Community Environment & Climate Calendar

Registration for this event ends on May 2, 2023 at 12:00 noon.

Whether you have an acreage, suburban lot or tiny city yard, this talk will give you a solid foundation for your garden design.

Agnieszka and Claire will make the process less intimidating and more fun by helping you visualize what works, what doesn’t and why. They will cover both aesthetic and ecological design basics to include how to combine plants, design for different seasons and sites, and incorporating native plants.

More info here.

Spring is in the air and Ottawa’s natural areas and other greenspaces are beckoning. Once the trails have thawed and dried out, residents are encouraged to get outdoors! Be on the lookout for spring wildflowers, migrating birds, and biting flies and ticks. While it is a common joke that Canada has two seasons, winter and "bug season," black-legged ticks may be active at any time of year, depending on the temperature. The City and Ottawa Public Health want to ensure that residents know how to protect themselves from ticks, which can carry illnesses such as Lyme disease. We invite you to join us for a presentation by local experts from the University of Ottawa and Ottawa Public Health, to learn more about ticks, Lyme disease prevention, and ongoing research in our area.

Find out more

Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMlcOmprjkvG9UmCbDrpGW-1RaFI4_aIRet?_x_zm_rtaid=o2065_pRRn-cDmFAiuv0zA.1681322698416.897dfd351dbf48978377200233ea809a&_x_zm_rhtaid=0#/registration

The City will hold a technical briefing about the new recommended Curbside Waste Diversion Policy on Thursday, May 4. Residents and media are welcome to attend this public meeting.

City staff will provide information to Council members about proposed changes to Ottawa’s curbside garbage collection to reduce waste going to landfill, increase participation in recycling and green bin programs, and encourage more sustainable waste habits.

Date: Thursday, May 4
Time: 1 pm
Location: Colonel By Room, Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West

The new recommended policy will be brought to the Environment and Climate Change Committee for consideration on June 5, and to City Council on June 14.

This policy supports the ongoing development of the Solid Waste Master Plan, which will guide how we manage waste over the next 30 years in a socially, environmentally, and economically responsible manner. Visit ottawa.ca/wasteplan to get regular updates, register for workshops, and join the conversation.

Media will be able to ask questions to staff after the technical briefing ends and Councillors have finished asking staff their questions. Registration is required for media: please contact medias@ottawa.ca by Wednesday, May 3 to confirm attendance.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

https://www.gctc.ca/shows/12

“What happens when you’re told there’s only 12 years left and it’s the 11th hour?”
Creator and Director: Kristina Watt Villegas
Performers and Co-Creators: the 100 Watt Youth Ensemble

12: an urgent love story between generations – and towards the planet we share.

With a blend of hope, outrage and humor, 12 gives voice to youth with regards to the climate crisis and a future that they’ve inherited. The play is built from conversations with 11 teens, interviews they had with citizens of Ottawa, transcripts from the international COP meetings (Council of the Parties), words of environmental leaders such as Greta Thunberg, Xuihtezcatl Martinez and Howey Ou, and the Australian high school students who were told by their PM to be “less activist”.
Show Times

Thursday May 4:
7:00 PM

Friday May 5:
12:00 PM (with ASL interpretation)
7:00 PM

Saturday May 6:
2:00 PM (with ASL interpretation)
7:00 PM

“A hard and honest look at the climate crisis through the eyes of teenagers.” - CBC Radio
BOX OFFICE

(613) 236-5196
300-1227 Wellington St. W.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

https://www.gctc.ca/shows/12

“What happens when you’re told there’s only 12 years left and it’s the 11th hour?”
Creator and Director: Kristina Watt Villegas
Performers and Co-Creators: the 100 Watt Youth Ensemble

12: an urgent love story between generations – and towards the planet we share.

With a blend of hope, outrage and humor, 12 gives voice to youth with regards to the climate crisis and a future that they’ve inherited. The play is built from conversations with 11 teens, interviews they had with citizens of Ottawa, transcripts from the international COP meetings (Council of the Parties), words of environmental leaders such as Greta Thunberg, Xuihtezcatl Martinez and Howey Ou, and the Australian high school students who were told by their PM to be “less activist”.
Show Times

Thursday May 4:
7:00 PM

Friday May 5:
12:00 PM (with ASL interpretation)
7:00 PM

Saturday May 6:
2:00 PM (with ASL interpretation)
7:00 PM

“A hard and honest look at the climate crisis through the eyes of teenagers.” - CBC Radio
BOX OFFICE

(613) 236-5196
300-1227 Wellington St. W.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

https://www.gctc.ca/shows/12

“What happens when you’re told there’s only 12 years left and it’s the 11th hour?”
Creator and Director: Kristina Watt Villegas
Performers and Co-Creators: the 100 Watt Youth Ensemble

12: an urgent love story between generations – and towards the planet we share.

