A volunteer citizens' alliance · Est. 2011
One of Ontario's great forests is still standing — because neighbours refused to let it fall.
The North Gwillimbury Forest stretches from the north end of Keswick to Jackson's Point — an area more than three times the size of Vancouver's Stanley Park. The Alliance has spent over a decade defending its wetlands and woodlands from development, and winning.
- 1,073
- units proposed for the wetland
- 890
- acres now a public nature reserve
- 99%
- of MLE lands protected by ruling
- 2019
- the year the appeal was won
The problem
The North Gwillimbury Forest is one of the ten largest forests in the Lake Simcoe watershed and a priceless natural asset for the Town of Georgina. Both York Region's Official Plan and provincial policy make it clear that the wetlands and significant woodlands within this forest are off limits to development.
Yet in 2018 the DG Group received permission from the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority to build a 1,073-unit Maple Lake Estates subdivision on the Paradise Beach–Island Grove provincially significant wetland. Had it proceeded, it would have driven a stake through the heart of the forest and split it in two — cutting off the Arnold C. Matthews Nature Reserve from the rest of the woods.
The Alliance fought that proposal at every step, exposing poor policy decisions and a rule-breaking application that should never have been approved. The citizens of Georgina overwhelmingly backed the position that we should not be building subdivisions in provincially significant wetlands.
What we won
From a threatened subdivision to an 890-acre public nature reserve.
In December 2019 the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal amended the Town of Georgina's Official Plan, designating more than 99% of the MLE lands as an Environmental Protection Area. The developer appealed; the appeal was rejected. The Town promised a new zoning bylaw prohibiting development on those lands.
Then, on June 16, 2021, the Honourable Caroline Mulroney, M.P.P. announced the creation of an 890-acre publicly-owned nature reserve in the North Gwillimbury Forest — all the lands owned by the DG Group between Boyers Road, Metro Road and Woodbine Avenue, including Maple Lake Estates. The reserve is owned by the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.
A priceless ecological asset for the Town of Georgina, the Lake Simcoe watershed and the Province of Ontario.
Our goals
Permanent protection
Ensure the wetlands and significant woodlands stay designated as Environmental Protection Area — protected in law, not just in principle.
Clean water for Lake Simcoe
The forest's wetlands filter and feed the Lake Simcoe watershed. Protecting them protects drinking water and fish habitat downstream.
Public access & trails
Advocate for the conservation area's trails to be reopened so residents and visitors can finally walk the forest they helped save.
Accountable decision-making
Push for conservation authority permit decisions to be public and transparent, so "Section 28" approvals can never again be made in the dark.
No sprawl in the Greenbelt
Keep development out of the Greenbelt Protected Countryside and steer growth into designated urban areas instead of onto prime farmland.
An informed public
Research materials, email bulletins and expert assistance that give residents the facts they need to make their voices heard.
Explore the record
Everything the Alliance has filed, published and been covered on — organised into four places.
Submissions & Letters
Every letter, legal opinion and submission to the Town of Georgina, the LSRCA and the Province — as PDFs.
Bulletins
Updates from the campaign as they happen. New bulletins are posted here — and emailed to subscribers.
In the News
Coverage and independent reports on the forest, the campaign and the conservation area — from local and regional press.
Donate
An all-volunteer effort. Every dollar goes directly into the campaign to protect the forest.
The public record
Submissions & Letters
Every letter, legal opinion, planning analysis and deputation filed by the Alliance and its experts with the Town of Georgina, the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Province of Ontario.
No documents match that search.
Campaign updates
Bulletins
Short, dated updates on where the campaign stands. Subscribe to the e-news list and new bulletins arrive in your inbox.
Press & reports
In the News
Coverage of the forest, the campaign and the conservation area from local and regional outlets, plus independent technical reports.
Support the campaign
Your gift keeps a forest standing.
The North Gwillimbury Forest Alliance is an all-volunteer effort. Donations pay for expert planning and legal assistance, research materials, bulletins and the day-to-day work of keeping this campaign alive.
Where your money goes
Expert planning & legal help
Funding the planners and lawyers who prepared the submissions and appeals that won the case.
Research materials
Maps, studies and evidence that make the ecological case for protection airtight.
Bulletins & outreach
Email bulletins, flyers and community meetings that keep residents informed and engaged.
The website
Maintaining the archive of letters, news and campaign history you're reading right now.
Please note: The Alliance cannot issue charitable tax receipts. It is a grassroots citizens' group, not a registered charity — but as an all-volunteer effort, every dollar you give goes directly into the campaign.
Give today
The easiest way to give is by PayPal. You do not need a PayPal account — a credit card works. PayPal is a completely secure way to donate online.
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North Gwillimbury Forest Alliance430 Raines Street
Keswick, Ontario L4P 3C8
Thank you to our generous supporters.