Media Releases

Ecology Ottawa’s MILLION Tree Initiative hosting 3 interactive Workshops to help save Ottawa’s tree canopy!

OTTAWA (January 20^th, 2015) – Ecology Ottawa, in collaboration with RBC, will be hosting the first of a 3 part series of Tree Ottawa workshops this Tuesday, January 20^th, at the Centerpointe RBC branch. If you want to know how to protect, plant, and promote Ottawa trees, these workshops are the place to be!

“With Ottawa losing over 20 million Ash trees in the next 3-5 years, it is essential that more Ottawans get involved. This is why we have organized our Workshops: to give people the information they need to help in any way they can.” said Velta Tomsons, Tree Ottawa Organizer.

"The Human Scale" free movie screening on Jan. 29th

WHAT: Free screening of The Human Scale, panel discussion, question & answer session WHEN: January 29, 2015 at 6pm - 8:45pm

WHERE: The ByTowne Cinema, 325 Rideau Street

Please join us for a free screening of the excellent documentary, The Human Scale, and stay for 30 minutes after the film as a panel of experts discuss what the City of Ottawa has done well and what it can do better related to urban planning, sustainable transportation, and creating a more liveable city. Questions from the audience will follow. The capacity of the venue is 650 people, so we encourage you to please RSVP here.

Three New Energy East Reports Now Available!

Ahead of the upcoming Ontario Energy Board hearings on Energy East, we're proud to release three new reports that focus on why Energy East is a huge risk that we can't afford.

The first document is our "Guide to Energy East".

It's a very in-depth document that outlines our major concerns with the proposed pipeline, as well as how we intend to stop it from being built. It's a very good place to get the most up-to-date information on the pipeline and our campaign.

Creating a Culture of Water and Energy Efficiency

The Ecology Action Centre in Halifax, NS, recently released the report “Creating a Culture of Water and Energy Efficiency in Nova Scotia Communities”.

With contributions from several Ecology Ottawa Water Team members, the report describes water consumption, water leakage, and energy use at water utilities, and provides recommendations that will allow communities to save water, energy and money.

Tree Ottawa Workshops Just Around The Corner!

Our first Tree Ottawa Workshop is coming up fast! A range of experts will present on topics such as the Emerald Ash Borer and the City of Ottawa’s tree planting program; the benefits and considerations of planting local indigenous trees; and on how to organize a successful tree planting event in your neighbourhood. Space is limited so please RSVP today!

The New City Council and How It Shapes Up For the Environment

[caption id="attachment_4674" align="alignright" width="300"] Photo Credit - Jean Levac Ottawa Citizen[/caption]

As 2014 rolled toward its end we learned how our newly elected city council would work together.

Here Ecology Ottawa reviews the makeup of the city’s standing committees and what their members have told us about important local environmental issues.

Reminder: Adopt-a-Tree Outreach Volunteer Session Tonight!

Did you make a New Year's resolution to do more volunteer work in 2015? Do you love the trees in our community and want help them keep growing healthy and strong?

We’ve just rolled out our free web-based Adopt-a-Tree Mapping Tool, and we need several passionate individuals to go out and promote it! This is a relationship building opportunity, and not for the shy. If you love talking to people, enjoy being outside and active, have good technical skills, and are passionate about trees, then this would be a great project for you!

Tell the Ontario Energy Board: No to Energy East!

Join Ecology Ottawa and other groups on January 22^nd to have your say on the controversial Energy East pipeline.

The Ontario government will be in Ottawa as part of a set of provincial consultations. We need you to be there to ensure they hear loudly and clearly that residents of Ottawa say ‘NO’ to Energy East.

When: Thursday, January 22, 630-9pm Where: Brookstreet Hotel, 525 Legget Drive, Kanata (Map)

Mark Your Calendars: Tree Ottawa Workshops Coming Soon!

Everyone Loves Trees! Ecology Ottawa and RBC are hosting workshops to introduce Tree Ottawa and the scope of our work to the residents of Nepean, Kanata, and Orléans. A range of experts will present on topics such as the Emerald Ash Borer and the City of Ottawa's tree planting program; the benefits and considerations of planting local indigenous trees; and on how to organize a successful tree planting event in your neighbourhood. You'll also get a chance to meet some of our Tree Ottawa Champions, and your local councillor:

Mark Your Calendars: Tree Ottawa Workshops Coming Up!

Wetlands: A Vital Component of Ottawa's Water Environment Strategy

“The once seemingly separable types of aquatic ecosystems are, we now know, interrelated and interdependent. We cannot expect to preserve the remaining qualities of our water resources without providing appropriate protection for the entire resource.”[1]

The Critical Value of Wetlands

Wetlands provide a host of ecological services, including water purification, ground water and surface flow regulation, wildlife habitat, flood and surge impact reduction, water temperature moderation, erosion control, and stream bank stabilization.

Green Communities Canada Walking School Bus Project in Ottawa

The pilot phase of the Ottawa Walking School Bus (WSB) Project launched on September 29th at eight schools and ended on December 19th. While they are well-known as an effective ways to support and increase active school travel, traditional parent volunteer-organized WSBs have often proven difficult to sustain. This project tested a model using WSB leaders who, like an adult crossing guard, are screened, trained, remunerated and supervised by the Ottawa Safety Council.