With a blend of hope, outrage and humor, 12 gives voice to youth with regards to the climate crisis and a future that they’ve inherited. The play is built from conversations with 11 teens, interviews they had with citizens of Ottawa, transcripts from the international COP meetings (Council of the Parties), words of environmental leaders such as Greta Thunberg, Xuihtezcatl Martinez and Howey Ou, and the Australian high school students who were told by their PM to be “less activist”.
Show Times

Thursday May 4:
7:00 PM

Friday May 5:
12:00 PM (with ASL interpretation)
7:00 PM

Saturday May 6:
2:00 PM (with ASL interpretation)
7:00 PM

“A hard and honest look at the climate crisis through the eyes of teenagers.” - CBC Radio
BOX OFFICE

(613) 236-5196
300-1227 Wellington St. W.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Please note that drop-off event dates are subject to change. For the most up-to-date schedule, and to see the list of acceptable items, please visit Ottawa.ca/HHW.

GACA (Greater Avalon Community Association) tree planting event will be held on May 6^th at the Lalande Conservation Park 2145 Nantes Street in Orléans at 9:00 am.

For more information, contact Rachelle Lecours at president@gaca-acga.com.

https://carleton.ca/climatecommons/2023/call-for-volunteers-tree-planting-along-bronson-ave-may-6/

Looking for student volunteers to participate. The city will be providing 240 trees to plant alongside instructions and equipment. The project is happening along Bronson Avenue, across from Carleton.

Book mark for our next Synapcity Sessions featuring the important topic of Tree Canopy. Co-presented with CAFES and hosted by Just Food Farm. 

RSVP here 

Ottawa’s Tree Canopy is under extreme threat. Recent storms have devastated trees across our region. Clear cutting is still happening across the city with the recent Tewin disaster a clear example. The City of Ottawa has pledged a goal of 40% tree cover but according to the city’s data, Hintonburg, for example, has a tree canopy of just 19 per cent and Alta Vista 28 per cent. Mechanicsville and Vanier are even worse off. On top of the trees lost to the recent storms, Ottawa has been facing an infestation of emerald ash borer — an invasive beetle that has killed millions of ash trees in Canada.

During this Synapcity Sessions event on Thursday May 11th starting at 530pm we will hear from organizations who are fighting to protect and ultimately grow Ottawa’s tree canopy.

CAFES Ottawa has been running a Neighbourhood Tree Canopy Regeneration Project which aims to build the capacity of community associations in Ottawa to engage with their residents and to contribute to regenerating the urban tree canopy in their own community. In 2021-22 they worked with eight community associations on this initiative. Along with the participating community associations, they utilized and promoted the existing City of Ottawa tree planting programs (e.g. Trees in Trust) for public spaces. CAFES Executive Director, Angela Keller Herzog will present on the initiative and some other important work that CAFES is doing to protect Ottawa’s Tree Canopy.

Based in Ottawa, Ontario, Forêt Capitale Forest is a local non-profit organization whose mission aims to mitigate the effects of climate change by facilitating the planting of forests and raising awareness of the importance of trees and biodiversity. They engage the local community to plant trees, link ecosystems, and steward resilient urban forests by enabling communities to become urban forest stewards through private and public landowner collaboration. Forêt Capitale Forest has many projects related to urban afforestation including community tree planting events, demonstration plots that aim to inspire community members to convert small private parcels of land to productive and biodiverse ecosystems, and the development of a community tree hub aimed at building capacity for future afforestation projects. Stephanie McNelley and Shelley Lambert, Directors at Forêt Capitale Forest will present on some of the crucial work their organization is doing.

The Greenspace Alliance of Canada's Capital works with community organizations and individuals to preserve and enhance natural areas in the National Capital area, including public and private green spaces, wetlands and waterways. Concerned residents formed the Alliance in October 1997. An important part of their work involves engaging with all levels of government and other stakeholders. They believe that urban greenness is essential for a community’s quality of life, contributing to our personal, social, economic, cultural and spiritual well-being. It also connects us with the natural and cultural history of our region. Paul Johanis will be on hand to detail some of the work they are doing.

Founded in 2015, Tree Fest Ottawa connects people with trees, inspires dialogue and learning, and transforms how we see, engage with, and act in the world around us. They use the power of photographs, stories and experiences to capture public attention and encourage people to take action to protect the trees in our environment – and plant native trees. Tree Fest Ottawa inspires people to protect and preserve the city's trees and get involved with tree planting and other initiatives to expand our urban forest, connect with our neighbours and build a more livable city. Sharon Boddy from Treefest Ottawa will talk about the work they are doing in the community.

Deep Roots Food Hub End of Season Sale!
Saturday, 14 May 9:00 - 12:00 at the Deep Roots Food Hub Root Cellar 
230 Davidson Side Road Kanata.
https://www.deeprootsfoodhub.ca/news

*Buy sustainable root veggies
*Meet the growers
*Learn about sustainable agriculture

Saturday, 13 May from 9am to 11am in Carp.

Friends of the Carp River need volunteers to plant 150 native trees and shrubs along the Carp River to improve biodiversity and increase the riparian buffer. Suitable for ages 12 and above.  Join us to help the Ribbon of Life. For more information, see: https://friendsofthecarpriver.com/?p=2391

Pick up your seedlings (including exchange table with Forêt Capitale Forest,
and vegetable seedlings grown with untreated, non-GMO seeds).

