Pollinator Patch Program

Help save the monarchs, bees, and other pollinators with these free resources

There’s been a significant decline in pollinators in the last 20 years. Without these important pollinators, life as we know it will change. But YOU can help by planting native plants on your property, and there’s a local Ottawa community group that can help you make that happen.

Not sure where to start? New to gardening? Our friends at Eco West Enders have got you covered. Anyone participating in their Pollinator Patch Program will receive FREE information on everything from how to set up your new garden, to where to source your native plants, as well as gaining online support through a private Facebook group and direct email to the Eco West Enders team.

They’ll also be selling native plants for $1 each on June 18th at the Stittsville Market At the Barn event.

Please join your 175K neighbours as we encourage them to naturalize their outdoor space to build a greener and more resilient future. We can do great things together!

For more information and to register to participate, visit ecowestenders.ca.

Tunney’s Pasture History and Future Walk – May 7

From https://mailchi.mp/b44d2e75d3d0/tunneys-pasture-redevelopment-news-december-480613…

Greetings from the Neighbours for Tunney’s Group

Greetings Neighbours for Tunney’s!

We wanted to let you know that local historian Dave Allston will be leading a Jane’s Walk right here in Tunney’s Pasture this weekend–with Neighbours for Tunney’s feeding in as well. The walk will begin behind the LRT station at 11 a.m. on Sunday morning. It is a planned two hour walk, with lots of tidbits and stories from Tunney’s Pasture’s past (former residential sections, the shantytown, the nuclear reactor, the axe factory, Cave Creek, the railways and more) and information on what we know of the redevelopment plans for the future, including details on what community members are pushing for in our important ongoing role at the table as part of the Communities Perspectives Group.

If you don’t already know, Jane’s Walks are a festival of free walking tours celebrating the ideas and work of Jane Jacobs. Jane was a scholar, author and urban activist who championed cities designed for people. Following her advice to “get out and walk,” Jane’s Walk provides a collective experience for people to become more familiar with Ottawa, and hopefully, to increase our sense of shared ownership of the city.

Find all of this year’s walks, including details on an exciting new launch event, by visiting the website here: janeswalkottawa.ca

Hope to see you Sunday!

Yours Sincerely,
Neighbours for Tunney’s

CN Cycle for CHEO (Road Closures) – May 7

From: Julie Berube (jberube@cheofoundation.com)
Date: 04/05/23 20:40
Subject: CN CYCLE 2023 – Road Closure Notification

French version to follow

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Good Evening,

On Sunday, May 7, CN Cycle for CHEO participants take to the streets to support the biggest oncology fundraiser for CHEO!

Now in its16^th year, this is a fun, non-competitive event that offers a wide range of cycling and walking routes for people of all ages, helping raise over 1 Million dollars each year to support oncology care and research for CHEO.

This year’s event will be held at the Canadian War Museum and LeBreton Flats and to ensure the safety of everyone involved, some streets will be partially closed to vehicle traffic between 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, 2023. Please refer to the attached document for the preliminary road closures. An updated version will be sent to you the week prior the event.
Continue reading “CN Cycle for CHEO (Road Closures) – May 7” →

Spring Naturehood Bird Walks

Upcoming Naturehood Outings

Spring Bird Walks

Date: Friday mornings (May 5 – early June)
Time: 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Location: Champlain Park Pollinator Garden (Carleton and Pontiac)
Leader: Jennifer Neate

Description:

As the natural world awakens from its winter sleep, the feathered migrants have begun to arrive! Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Eastern Phoebes and Chipping Sparrows have added their voices to the morning chorus and they will soon be joined by a colourful kaleidoscope of warblers.

Come out and meet some of the resident and migrant birds of your naturehood on this family-friendly outing. We will see who we can find together and practice some basic skills that will help you to locate and identify the birds around you. Bring your curiosity, a set of binoculars and a bird field guide, if you have one.

Registration is not required but if you would like to be notified of cancellations due to weather, feel free to send an email to jen@spiritwalkers.ca with the subject: “Naturehood Outing.”

The Champlain Park Environment Team Needs YOU!

The ‘green season’ is once again upon us and we need your help to care for and advance the environmental work we’re doing in our neighbourhood. We’ve got activities that suit all ages, physical / skill ability ranges, and energy levels! If you like ‘low tech’, and love trees, then we’ve got what you’re looking for.

