Media Releases

Kanata North Butternut Trees and Blanding's Turtles habitat threatened

Some 3000 homes are going to be built in Kanata North threatening the forest of Butternut trees and Blanding’s Turtle habitat that reside there.

These lands are noted by the region to be of ecological significance and a habitat for endangered species. However, the environmental assessment report states that around 150 trees will be clear cut and the Developer’s only have to plant one tree for every seven it destroys and the planting can be “offsite”. The habitat for the largest Blanding’s Turtle population in Eastern Canada will be destroyed and the Developer’s only have to promise to provide a “net benefit” for the turtles. Sadly, the developer’s only have to note the species on the list of what they are destroying and once the checklist is complete for land they are finished with their accountability.

Green Communities Canada Recommendations on the City's Term of Council Priorities

The following letter was submitted to Transportation Committee and we think it lines up will with the need for a Complete Streets policy in our city.

Download a copy here.

From Asphalt to Oasis - A Depave Story

Removing pavement can be a daunting task, but made easy when communities come together to transform asphalt into vibrant green space! Last month, Ecology Ottawa had the pleasure of collaborating with St. Anthony School on another successful Depave Paradise project within Canada’s green capital. Now that the soil has been liberated, we look forward to September for the green portion of the project. Students and volunteers will get their hands dirty and plant various native trees, herbs and flowers, for the community to enjoy.

Organic Master Gardener Course is being offered in Ottawa and Toronto Fall 2015

The Organic Master Gardener Course is once again being offered in Ottawa and Toronto in the Fall of 2015.

This challenging course teaches students the fundamentals for growing plants for ornamental or food.The material is based on the Society for Organic Urban Land Care (SOUL) organic standards. The skills learned will add to professionals own practice or business in organic land care. Students will examine the correlation and differences in plant health, human health, soil health and environmental health.

FE2015 In-depth Analysis

Riding-level Analysis

If bringing environmental leadership [G3] to Parliament is the goal this October, when we take a closer look at Ecology Ottawa’s election approach it becomes clearer why we are focused on two out the three swing ridings in our area.

Ottawa Centre:

[caption id="attachment_5310" align="alignright" width="197"] Credit: Elections Canada[/caption]

July 5 Bus to Toronto - March for Jobs, Justice & the Climate

The province of Ontario will host a pan-American dialogue on long-term climate action at a 2015 Climate Summit of the Americas in Toronto, starting July 7.

Ecology Ottawa is supporting 350 Ottawa who are arranging a bus to the July 5 Toronto March for Jobs, Justice and the Climate. Sign up here.

Results from the Mayor's Budget Tele-Town Hall

On Thursday June 25 the city invited people to call in with suggestions on the 2016 city budget. According to the Ottawa Citizen

most of the callers asked about climate change, bus lanes and road infrastructure, transit, parks, social services and events, and water rates.

Earth Day Workshop and Presentations 2015

Here are Ecology and Tree Ottawa's Workshops and Presentation Slide Shows from Earth Day 2015:

Ecology Ottawa Earth Day Workshop 2015

Presentation

King_Tree Ottawa Earth Day Presentation

Successful Depave at St. Anthony

Huge thanks to everyone who helped make Depave Paradise 2015 a success!

This Saturday, June 20^th a team of more than 30 community volunteers tackled the tearing up around 900 square feet of asphalt at St. Anthony Catholic School. The transformation that unfolded will not only provide benefits for the environment, but it will also create a more enjoyable schoolground that children can feel safe in.

CFB Rockcliffe Community Tree Conservation needs ideas on how to enforce construction regulations!

The former CFB Rockcliffe Community Design Plan (CDP) is proposing a document to be given to the City of Ottawa which will help to ensure green space is being respected by construction workers when they build. They will be presenting the material to the Planning and Development Committee for approval. Al Crosby of National Capital Free-net, needs your ideas before the City's public meeting on 25 June, 2015 at the East Gate Alliance Church on Codd`s Road. Please send any ideas you may have about keeping the construction workers accountable for green space regulations to acrosby@ncf.

Tree Ottawa is invited to attend Budget Primer Session - June 24. 2015 -- 7:30 pm City Hall

Ecology Ottawa and Tree Ottawa Team are welcome to attend the City's first-ever one-hour budget primer session on how Ottawa spends.City Treasurer, Marian Simulik and Deputy City Treasurer, Isabelle Jasmine will host this one-hour budget session for City Staff, members of public and media.They designed the Budget Primer to explain both how Ottawa spends and the City's process of preparing the annual budget for programs and services, and deciding on it. Online materials to follow the session.

Trend-Arlington Community requests that the City Protect white pine forest from re-zoning

Trend-Arlington Community Association in has made an effort to petition the City of Ottawa to protect the 100 year old white pine forest that surrounds the community in west end. The City has considered corner lot re-zoning for this outer urban area of Arlington Woods.

As James O'Grady, president of the Trend Arlington Community Association (TACA) writes,"Arlington Woods was carefully developed by Campeau in the early 1970’s under the eastern wing of a native white pine forest. The forest which boast many trees over a hundred years old, extends from Graham Creek through the Greenbelt and into Bells Corners. It grew out of the remains of the Great Fire of 1870 that destroyed much of what is now western Ottawa. Bells Corners and Stittsville were wiped out. For this reason the Trend-Arlington Community Association believes the white pine forest has tremendous heritage value to both the City of Ottawa and to the communities of the old City of Nepean."