Media Releases

Tell us your environmental priorities for 2017

As we move into 2017, we want to know what's important to you. Your priorities will help shape our work for the next year and beyond. Click any options below to get started.

Which issue below is the top priority to you?

It's the start of a brand new year. 2017 marks a time of change and celebration. Celebrations have already kicked off for Canada's 150th anniversary. Projects across the city are finishing up in time for this summer's celebrations, while other changes - light rail, the LeBreton development and a greenspace protection plan - are around the corner.

SAVE THE FARM - Protest to save our trees and greenspace

Join a group of impassioned Ottawa resident's to protest the current decision to build the Civic Hospital's new campus on the Experimental Farms.

On Saturday January 21st, at 11am, community members will meet in the Observatory parking lot (Carling and Maple Dr.) to protest this decision. If this development is approved, hundreds of mature and significant trees will be destroyed, trees that we will never be able t o get back.

Join our team!

Ecology Ottawa is looking for Interns to join a dynamic team. Interns will be asked to perform three main tasks: participate in direct outreach; receive training; and conduct work on a special project that touches on one of Ecology Ottawa’s three core campaign areas. Our core campaign areas focus on: trees and water (“Living City”); energy and climate change (“Renewable City”); and transit and active transportation (“Active City”). This position involves immersion in the tools and techniques of research, communications, event management, canvass organizing, volunteer management and data management.

Help shape the future of Elgin St. and Hawthorne Ave. - Wed., Jan. 11

Do you frequent Elgin Street and Hawthorne Avenue? Do you feel unsafe when walking or biking on these busy roads? Are you interested in creating safe and welcoming streets in Centretown and Old Ottawa East? Elgin Street and Hawthorne Avenue are going to undergo street renewal, and the City is holding a Public Open House at City Hall. The event will take place on Wednesday, January 11 at City Hall (110 Laurier Ave. West) in the Council Chambers and Jean Pigott Place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Space is limited so please register with the City by clicking here.

What's next for action on climate change in the City of Ottawa?

Will the City of Ottawa finally produce a meaningful Renewable Energy Strategy in 2017? Will Mayor Watson seize the historic opportunity represented by provincial and federal climate action to position our city as a leader on the most important issue facing humanity today?

These are the key questions that Ecology Ottawa's climate change campaign is asking going into the new year. Your support makes a huge difference. Will you help ensure local leadership on climate change and clean energy by donating $25, $50 or $100?

What's next for our living city? Trees, water, greenspace...

A million trees planted, a strong urban forest management plan for Ottawa, a new water environment strategy, and a long-term vision for greenspace connectivity and land acquisition in our city - these are the things that Ecology Ottawa worked to promote in 2016 as part of our Living City campaign.

With your support, we can build on growing momentum and make 2017 a landmark year for Ottawa's living environment. Will you support this work with a one-time donation, or become a monthly donor today?

What's next for safe streets for Ottawa's cyclists and pedestrians?

A plan to systematically build safer, more walkable, and bike-friendly streets, more money for Ottawa's pedestrian and cycling infrastructure plans, and federal and provincial support for Stage 2 light rail - these were Ecology Ottawa's sustainable transportation priorities going into this term of council. With 2016 coming to a close, it's time to reflect on what we've accomplished together and look forward into 2017.

Ecology Ottawa's 2016-2019 Strategic Plan

In 2016, Ecology Ottawa solidifed a strategic plan for the 2016-2019 period. This plan articulates Ecology Ottawa's vision around three major campaign themes - the Living City, the Active City and the Renewable City. The plan provides a high-level assessment of what we are trying to accomplish in each of these areas, and where we plan to be by 2019.

Ecology Ottawa's take on the City of Ottawa's 2017 Budget

Ecology Ottawa met with representatives of the City of Ottawa in late November to discuss the 2017 draft Budget, which was tabled for approval at City Council on Wednesday, December 14. Below is the statement made by Ecology Ottawa at that meeting, updated with more recent budget information where applicable.

Mayor Jim Watson 110 Laurier Ave. West Ottawa, ON K1P 1J1

Can Garlic injections help with some tree diseases?

Injecting trees with a concentrated form of garlic might help save trees in the UK from deadly diseases.

Operating under an experimental government licence, a prototype piece of technology to administer the solution is being trialled on a woodland estate in Northamptonshire.

Widespread use of the injection process is impractical and expensive. But it could potentially help save trees of historic or sentimental value. Garlic is one of nature's most powerful antibacterial and antifungal agents. It contains a compound called allicin, which scientists are interested in harnessing.

12 ways to have an eco friendly holiday

See original article: http://www.smallfootprintfamily.com/eco-friendly-holiday-tips

1. Make Your Own Wrapping Paper or Go Without

Most mass-produced wrapping paper you find in stores is not recyclable because of the shiny coatings, foils and colors, and therefore ends up in landfills. And sadly, most wrapping paper and ribbon is produced in Asian sweatshops!

Benefits of 'complete streets' outweigh criticisms

Ottawa Citizen writer Kelly Egan questions the merits of the City of Ottawa's complete streets approach here. Below is a response from Robb Barnes at Ecology Ottawa, which was published in the Citizen here.

[caption id="attachment_10665" align="alignnone" width="840"] churchill-avenue-one-of-ottawas-first-complete-streets-oct Photo credit: The Ottawa Citizen[/caption]

I was disappointed to read Kelly Egan’s recent column on complete streets. He recalls conversations with road users who voice concerns over potential dangers of new street designs and signage. The article focuses primarily on the driver’s user experience, describes traffic-slowing as effectively “choking off” key streets in the city-wide transportation network and ponders whether city hall has engaged in a “war on the automobile.”