and jumping events.
Farms in the western Greenbelt benefit from large areas of high-quality agricultural soils.
Hornets Nest Soccer Fields - 11 sports fields host local and provincial tournaments.
Nepean Sportsplex (1973) - Regional scale sports and recreation facility.
Pine View Golf Course - A 36-acre public course, operated by the City of Gloucester.
Log Farm - Restoration of the Bradley Farm of 1857.
Pinhey Forest (300 ha.) - Managed woodlot begun in the 1930's to prevent sand erosion. Wildlife habitat and recreational open space.
The Royal Swans, a Centennial gift from Queen Elizabeth 11, winter here in the Greenbelt.
The Greenbelt's environment has been improved by community organizations that have planted many thousands of trees.
Pine Grove Forest (1,200 ha.) Largest block of 2,600 hectares of natural and plantation forest managed by Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Multiple-use area:timber production, nature trails and wildlife habitat.
Ramsayville Hamlet - Founded in the mid-1800's. Remaining buildings form an important cultural landscape.
Over 3.6 million trees have been planted in the Greenbelt since 1966.
Black Rapids Lockstation and the Rideau Canal (1830's) - Historically and environmentally significant site at the geographic centre of the Greenbelt. Provides important boating access to the Capital.
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(Note: A few nights ago I watched a wonderful documentary on television called "Tripping the Rideau Canal." It was produced by TVOntario and can also be viewed on YouTube. The program documents a 27-km journey from Manotick to Parliament Hill and features:
1.) the Long Island Locks
2.) Vimy Memorial Bridge
3.) Black Rapids Locks
4.) Mooney's Bay
5.) the Hog's Back Locks
6.) Hartwell Lock's
7.) Dows Lake
8.) Parliament Hill 
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I never fully appreciated the beauty of my own country before and I frequently broke down in tears.)
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Jack Pine Trail (1969) - A popular winter bird feeding area with a trail and birdwalks.
Richmond Road - One of the oldest roads in the region. (1819).
Southern Greenbelt Farms, on the best soil in the Greenbelt, form a major part of the 5,000 hectares leased to about 70 farm tenants.
16 soccer fields, 6 ball diamonds, 3 golf courses, a sailing club and other recreation facilities are found in the Greenbelt.
Carlsbad Forest Reserve (1,100 ha.) Acquired in 1974 as a green buffer for the now defunct Southeast Urban Community. Mineral springs made the Carlsbad community a popular turn of the century destination, but the water was unfit for human consumption.