HRWP Integrated Restoration Prioritization (IRP) Scores

TRCA uses a systematic approach to restoration planning that involves prioritizing catchments where the greatest ecological benefit is achievable and then recording site-level information for terrestrial and aquatic restoration opportunities. TRCA’s Integrated Restoration Prioritization (IRP) framework considers multiple objectives related to ecosystem health and uses a comprehensive, consistent, and repeatable framework to guide restoration planning, resource investment, and implementation (Integrated Restoration Prioritization: A Multiple Benefit Approach to Restoration Planning, TRCA 2016 provides more information). The IRP methodology calculates results for a series of metrics and assigns a high, medium, low, or protection score at the catchment scale. In other words, a high priority catchment has multiple impairments and restoration could provide multiple benefits to the watershed. The protection score is a special designation given to high-value natural heritage areas where targeted restoration programs are beneficial to promote the recovery of high valued systems.