Media Releases

Ecology Ottawa joins 75 groups to call Prime Minister and Premiers to take action

75 North American groups call Prime Minister and Premiers to take swift action to meet Canada’s new climate goal.

Vast Majority of Carbon Reserves Must Stay in the Ground to meet 1.5C target

January 27, 2016

On the eve of a meeting of Canada’s Environment Ministers in Ottawa to talk about the national climate strategy, 74 organizations, representing millions of people in Canada and the U.S., sent an open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canada’s premiers outlining the steps Canada needs to take to fulfill its international commitment to limit global warming to 1.5 C, as agreed to by 195 countries at the Paris climate summit.

Internship: Renewable City Community Organizer/Coordinator

Ecology Ottawa is looking for Interns to join the dynamic Renewable City team. The Intern will be asked to perform two main tasks: provide administrative assistance and assist in the coordination of volunteers for the Renewable City campaign. This position involves immersion in the tools and techniques of research, communications, event management, canvass organizing, volunteer management, data management, as well as the organizing philosophy of Ecology Ottawa.

Province Seeking Public Input on Improving Pollinator Health

Ontario Taking Action to Reduce Pollinator Losses

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Ontario is seeking public feedback on a draft action plan to improve pollinator health and reduce pollinator losses.

Pollinators, including honey bees, are essential to Ontario's agricultural sector and contribute approximately $992 million worth of economic activity annually to the economy. The province became the first jurisdiction in North America to protect bees and other pollinators through new rules introduced on July 1, 2015, to reduce the number of acres planted with neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seeds by 80 per cent by 2017.

Submit ideas to green Canada's capital!

The National Capital Commission (NCC) is preparing a plan that could transform Ottawa, and we need your help to steer them in the right direction.

As Canada prepares for our 150th anniversary in 2017, Ottawa is gaining a lot of attention. The NCC has announced that they are preparing a 50-year plan for Canada’s capital region that will be launched in 2017 and they want to identify 17 major initiatives that will transform Ottawa.

Help Shape Ottawa’s Greenspace! Tell NCC you want a LIVING monument!

***SUBMISSION PERIOD NOW OVER. A big thank you to those of you who showed your support!***

As we approach 2017, Canada’s 150th anniversary as a country, the National Capital Commission is looking for your ideas to help transform Ottawa. They are planning to launch seventeen major initiatives that will change the face of this city over the next 50 years.

Forests Ontario Presents: REGENERATION

Friday, February 25, 2016 at Nottawasaga Inn, Alliston (1 hour north of Toronto), Forests Ontario will be holding their annual conference.

The regeneration of our forests depends on our ability to engage future generations of environmental leaders. How do we address the many challenges threatening sustainability and mobilize an environmentally engaged society to support our forests? Are we ready for tomorrow?

Support the February 16 Environment Committee Motion

On February 16 an important motion comes before the City of Ottawa’s Environment Committee.

The motion proposes five things:

That the City strenghten its greenhouse gas emissions reduction target to match the more ambitious Ontario provincial target
That Mayor Jim Watson join an international climate initiative called “the Compact of Mayors”
That David Chernushenko work with multiple city departments and outside groups to generate an implementation plan to reach the more ambitious targets

Your Right to Speak at City Hall

Ottawa City Hall Council Chamber Andrew Haden Featured1

As a resident of the City of Ottawa you have the right to express your opinions to your city government. Aside from phone calls and emails citizens have the opportunity to speak directly to elected decision makers at certain city meetings that are open to the public. Here’s how it works:

Decisions at Ottawa City Hall are made official by being approved by City Council but there are several stages to a decision before it gets to that final vote.

Volunteer: Complete Streets Team Member (Active City Campaign)

Volunteer opportunity – Complete Streets Team Member (Active City Campaign)

Do you care about better cycling and pedestrian infrastructure for all ages and abilities? Our Active City Campaign needs your help! Ottawa need to increase the number of streets that are walkable and favors the use of active transportation. An important focus of the Active City Campaign is to encourage the City of Ottawa to move towards implementing complete streets that are designed to support all modes of transportation (cyclists, pedestrians, public transit, cars, etc.).

OPERI Presents: Beyond Measure Screening

OPERI Announces the Screening of Beyond Measure

Beyond Measure is being screened at the St. Paul University Amphitheatre on the evening of January 28^th. Parents of young children are particularly urged to attend because they have time to help affect change in time for their children to benefit. School councils are also urged to send representatives who will report back to help ensure that parents are kept informed of promising options.

The increasing population of liana inhibit a forest's ability to capture carbon

As tropical forests take over abandoned agricultural land, scientists expect these new forests to mop up industrial quantities of atmospheric carbon. However, the growing population of liana may be hindering the carbon absorption of the trees. This invasive vine is more drought-tolerant than most other trees, allowing the vine to flourish in times of disparity. Read More at Science Daily.

The Communauté Métropolitaine de Montréal opposes Energy East

At a press conference this morning, the Communauté Métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM), representing 82 municipalities, announced their official opposition to the Energy East Pipeline. Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre, president of the CMM, was joined by the Mayors of Laval, Longueuil, Repentigny and Candiac to make the announcement.

Coderre has called the Energy East Pipeline risky in the past, and this morning expressed doubts that the project presents any significant economic benefits to the City of Montreal.