In November of 2023, staff recommended that the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee (ARAC) vote to extend Section 11 of the Site Alteration Bylaw from 2 kilometres outside the urban area to the entire rural area. Among other regulations, Section 11 prevents people from clearcutting trees without the approval of the city. Despite the recommendations of staff, on October 3, 2024, ARAC proposed that this area (initially the entire rural area around Ottawa) be restricted to just 1 kilometre outside of the urban area of Ottawa. Instead of a step forward as recommended last year, this is a step backwards. This amendment puts the natural environment at unnecessary risk, and Ecology Ottawa calls on the City to vote against the amendment to this bylaw which will be brought to council on Wednesday, October 16.
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We’re delighted to announce the publication of our Tree Report, a comprehensive overview of Ecology Ottawa’s tree program and its achievements over the past three years.
Originally inspired by the devastation wrought by the ash borer beetle beginning in 2008, the program has distributed over 60,000 native seedlings to Ottawans across the city, strengthening our invaluable tree canopy. Now, almost exactly a year after the derecho that felled tens of thousands of trees across the city, and only 50 days after a destructive ice storm, the need to strengthen our tree canopy is only more urgent.
This report details the collective efforts of Ottawa residents, volunteers, and community partners to deliver our tree program: the distribution of native seedlings, the conducting of an educational campaign, and the bringing together of our community to help make our city the green capital of Canada. We also present the results of a post-participation survey of our community partners and the wide-ranging benefits the program had both during and after giveaways.
Read the report:
As with so many of our programs, the tree campaign would not have been possible without the generous support of our dedicated volunteers. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who contributed their time, energy, and resources to make this program a resounding success. We also gratefully thank the Trillium Foundation for the Grow Grant that funded the program.
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There is no escaping the harsh weather of an Ottawa winter, especially for the trees. This season we gave away 15,000 trees at our Tree Giveaway events and now, we want to make sure you know how to prepare and care for them over the winter!
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When it rains, do you think about where that water is going once it hits the ground? Stormwater actually plays a large role in the health of Ottawa’s creeks and rivers. Where it goes once it hits the ground and what it picks up along the way can heavily impact the aquatic habitats and recreational activities that the Ottawa River provides. So, what is being done to manage it?
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Help us protect the places you love! Join us this long weekend, October 8th to 11th, for our second fall bioblitz! It is just as important to continue collecting this much needed data on Ottawa's biodiversity during the Autumn months.
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We are celebrating the 10th anniversary of National Tree Day and National Forest Week with an online Fall Bioblitz starting on Friday, September 24th! It's time for you to become a Biodiversity Champion and collect much-needed data on Ottawa's nature!
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Over the last couple of weeks, Alan Neal from CBC Radio's All In A Day has invited Ecology Ottawa on to discuss what the City of Ottawa can do about climate change.
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Did you miss Ecology Ottawa’s radio feature on 580 CFRA, Monday August 16th? No problem, you can still check it out right here!
Tree Species List 2021 **UPDATED**
Due to unexpected changes in the nursery’s stock please find the updated varieties we will have for the rest of the summer below.
Let's ask city hall to send the new Civic hospital plan back to the drawing board. The recently released hospital plan breaks a promise to put a parking garage underground and will doom 523 trees because of the area to be cleared, not only for the hospital building, but other buildings and other parking lots. With the climate crisis underway, it is particularly irresponsible to remove trees when other alternatives are available.
What: Mass Choir “Lament for the Trees,” speeches and ceremony
When: Sunday, August 15
Time: 2-4 pm
Where: Experimental Farm, field north of Building 60 (Agri-Food Policy Institute) on Birch Drive
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Otto’s BMW on Hunt Club to Pave Over a Pine Forest
In the midst of a climate emergency and devastating urban tree canopy loss in Ottawa, the City of Ottawa has approved the plan for Otto’s BMW dealership on Hunt Club to pave over 1.57 hectares of pine forest to make way for an extended parking lot.