Links

This section includes links to partners and other community organizations working for a healthy and environmentally responsible Ottawa. It is followed by useful urban environment resources from Ottawa and other cities.

Local groups:

ActCity Ottawa
http://ato.smartcapital.ca/actcity
This is a collaborative web site called ActCity Ottawa for the purpose of providing another avenue for exchange of ideas on social and environmental issues affecting our lives.

Alpine Club of Canada - Ottawa Section
http://alpineclubottawa.ca/
Established in 1906, the Alpine Club of Canada has a proud history of alpine activity, backcountry hut operation, access protection and environmental conservation that continues today. The Ottawa Section of the Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) is made up of outdoor enthusiasts who have a passion for rock and ice climbing, backcountry hiking, cross-country skiing and/or mountaineering. ACC maintains a regular schedule of activities in the Ottawa area that varies with the seasons.

Canada Green Building Council Ottawa Region Chapter
www.cagbc.org/chapters/ottawa/index.php
The Ottawa Region Chapter is a non-profit corporation that fosters the development of green buildings and the green building community in Ottawa, Gatineau, Eastern Ontario, and Western Quebec.

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) Ottawa Valley Chapter
http://www.cpaws-ov-vo.org/
CPAWS is a wilderness protection non-profit organization whose mission is to establish new parks protected areas, and make sure nature comes first in their management. The Ottawa Valley/Outaouais Chapter was founded in 1969.

Citizens for Safe Cycling
http://www.safecycling.ca/
Citizens for Safe Cycling (CfSC) is a voluntary association of cyclists who work for better, safer, environmentally – friendly cycling in Ottawa.

City of Ottawa
http://www.ottawa.ca/
City of Ottawa's website

City of Ottawa Environmental Advisory Committee http://ottawaeac.wordpress.com/

The Environmental Advisory Committee is made up of citizen volunteers tasked with providing advice to City Council on the full remit of sustainable development and environmental issues facing the City of Ottawa.

City Repair Ottawa
http://www.cityrepair.ca
City Repair Ottawa is a grassroots organization of volunteers dedicated to helping people self-organize to create socially, environmentally, culturally, and economically vibrant communities.

The Coalition for a Healthy Ottawa
http://www.flora.org/healthyottawa/
The Coalition for a Healthy Ottawa (CHO) is a coalition of individuals, health care professionals, scientists, and health and environmental organisations working to ban the cosmetic use of lawncare pesticides in Ottawa.

 

The Coaltion to Protect the South March Highlands
http://southmarch.wordpress.com/
The coalition to protect the South March Highlands is a group of concerned citizen and organizations voicing their concerns about development. We want a City that values its wild places and green spaces.

 

The Envirocentre
http://www.envirocentre.ca 
The EnviroCentre offers:

♦ Free energy-efficiency goods and services for low-income households

♦ An ecoMobility program that helps workplaces facilitate better commuting practices

♦ A retail store where you can buy hard-to-find energy-efficiency products like silent bathroom fans, fireplace draft stoppers, dimmable CFLs, and hot water tank insulating blankets

 

Faith and the Common Good
http://www.fcgottawa.ca
Faith and the Common Good is a multi-faith environmental network working with faith communities in Ottawa.

Friends of the Carp River
http://www.friendsofthecarpriver.com
Volunteers dedicated to restoring the ribbon of life along the Carp River. 

Friends of the Farm
http://friendsofthefarm.ca
The Friends of the Central Experimental Farm (FCEF) is a volunteer organization helping to care for the Arboretum, the Ornamental Gardens and other public areas of the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa.

Friends of the O-Train
http://friendsoftheotrain.org
The Friends of the O-Train is a volunteer organization of transit experts and advocates. Visit their website for useful presentations and resources on transportation in Ottawa.

FullCircles Ottawa
http://ottawa.fullcircles.org
FullCircles Ottawa's mission is to actively promote sustainable economies, values of conservation and simplicity through local sharing communities.

