places of the heart

Photo: Bannister Lake, Dumfries Township, Region of Waterloo is one of those quiet places where the heart can find peace.

This spot will gain further protection when it becomes part of the Blair-Bechtel-Cruickston Environmentally Landscape that will place buffers around green sacred spaces and green corridors to link them. According to Larry Lamb, University of Waterloo ecologist, such an environmentally sensitive landscape definition is very important as "it doesn't just protect the natural areas but the character of the landscape. It's the tapestry of the landscape, the fence rows, stone walls and farms, not just the natural areas that need to be protected."

Under this designation, no residential developments will be allowed to proceed; however, those with a registered lot of record will be allowed a building permit.