Category: Environment

It’s time to TREE yourself!

Please contact the Environment Committee if you have any ideas for the neighbourhood regarding the following Ecology offerings…

Our tree giveaways are starting back up!

The largest outreach effort in the history of our organization is about to begin!

For the past two years, we have been giving local native tree saplings to Ottawa-area residents. 2019 will be the largest giveaway yet. Ecology Ottawa has 12,000 trees that need to find their forever homes. This year, in addition to nine different kinds of coniferous and deciduous trees, we will be giving away a variety of fruit- and nut-bearing trees and shrubs.
Continue reading “It’s time to TREE yourself!” →

Calling all Green Thumbs

Woodland Restoration Projects:

Join your neighbours in the rehabilitation of the Champlain Woods. This year we are planting native ground cover and shrubs from a list created especially for Champlain Park by the University of Ottawa Plant Science Laboratory and the Fletcher Wildlife Garden. We hope to gradually displace the invasive species such as buckthorn and shift the plant diversity in the woods towards native trees and understory shrubs and ground cover.

If you have any of the plants on the list and would like to donate seeds or potted plants, please contact Catherine Shearer (metshag@gmail.com) or Daniel Buckles (dbuckles@sas2.net) or Adrian Bradley (adrian.bradley@sympatico.ca).

[List and Charts of Local Plants]
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April 16 Climate Vote at City Hall

Councillor Shawn Menard plans to bring a motion at Environment Committee on April 16 that would declare a climate emergency in a similar way to Gatineau, Kingston and numerous other cities.

I join Ecology Ottawa in urging citizens to tell their city councillors and the mayor that they support such a declaration.

For more info see Ecology Ottawa’s web page where there’s also info on a rally at city hall on the morning of the vote. I plan to be there.

Charles Hodgson

Wildlife Speaker Series – April 26

Heather Pearl writes:

I highly recommend the City’s Wildlife Speaker Series. Of note to many in Champlain Park is this invitation in the write-up:

If you have any questions about pollinating insects (or photos) feel free to bring them to share with Jeff and Jessica before or after the presentation. Jeff also has a passion for gardening with native plants to encourage native wildlife (including pollinators) so feel free to also come armed with questions about growing native plants.

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Earth Hour 2019 – March 30

https://www.earthhour.org/

[60+ Earth Hour]

Take the challenge!

On March 30th at 8:30 pm, join hundreds of millions of people, businesses and governments around the world as they unite to support Earth Hour.

Earth Hour is a global initiative in which communities turn off their lights for one hour to symbolize their leadership and commitment to finding solutions for environmental issues.

Things to do in the dark

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Environmental Initiatives Meeting – February 21

Interested in learning about and contributing to environmental initiatives in Champlain Park? Meet with the Environment Committee on Thursday, February 21 from 7:30 – 9:00 PM at the Field House. We will discuss the steps we can take together to foster sustainable living in a healthy urban environment, including:

  1. Planting ground cover and shrubs in conjunction with the removal of invasive species in selected spaces in the Champlain Woods
  2. Butterfly Garden in the Champlain Woods
  3. Community flower beds at Champlain Park
  4. Options for planting street trees
  5. Other items

Parliament Hill Elm Tree – February 10

Learn about the heritage elm tree at risk on Parliament Hill

What: Public event to hear about the unique features of a heritage elm tree at risk on Parliament Hill

When: Sunday February 10, 2019, 2:30 p.m. — 3:20 p.m.

Where: Elm tree located east of Centre Block on Parliament Hill

Who:

  • Representatives of the Greenspace Alliance of Canada’s Capital
  • Owen Clarkin, chair of conservation committee, Ottawa Field Naturalists Club

Come to a gathering at the base of the elm tree to learn from Owen Clarkin’s extensive knowledge of native trees and about what the Greenspace Alliance of Canada’s Capital and other groups are doing to press for protection of a heritage elm on Parliament Hill.

Background on this issue: http://greenspace-alliance.ca/index.php/threats/tree-protection-in-the-parliamentary-precinct/
Continue reading “Parliament Hill Elm Tree – February 10” →

Report on January 17th Environmental Initiatives Meeting

Report on Environmental Initiatives Meeting – January 17

The Environment Committee of the Champlain Park Community Association met with interested residents at the Field House on Thursday, January 17. There were 16 people at the meeting engaged in informative discussions and amicable debates about steps we are taking together to foster sustainable living in a healthy urban environment (the Committee mission). Follow this link to the Environment Committee page for detail.

Daniel Buckles and Adrian Bradley, Co-chairs, Environment Committee

Environmental Initiatives Meeting – January 17

Interested in learning about and contributing to environmental initiatives in Champlain Park? Meet with us on Thursday, January 17 from 7-9 PM at the Field House. We will discuss the steps we can take together to foster sustainable living in a healthy urban environment, including:

  • Rehabilitation of the “Little Woods” (Patricia and Clearview northeast corner lot)
  • Discuss extension and widening of the existing trail between Carleton, Northwestern and the Remic Rapids Woods
  • Rehabilitation of selected sections of the Champlain Woods (invasive species, tree planting)
  • City’s plan for the Northwestern median
  • Options for planting street trees
  • Update on the Pontiac Street closure
  • The Planters and potential for community garden.

Convened by Daniel Buckles and Adrian Bradley, Co-Chairs, Environment Committee of the Champlain Park Community Association.