Greenbelt Coalition of Canada's Capital Region
http://www.greenbeltcoalition.ca/
The Greenbelt Coalition of Canada's Capital Region was formed in the fall of 2008 to provide a strong community-based voice in relation to the National Capital Commission's review of the 1996 Greenbelt Master Plan. It is comprised of 15 local environmental and community organizations. 

Greenspace Alliance of Canada's Capital
http://www.greenspace-alliance.ca
The Greenspace Alliance works to preserve green places in the National Capital area.

Imagine Ottawa
http://www.imagineottawa.ca/
An annual City Social Forum held in September where citizens learn from local experts on some of Ottawa’s issues relating to housing, poverty, democracy, environment, arts, culture and community and how we can make a difference.

Just Food
http://www.justfood.ca
Just food works to ensure that Ottawa is Food Secure. Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs, as well as to culturally acceptable food preferences for an active and healthy life. As well, foods are produced as locally as possible, and their production and distribution are environmentally, socially and economically just.

Kanata Environmental Network
http://www.kanataenvironmentalnetwork.com/
The Kanata Environmental Network (KEN) is a grassroots, non-partisan, non-profit environmental group located in the community of Kanata (part of Ottawa). Through a public education program and other networking initiatives, our team of volunteers is working on two key fronts to: reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our cars and homes. and eliminate the cosmetic use of pesticides on our lawns, trees, and gardens.

OPIRG
http://opirg-gripo.ca/
OPIRG – Ottawa’s mission is to bring together and build upon a broad-based community dedicated to social, economic and environmental justice. OPIRG is concerned with the contribution students, the university and the community can make towards social change.

Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club
http://www.ofnc.ca
Founded in 1879, the Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club (ONFC) is the oldest natural history club in Canada. Over 1000 members have interests in all aspects of the natural world, from birding to botanizing, investigation to publication, conservation to cooperation.

Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee
http://www.ottawaforests.ca
The Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee (OFGAC) was established in the fall of 2001 to advise Ottawa City Council and provide a forum for citizens on issues related to trees and forests.

Ottawa Horticultural Society
http://www.ottawahort.org
The Ottawa Horticultural Society (OHS) conducts community beautification projects and encourages the use of native plants in gardens as well as gardening without pesticides.

Ottawa-Orleans Environment Network
http://orleansenvironment.ning.com/
The Ottawa-Orleans Environment Network is a portfolio of programs that seek to move the "green" discussion in our community to grounded practice. A part of Team Ottawa-Orleans, this network brings people, ideas, and resources together to identify and find real solutions to issues that affect the community.

Ottawa Riverkeeper
http://ottawariverkeeper.ca/index.html
Ottawa Riverkeeper is a citizen-based, charitable organization working to serve as an independent voice for the Ottawa River. Ottawa Riverkeeper is committed to ensuring a healthy, ecologically sustainable Ottawa River for the well-being of all.

Ottawa River Canoe Club
http://www.ottawarivercanoe.com
The Ottawa River Canoe Club is a non-profit organization with a volunteer Board of Directors. In its fourth year of operation, ORCC offers a variety of recreational and competitive paddling sport activities and programs for all age groups.

Ottawa Sustainability Fund

www.osfund.ca

The Ottawa Sustainability Fund is a community endowment fund which supports local organizations and projects which foster a sustainable society in the City of Ottawa. 

 

Ottawa Sustainability Network
http://sustainability-journal.ca
The focus of the Ottawa Sustainability Network is on urban sustainability, particularly with respect to homes and other buildings. Its monthly Sustainability Journal provides a means for authors to publish technical articles on the subject.

Our Ottawa
http://ourottawa.ca/
We are an all-volunteer group made up of members of community associations, advocacy groups, advisory committees and communities across the City.  We are commmunity leaders who have been active on issues like public transit, the urban boundary and the City budget.

Outdoor Education Council of Ottawa
http://www.ottawaoutdooreducation.ca
Connects K-12 students and community members to outdoor and experiential learning opportunities through curriculum-based programs, day camps, and community events.

Oxygène
http://www.cluboxygene.qc.ca/
Le club de randonnée de l'Outaouais. Le mandat du club est d'offrir des activités de randonnée pédestre dans des sentiers en nature aux membres.

Rideau Trail Association
http://www.rideautrail.org/
The Rideau Trail Association is a non-profit organization and a founding member of Hike Ontario. Its purpose is to preserve and maintain a hiking trail from Kingston to Ottawa. The Ottawa Club of the RTA organizes outings in all seasons of the year.

Ripple Adventure
http://www.rippleadventure.ca
Ripple Adventure is an Ottawa based company that creates opportunities for adventure, exploration, and enjoyment of the outdoors.

Sierra Club Ottawa Group
http://ottawa.sierraclub.ca/
The Ottawa Group is an organization made up of volunteers who are involved in environmental campaigns and conservation projects of interest in the Ottawa region.

Sustainable Living Ottawa East (SLOE)
http://www.sustainablelivingottawaeast.ca/
Sustainable Living Ottawa East (SLOE) works towards a vision of Old Ottawa East as a leading green community through projects that help people in Old Ottawa East to take concrete, practical steps to live more sustainably (reduce environmental pressures). We also look for opportunities to promote the health of the local economy and the well-being of residents.

Sustainable Living Ottawa West
http://sustainableottawawest.ning.com/
A network in the west end of Ottawa discovering ways to live in an environmentally sustainable, socially just and spiritually fulfilling way.

Sustainable Ottawa
http://www.sustainableottawa.ca/
Sustainable Ottawa was initiated by local citizens interested and concerned about the environment, as a response to collective environmental concerns, and questions about access to sustainable technologies that reduce an individual's environmental footprint. Sustainable Ottawa exists as a buyer's Co-Operative that provides its membership with lower prices for goods and services by organizing bulk purchases and installations of small to medium scale sustainable technologies.

Transition Ottawa
www.transitionottawa.ning.com
Transition Ottawa is a social networking web site and wiki, devoted to encouraging and supporting local Ottawa initiatives towards self reliance and resilience in the face of climate change and peak oil. The site is intended as a focal point for Ottawa efforts in becoming a "Transition Town', which would foster self-sufficiency at the individual, community and local levels, cultivate positive visions for our future, and promote local resilience.

Urban Rideau Conservationists
http://urbanrideauconserve.blogspot.com
Urban Rideau Conservationists are an action-oriented volunteer organization working to conserve the Ottawa section of the Rideau River and its surrounding watershed. They organize a fun annual Mother's Day cleanup of the shores of the Rideau River in Ottawa, as well as various
other events.

Waste-line
http://www.perc.ca/waste-line/
Waste-Line is a project of the Peace and Environment Resource Centre to inform and involve the people of the Ottawa region in waste issues.

City of Ottawa plans and documents

Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan
http://ottawa.ca/city_services/planningzoning/2020/air/index_en.shtml
This Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan is a supporting document to the Environmental Strategy that was approved by city council in October 2003. This plan provides a context for climate change and air quality issues within the city, proposes both a corporate and community target for greenhouse gas emission reduction and outlines the measures the city should undertake to reach this target.

City of Ottawa: Planning and Growth Management 2006 Departmental Business Plan (draft)
http://www.ottawa.ca/calendar/ottawa/citycouncil/csedc/2005/08-23/ACS2005-PGM-DCM-0002%20Document%201.htm

Report to Planning and Environment Committee and Council 2 December 2004: Submitted by: Ned Lathrop, Deputy City Manager, Planning and Growth Management: Subject: Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan.
http://www.ottawa.ca/calendar/ottawa/citycouncil/pec/2004/12-14/ACS2004-DEV-POL-0063.htm
This is the recommendation from the City bureaucracy to the Council that they approve the Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan. The second part of this report (called Document 2) includes a grid of targets that the city set out for itself under the plan.

Useful documents from other cities and governments

Greenhouse Gas Action Guide (British Columbia)
http://www.ghgactionguide.ca/
This guide provides a menu of actions for municipalities to consider in the formation of their local initiatives and is compatible with other resources that facilitate municipal efforts to address climate change.

Calgary Climate Change Action Plan
http://www.calgary.ca/docgallery/bu/environmental_management/climate_change_program/target_50_climate_change_action_plan.pdf

Other organizations working on urban ecology issues

BEST (Vancouver, British Columbia)
http://www.best.bc.ca/
BEST is the region’s most active and clear voice for sustainable transportation choices.

C40 (International)
http://www.c40cities.org/
C40 is a group of large cities committed to tackling climate change.

Community Energy Association (British Columbia)
http://www.communityenergy.bc.ca/
The Community Energy Association (CEA) is a charitable, non-profit society taking action on climate change and energy sustainability by assisting communities to develop and implement energy efficiency and green energy initiatives.

ecoPerth (Perth, Ontario)
http://www.ecoperth.on.ca/
Perth has set out on the road to show how a small town,in central Canada, can respond to the issues of climate change. Partnering with local businesses, groups and individuals, ecoPerth is about making projects happen - projects that are environmentally sustainable and economically efficient. The have a useful list of resources for people and communities on their site in the 'downloads' section.

Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) - Green Municipal Fund (Canada)
http://gmf.fcm.ca/Home/
The fund provides below-market loans and grants, as well as education and training services to support municipal initiatives that improve air, water and soil quality, and protect the climate.

ICLEI (International)
http://www.iclei.org/
Local governments join the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) campaign by passing a resolution pledging to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their local government operations and throughout their communities. To help cities achieve their goals, ICLEI then assists the cities to undertake the CCP's five milestones.

Low Income Energy Network (LIEN) (Ontario)
http://www.lowincomeenergy.ca/A55AB4/lien.nsf/All/home
The Low-Income Energy Network: aims to ensure universal access to adequate, affordable energy as a basic necessity, while minimizing the impacts on health and on the local and global environment of meeting the essential energy and conservation needs of all Ontarians; promotes programs and policies which tackle the problems of energy poverty and homelessness, reduce Ontario's contribution to smog and climate change, and promote a healthy economy through the more efficient use of energy, a transition to renewable sources of energy, education, and consumer protection.

Natural Resources Canada: Sustainable Buildings and Communities Group
http://www.sbc.nrcan.gc.ca/home_e.asp

The Sustainability Network
http://www.sustain.web.ca
The Sustainability Network's mission is to enrich Canadian environmental leaders and nonprofit organizations through programs, services and support that help them increase their capacity to lead, manage and strategize. The Network is about sustaining the organizations that work on sustainability. Their site contains information on service providers that can help environmental nonprofits and links to Internet based information on NGO management issues.

Toronto Environmental Alliance
http://torontoenvironment.org
Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA)'s mission is to promote a greener Toronto. TEA works with concerned individuals, community groups, professionals and workers, encouraging the participation of local people on local issues.

Urban Ecology (Berkeley, California)
http://www.urbanecology.org/history.htm
Urban Ecology was founded in 1975 by visionary architects and activists who believed that cities should serve both people and nature. From the beginning, Urban Ecology has used urban planning, ecology, and public participation to help design and build healthier cities.

Urban Ecology Centre (Montreal, Quebec)
http://www.urbanecology.net/
The goal of the Urban Ecology Centre is to build and share expertise concerning the most viable approaches to sustainable urban development and how they may best be implemented in our neighbourhoods and city.
Key Resources: The Green Up Manual - A pratical guide of ecological solutions for the home, the yard and beyond (Available to order).

Urban Ecology Institute (Maine)
http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/research/urbaneco/
The Urban Ecology Institute studies the emerging field of urban ecology to help residents understand the natural resources in their communities and take action to protect them.