SeedLing Saturday at Just Food Community Farm (10am-1:30pm)
https://justfood.ca/2023/05/02/seedling-saturday/

A free, family oriented nature-themed festival that celebrates music and art and raises awareness about the urgency of protecting forests and the environment.

More information: drmonicabrewer@gmail.com

Friends of the Experimental Farm
RAIN OR SHINE
Parking lot beside KW Neatby Bldg

• Everything you need for your garden at our popular annual plant sale, with many of the region’s top specialty growers and nursery vendors assembled in one location!
• Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton will be on hand with free advice for all your gardening questions.
• Our popular plant sale plant check service is under the canopy, so you can keep your hands free while shopping. Our volunteers will help carry your treasures to your vehicle.
• Refreshment tables
• New and used gardening books for sale.
• Admission is free for the public, with donations to FCEF gratefully accepted.

INFO: Call (613) 230-3276 or e-mail info@friendsofthefarm.ca

Registration for this event ends on May 16, 2023 at 12:00 noon.

Josie and Adair will build on the previous lectures to help you choose which trees, shrubs and perennials to plant and where.  They will explain why “keystone” native plants are the most  important for supporting pollinator insects, caterpillars, birds and  other wildlife. The choices you make will not only help nature to  heal and thrive but will also add beauty to your garden throughout  the year.

More info here.

OC Transpo has organized open house sessions in the coming weeks where you can share comments and provide input about Ottawa’s future bus network.

Wednesday, May 17
Ray Friel Recreation Complex, 1585 10th Line Rd
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Tuesday, May 23
Virtual, Zoom Link
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Wednesday, May 24
Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Avenue
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Thursday, June 1
City Hall, Champlain Room, 110 Laurier Avenue West
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Accessible formats and communication supports are available, upon request. If you cannot attend the sessions listed, there are alternative ways to share your views:

• Complete the OC Transpo bus route review survey
• Email routereview@ottawa.ca

These public consultation sessions will give residents an opportunity to provide feedback as part of the bus route review that will help inform the future of OC Transpo’s bus system.

Representatives from OC Transpo will provide a short presentation and will seek the community’s feedback. For more information about the bus route review, please visit octranspo.com/routereview. You can also connect with OC Transpo through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

As you may have seen on social media and in the Citizen, a Critical Mass Ride is happening on Saturday, May 20^th at 10am starting at the War Museum. The bike ride is a self-organizing, community event to show support for safe active transportation, in reaction to the inadequate bike lanes on Wellington Street.

Active transportation is an important climate strategy and something we in Ottawa have the ability to advance very quickly to cut transportation emissions. However, we need access to safe and comfortable infrastructure. 

Please help spread the word and join if you can. 

https://act.leadnow.ca/AllInForEmCap/ottawa-centre/

Join the May 25th day of action to go all-in for a Bold Emissions Cap that delivers the climate action we need.

It’s time to hold Big Oil accountable for their own pollution. And with just weeks until the Emissions Cap policy is released, we're launching a massive wave of actions across the country to call on key Liberal MPs to up their climate ambition.

Join the May 25th day of action to go all-in for a Bold Emissions Cap that delivers the climate action we need.

It’s time to hold Big Oil accountable for their own pollution. And with just weeks until the Emissions Cap policy is released, we're launching a massive wave of actions across the country to call on key Liberal MPs to up their climate ambition. Meet at the Constituency Office of Jenna Sudds, M.P.

Plastic Beach is made up of a collection of images of plastic waste collected from the shores of each of the Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair, and selected locations along the St. Lawrence River.
John Healey is a local photographer with an upcoming exhibition at the City Hall Art Gallery from May 25 through to August 27. Opening night, May 25th, is from 5:30-7:30pm at the City Hall art gallery. Access is limited to Laurier Entrance.
https://ottawa.ca/en/arts-heritage-and-events/art-centres-galleries-and-exhibition-spaces/galleries-and-exhibition-spaces/city-hall-art-gallery/2023-exhibitions#section-d16e309b-c530-4855-ac8b-5509c280c619

The GACA Rain Garden project will be held May 26 - 27^th at Aquaview Park 318 Aquaview Drive. Time to be determined.
For more information contact Rachelle Lecours: president@gaca-acga.com

The GACA Rain Garden project will be held May 26 - 27^th at Aquaview Park 318 Aquaview Drive. Time to be determined.
For more information contact Rachelle Lecours: president@gaca-acga.com

CAFES will be hosting their 2nd Annual Pollinator Plant Sale this year from 8am til 1pm at 166 Glebe Avenue, during the Great Glebe Garage sale!

More info to come soon! Stay tuned for the weblink to pre-order your plants!

Come to the Great Glebe Garage Sale to receive a free seedling!

We're planning to have 8-10 species of trees—a combination of conifers and deciduous species, all native. We'll also give you help selecting a species that's right for you, as well as information on how to plant it and care for it. If you don't have a place to plant a tree, we'll also have other ways to support the strengthening of Ottawa's tree canopy and the supporting of biodiversity in the city.

We're planning on enabling pre-ordering, so please stay tuned for that and other details.

We hope to see you there!