All you have to do is register with us (https://champlainpark.org/environteers/) and then you will be free to work when you want, on any project we’ve got, for as long as you like – 5 mins or 5 weeks, we have a spot for you!

We’ll provide the coordination, an orientation session, and a ‘report back’ contact so we can track what is getting done. It’s almost too easy.

Some activities planned for this season in Champlain Woods and Champlain Park include:

‘Adopt a Tree’ care program (May/June-spongy moth countermeasures featuring the ‘burlap wrap’ in the Park)
Invasive plant species control (garlic mustard, baby buckthorn, Japanese knotwood, dog strangling vine, etc)
Insect pest patrol
Watering and general care of planting sites and the pollinator garden
New tree planting projects

To get involved, just go to the “Environ-teer Registration” link noted above. Once registered you will begin receiving notices about orientation sessions, work party updates, and any tasks that may require immediate attention. From that point, you are free to chip-in to our projects when you’re able.

Minors are welcome to participate – parental/guardian permission and supervision are currently required at the time/location of participation.

We look forward to seeing you. Have a great summer!

The Champlain Park Enviro Team

Elmdale BookFest 2023 – February 24-25

BookFest, Elmdale Public School’s iconic annual second-hand book sale, is on again.

9am to 9pm on Friday February 24th, 9am to 4pm on Saturday.

At the Elmdale Public School, 49 Iona Street, entrance off Java Street & follow the BookFest signs. Bring cash!

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/s/elmdale-bookfest-2023-/567088612012540/

[Elmdale 2023 BookFest Poster]

Wellington West Big Heart Day – February 25

On Saturday, February 25 something BIG is coming to Wellington West this HEART Season! Join together on Wellington St W between 11am – 2pm for the BIG HEART Challenge Activity Day!

All to raise money for the Ottawa Heart Institute. Proudly presented by our sponsor Wellington West Retirement Community, and in partnership with Run Ottawa.

Lining 2km of Wellington St. West are games, activities, obstacles, and challenge stations! Grab a ballot from one of the stations and begin checking off your activities as you complete challenges. Want a neat way to try all the activities? Start at one of the two start/finish makers and make your way down the street! Invite your friends and family out and have fun while raising money for the Ottawa Heart Institute through the BIG HEART Challenge!

Event page: https://wellingtonwest.ca/the-big-heart-challenge-activity-day/
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1899970357020600

Some interesting challenges in the list there, and fortunately there is snow in the forecast so there can be some snowball action. I also see “FREE Stubbe chocolate for every challenge completed!” so there’s a prize even if you only do one of the ten challenges. Hmmm, should that milk jug toss challenge be a milk bag toss? 🙂

– Alex

Cashmere & Chocolate Sale – February 11

Saturday February 11 2023 from 10am to 3pm at the Champlain Park field house, 149 Cowley Avenue.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, an afternoon that combines some of our favourite things.

On display and for sale will be high quality used and vintage cashmere sweaters and scarves and designer handbags. Several vintage clothing dealers will be hand. Expect to also find knitted hats and scarves, jewellery, exquisite chocolates and other tasty sweets.

And wait! There’s more, including double chocolate cake with tea!

Poster.pdf

Daybreak Housing Fundraiser – Successful

A message from Laurie Fagan about the fundraiser:

Well neighbours, you did it!

All 47 residents at Daybreak Housing will receive a drugstore gift card with their homemade cookie bundles this Christmas.

I didn’t doubt for a minute the generosity of residents here in Champlain Park. A huge thank you to all those who contributed – you truly are kind.

On behalf of the residents I wish you all a wonderful, joyous holiday season. 2023 is going to be great.

Laurie Fagan

Daybreak Housing Fundraiser

A message from Laurie Fagan:

As a board member of Day Break housing I reached out to our community to donate a $20 gift card for either Shoppers Drug Mart or Rexall for the 47 residents live in Daybreak houses (one on the edge of Champlain Park).

I was blown away by this community’s generosity and I have received 30 gift cards so far.

If you want to help us reach our goal we have 17 cards left to go. You can purchase the cards and contact me to drop them off. If you can’t make it to either store I can purchase them for you if you drop off the funds.

My email is: lauriefagan59@gmail.com

Thanks again – the spirit of giving is alive in our small community.