RiverSafe Communities

RiverSafe Communities Program Theme is designed to reflect the first priority mission statement:

RiverSides protects rivers by reducing runoff pollution from individual properties. We deliver the knowledge and tools people need to make the connection between personal action and healthy rivers.

RiverSafe Communities is an icon of commitment by municipalities concerned about watershed protection and smart growth for the present and future. The RiverSafe Communities framework is guided by the principles of 5 Things You Can Do For Your River and seeks to achieve effective conservation, application of LID and civic engagement.

The RiverSafe Community characterization is applicable to all property levels of a community be it a school, a business, a neighbourhood, or a town or city. The objective of the designation is to rank and reward participants as they work their way to achieving full RiverSafe status.

In the first stages of its develoment, RSC is being focused on the broader GTA Region. The program work plan for the next three years is to establish a beachhead in this area likely through partnerships with municipalities, school boards, watershed protection NGOs and Green Communities. After a three year implementation evaluation is completed, and pending successful application, media, and funding outreach, it i is proposed that the program would be expanded to a second province or region in Canada. This methods has been successfully applied to

RiverSafe Communities is structured as follows.

• Community Benchmarking – a watershed protection evaluation of the candidate site in terms of the stated 5 Things objectives whether it be for a property, neighbourhood, or municipality.
• Implementation – establishing programming to meet those elements of the 5 Things that are lacking for certification.
• RiverSafe Report Card – an evaluation of GTA  report of the progress toward the RiverSafe Communities objectives later expanded nationally as the program expands.
• Annual Award program – focused on rewarding progress in the application of the 5 Things framework.