On Friday March 19th, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) held its regular monthly meeting electronically. Highlights from the meeting included:
2021 Restoration Projects Approval – Second 2021 Application Intake
The Board approved sixteen restoration projects procured through the NPCA Restoration Grant Program. Total NPCA projected contributions to the selected 16 projects total $65,161.50 funded from the NPCA 2021 Restoration Program budget. The projects selected will result in 3.75 ha of reforestation, 1.4 ha of wetlands, 2.9 km of new or improved hedgerows, 1.2 ha of riparian restoration, 3.2 ha of upland restoration and one conservation farm best practice project.
Stormwater Fees Financing Study – City of St. Catharines
The Board supported the development of potential partnership opportunities with the City of St. Catharines on stormwater fees and credit programs.
Award of Legal Services Standing Offer of Agreement
Based on recommendations from the Auditor General of Ontario, the Board approved the award of a Legal Services Standing Offer of Agreement to provide legal services on an as-needed basis. Evaluation criteria was used to score each law firm, ranking the top firms for each practice discipline. The intension is for the NPCA to enter into a Standing Offer Agreement (SOA) in whole or in part with the top four (4) firms for legal services in seven (7) required practice disciplines.
Wainfleet Bog CA Pathway Designation
The Board received correspondence sent to the NPCA regarding the Wainfleet Bog’s new designation as a “protected area” based on the Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD). With this designation, NPCA’s work is recognized internationally and nationally and may allow for future funding opportunities for conservation and enhancement of the Wainfleet Bog.
Finance Committee – 2021 Work Plan
The Board approved the 2021 Finance Committee Work Plan which forms a key component of the financial reporting, planning and control structures of the organization, and identifies key priority initiatives required in the year ahead. Additionally, the Work Plan outlined how implementation of this work would be monitored against major deliverables and the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) framework.
NPCA Appointment to the Foundation
Board member Donna Cridland was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Foundation with re-affirmation set to occur at the Annual General Meeting of the NPCA in June 2021.
Links to Agendas, Minutes and Video: