Did you know that as of May 26th, 2016, new changes to protect urban trees have been implemented for the process of getting a distinctive tree permit in the city?
For years, urban trees have been needlessly destroyed by infill developers. However, the majority of those trees didn't need to die; their deaths could have been avoided altogether had builders followed existing measures set to protect and care for them during pre-construction and post-construction. Many trees have been destroyed because because they're stationed in no-man's land between properties, and the developing companies have just bullied their way into cutting them down or refusing to take protective measures. These new requirements extend their protection of trees to trees growing on the border of two properties: there now must be a collaboration between the two sides, in which an agreement must be met between parties to either protect or remove the tree during development.
What does this mean for us? It means that our communities must remain vigilant when it comes to trees! Don't think there's nothing you can do if you see a tree marked for destruction. If a developing company tries to cut down a tree bordering your property, your neighbour's, or the city's, make sure they've taken the legal requirements and that the owners of both sides of the tree have consented to having it cut down, or are working together to protect it.
We can't let developing companies roll right over us. We need to stand firm against trees, and now that the city is legally backing us up, it's up to us to make sure companies are aware of it, and that we won't back down to protect our trees.
For more information, please visit: http://ottawa.ca/en/residents/water-and-environment/trees-and-community-forests/how-get-distinctive-tree-permit
Latest posts
Ottawa Eco Awards 2024 - Recipients Announced!
The 2024 Ottawa Eco Awards celebrate outstanding individuals in the Ottawa community who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to environmental stewardship, sustainability leadership, and climate action. We have been thrilled with the nominations that we have received from Ottawans for our second Ottawa Eco Awards, and we are heartened to learn about the local eco champions who inspire you.
Ecology Ottawa delegates to the Environment and Climate Change Committee on the Rain Ready Ottawa program.
Ecology Ottawa was at the City Council’s Environment and Climate Change Committee on April 16, 2024, to talk about the Rain Ready Program. We’ve provided our delegations below and you can also watch the recording.
Members of ECCC invited to webinar on incineration
On April 8, we invited members of City Council’s Environment and Climate Change Committee (ECCC) to attend a webinar on incineration. This webinar is timely: Council is considering incineration as an option for dealing with Ottawa’s waste, since staff has warned Council that the Trail Road Landfill—which currently receives the majority of Ottawans’ garbage—will fill up soon.