Objections to New Embassy Row + February 10 Webinar

Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2021 08:38:55 -0500
From: DANIEL BUCKLES <dbuckles@sas2.net>
Subject: Solidarity with Mechanicsville Community Association

[…] The affected lands are very close to us so is relevant to our neighbourhood as well, and likely to become even more relevant over time. […]

Please write to the NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum (c/o assistant Sarah.Skrzek@ncc-ccn.ca) to indicate your solidarity with a call by the Mechanicsville Community Association and Big Trees of Kitchissippi to withdraw its plan to build diplomatic offices and parking lots on prime greenspace along the Ottawa River. Consider participating as well in an online forum on the development hosted by Councillor Leiper.
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SJAM Winter Trail – Christmas Tree Reuse

The SJAM Winter Trail is collecting cleaned up Christmas Trees for use as a windbreak. Yes, your #xmas2020 tree still have a lot more lovin’ to give! Your little sweet heart can spend the rest of the winter sheltering the wind and making this rest area, or what we call the #NordicVillage, a winter’s paradise. @NCC_CCN

We are accepting your recycled Christmas Trees at 2 locations:

Remic Rapids Park

Next to the Remic Rapids outhouse – https://twitter.com/SJAMWinterTrail/status/1079026309425229825

Champlain Park

Behind the Baseball diamond net in the Champlain Park

Many thanks, these trees will be further recycled as mulch after the winter season.

Christmas Tree Habitat

Date: Thu, 31 Dec 2020 15:48:44 -0500
From: Daniel <dbuckles@sas2.net>

Wondering what to do with your Christmas tree? Instead of putting it out at the curb, “plant” it in your yard where it will become winter habitat for birds and other gentle creatures. In the spring move it to your compost pile, or recycle at that point. Keeps the good cheer close at hand too.

Woodland Projects Update

Time for an update on what volunteers from our community have been doing in the NCC Woodlands.

NCC Woodland Trail Maintenance – Buckthorn Root Removal
Purple Martin Birdhouse Project
Japanese Knotweed Invasive Species Removal Project
Pollinator Garden ready for Winter
Tree Saplings doing well

NCC Woodland Trail Maintenance – Buckthorn root removal

[Buckthorn Team in the Woods] — Left to right – Kris Phillips, Catherine Shearer and Adrian Bradley showing some of the Buckthorn roots removed from the pathway as part of ongoing trail maintenance in making the trails safer and more accessible.

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Tree Planting on Northwestern Avenue

Subject: FW: Tree Planting on Northwestern Ave
Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2020 16:28:11 -0400
From: DANIEL BUCKLES <dbuckles@sas2.net>

This fall, the Forest Management Branch of the City of Ottawa is planning to put three new red oaks on the median at Northwestern Ave, and replace one that has not done well. Exact locations noted in the attached map.

20201017 Tree Planting 20S-38 Northwestern Ave.pdf

Tree Action Priorities

Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2020 08:50:55 -0400
From: Daniel Buckles <dbuckles@sas2.net>

Trees, a tree canopy and access to Greenspace are a vital part of our neighborhood. While the City has made some progress in protecting and planting trees, we’re not where we need to be to ensure a healthy urban forest for Ottawa’s future.

Use this link to a blog on priority tree actions prepared by Daniel Buckles and Jennifer Humphries, with contributions from Heather Pearl, for the City-wide network “Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability” (CAFES). It offers Observations and examples relevant to our neighborhood and practical steps you can take to protect and plant trees, or influence policy in the city.
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Progress with Forest Revitalization & Need a Truck

Date: Sat, 03 Oct 2020 18:32:01 -0400
From: DANIEL BUCKLES <dbuckles@sas2.net>

Progress with forest revitalization

Work on three sites in the Champlain Woods (NCC forest) is near completion, with the last section at the Pontiac closure wrapping up soon. Here, some old chain fence buried in shrubs is being removed, along with buckthorn (a non-native invasive plant that dominates much of the forest) and suckers from dead ash trees (unfortunately, ash saplings succumb to the Emerald Ash Borer once they develop thicker bark; the Ash may well never come back in North America). The wood from these will be laid in the cleared space and mounded with earth to create an environment for a butterfly garden while leaving the space open towards the river view (let us know if you want to help with the garden next spring!).

Do you have a truck, and are you willing to haul away the old chain fence to the dump or recycling? Please call Catherine Shearer by email: metshag@gmail.com.

Daniel Buckles
Champlain Park Community Association Environment Committee

Watering the Planted Trees

From: DANIEL BUCKLES <dbuckles@sas2.net>
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2020 18:10:31 -0400

Calling on all dog walkers and nature walkers, willing to water a tree!

Some 18 neighbours planted 62 native trees this week, right here in Champlain Park, in celebration of Canada’s National Tree Day. The trees include Black Elderberry, Black Cherry, Eastern Redbud, White Cedar, Red Pine, Eastern White Pine, White Spruce, White (paper) Birch, and (of course) the heritage Burr Oak of Champlain Park.

The trees still need a helping hand, so if you are walking in the Champlain Woods (the NCC woods) today and for the next few weeks please take a few litres of water with you and water a few tree saplings (about a litre a tree per visit). You can’t miss them as they are planted on mounds and protected with wire cages at three sites: Trout Lily Lane (trail access point on Pontiac on the north side of the school yard), the north side of the newly closed section of Pontiac, and The Little Woods entrance (along the length of the west side of Patricia).

Working with the NCC’s permission and a small grant from the City, volunteers planned and implemented a novel method for planting trees in areas with very thin and rocky soils (the case throughout the woods). Thanks to volunteers: Linda Landreville, Kris and Véronique Phillips, Natalie and Kris Wright, Heather Pearl, Louise Atkins, Wallace Beaton, Rita Blattman, Jen, Helena and Eden Neate, Ken Stevenson, and Erin Topping, her daughter and a friend, supported by members of the Champlain Park Community Association Environment Committee (Daniel Buckles, Catherine Shearer, John Arnason and Adrian Bradley).

Planting Trees Event in the Neighbourhood – September 20

Celebrate National Tree Day by Planting Trees in our Neighbourhood

COVID-19 compliant process in place.

Volunteers needed to move soil and plant trees using an innovative technique called Hügelkultur (tree mounds). Join the community environment committee on Sunday, September 20 between 10 am and 5 pm (any shift of an hour is welcome). Bring your own work gloves, face mask, and shovel. Wheel barrows urgently needed too. Meet on Patricia Avenue at Clearview (work also taking place on Pontiac near the school).

Please confirm you can help by sending an email to Catherine Shearer <metshag@gmail.com>

Daniel Buckles

Ecology Ottawa Tree Fundraiser

Check out Ecology Ottawa’s Tree Fundraiser and help plant Ottawa’s future tree canopy! They are working with Ferguson Tree Nursery to offer you an amazing deal on 7 different native tree seedlings. By participating, you will not only be helping to green-up your community, but you will help support the important work of planting, protecting, and promoting trees in Ottawa.

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