The groundwork has been laid for the creation of a natural environment protection task force that will be operational by January 2025.
Once activated, it will serve as an advisory body to town council and administration identifying and prioritizing natural areas that should be preserved or restored.
Championed by Councillor Alex Reed, it's terms of reference were approved on Oct. 28 by town council. Reed and Morgan Nagel will represent town council on the task force and will be joined by four members of the public-at-large and a member of the Cochrane Environmental Action Committee.
Deliverables outlined in the terms of reference call for the task force will provide recommendations and guidance on developing environmental education and stewardship programs in partnership with schools, community groups, and residents through volunteer-driven initiatives.
It will see to the completion of an environmental assessment study of Cochrane's natural areas and provide recommendations to council on protected status, policy, or bylaw.
Additionally, it will provide advice on funding opportunities or partnerships to protect and conserve ecosystems within natural areas of Cochrane.
Reed brought forward a notice of motion in June that lead to the creation of the task force.
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"Council has identified in its strategic plan the needs to be stewards of the natural resources we have been blessed with within our boundaries, so is proposing that we recognize that," he said in introducing the idea in the late spring.