Invasive, aggressive and spreading, the Emerald Ash Borer is killing millions of trees every year in the nation's capital decimating the urban canopy and costing taxpayers millions of dollars as the city struggles to ensure parks and streets are safe from falling trees.
While politicians regularly commit to planting new trees when the cameras are rolling, city council hasn't approved a Urban Forest Management Strategy since before 2003 when the last plan expired.
Did you know: The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority has been planting trees on private land since 1983! Would you like to replant your property? Check out their program and watch this video to learn more!
Ecology Ottawa has been supporting a small neighbourhood team in clean-up and advocating for segment of Sawmill Creek for two years now. This hidden stretch of the urban creek has undergone dramatic changes as Ottawa South as been developed, particularly as the South Keys shopping centre has grown.
[caption id="attachment_4401" align="alignleft" width="300"] Looking North toward South Keys Mall[/caption]
Ecology Ottawa Volunteer Carol Gravelle attended the all-candidates debate on the environment in Ward 17 (CAPITAL WARD) on October 15th to report back on how candidates answered questions. On election day incumbent David Chernushenko was re-elected and we look forward to seeing how he implements the plans he mentioned in his responses over the next 4 years.
“I’m crossing the country to join Canadians from all walks of life, coming together to protect the people and places we love. It’s the most important thing I’ve ever done.”
~ David Suzuki
I was one of the lucky people who got to attend the Blue Dot Tour when it stopped in Ottawa. The David Suzuki Foundation spearheaded this cross-country tour, intended to be a grass roots call to action – for Canada to once again be a leader on the issues of environment and social justice. The tour is part of a larger vision of bringing together communities, to push for a future where decision-making happens with our well-being in mind. Starting with towns and cities making municipal declarations, the ultimate goal is to have constitutional recognition of environmental rights and responsibilities.
The City of Ottawa has a number of bodies that citizens can serve on, most importantly for our purposes is the Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee.
The following list of links lead to answers to Ecology Ottawa’s pre-election environmental issues survey given by winning candidates in Ottawa’s 2014 municipal election.
As a result of the 2014 Ottawa municipal election Scott Moffatt was returned as councillor for Ward 21 Rideau-Goulbourn.
In the run-up to the election Ecology Ottawa asked all candidates a series of questions on important environmental issues.
Here’s how Scott Moffatt answered.
Complete Streets:
Many Ottawa streets are dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians and too many neighbourhoods lack affordable and convenient public transportation options. Badly designed streets discourage active and healthy lifestyles and limit transportation choices. In 2013, City Council adopted a Complete Streets policy that will put more emphasis on designing streets for all ages, abilities and users (pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users, as well as cars).
As a result of the 2014 Ottawa municipal election George Darouze became councillor for Ward 20 Osgoode.
In the run-up to the election Ecology Ottawa asked all candidates a series of questions on important environmental issues.
Here’s how George Darouze answered.
Complete Streets:
Many Ottawa streets are dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians and too many neighbourhoods lack affordable and convenient public transportation options. Badly designed streets discourage active and healthy lifestyles and limit transportation choices. In 2013, City Council adopted a Complete Streets policy that will put more emphasis on designing streets for all ages, abilities and users (pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users, as well as cars).
As a result of the 2014 Ottawa municipal election Stephen Blais was returned as councillor for Ward 19 Cumberland.
In the run-up to the election Ecology Ottawa asked all candidates a series of questions on important environmental issues.
Here’s how Stephen Blais answered.
Complete Streets:
Many Ottawa streets are dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians and too many neighbourhoods lack affordable and convenient public transportation options. Badly designed streets discourage active and healthy lifestyles and limit transportation choices. In 2013, City Council adopted a Complete Streets policy that will put more emphasis on designing streets for all ages, abilities and users (pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users, as well as cars).