Otonabee Conservation Launches 2023 Seedling Program Encouraging Landowners to Enhance Their Property With Trees

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Otonabee Conservation has launched its 2023 Seedling Program, encouraging landowners in the Otonabee Region Watershed to plant and grow trees to enhance their property and mitigate climate change announced on Wednesday.

MEREDITH CARTER, MANAGER OF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS AT OTONABEE CONSERVATION, HOLDS A BARE ROOT TREE THAT WAS ONE OF 4,500 TREES PLANTED AT A WATERSHED RESIDENT’S PROPERTY IN OTONABEE SOUTH MONAGHAN TOWNSHIP in the fall of 2020. PHOTO COURTESY of OTONABEE CONSERVATION

“Trees play an important role in maintaining a healthy and resilient natural environment; planting more trees will help provide habitat and mitigate the impacts of climate change,” said Meredith Carter, Otonabee Conservation Watershed Management Program manager.“Last year, 115 landowners in our watershed purchased and planted over 14,000 trees and shrubs through our Tree Seedling Sales Program. This will translate to approximately, 2.5 million kg of sequestered Carbon over the lifetime of these trees.”

The Conservation offers various coniferous and deciduous trees and wildlife shrubs including White Pine, Eastern White Cedar, Red Oak, Sugar Maple, Highbush Cranberry and Buttonbush, along with some unique species such as Tulip Tree, Bitternut Hickory, and Serviceberry. The minimum order is 25 seedlings of a selected species.

“Trees and forests also protect water quality in our rivers and streams,” said Carter, “They provide habitat for birds and other wildlife, and they add to the health of our communities by purifying the air and enhancing the environment that surrounds us.”

Pickups are scheduled for spring 2023 with an order deadline of March 20.

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City of Peterborough Addresses Environmental Remediation Update For Jackson Creek

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The City of Peterborough has provided an update to Environmental Remediation Update For Jackson Creek which was contaminated through Bethune Street construction work that occurred on Aug. 24.

File Photo.

The City has assured that they are actively working on short-term cleanup and longer-term remediation. 

The Ministry of the Environment identified a fuel spill in Jackson Creek in the area of Townsend and Aylmer streets. The City had placed environmental protection measures immediately after the spill to prevent it form getting into Little Lake with help from Working with the Ministry of the Environment (MECP) according to a press release. They retained an environmental consultant, Cambium, to investigate the source of the contamination as well as an environmental remediation specialist, GFL, to support immediate cleanup activities.

The City says the investigation, cleanup and implementation of remediation is ongoing .

The City’s environmental consultant has created a Remedial Action Plan including MECP comments, which has been reviewed, accepted and overseen by MECP as the regulating body. The plan introduces a Geophysical Survey which was completed and discovered an unidentified tank containing limited free products.

While the tank was promptly removed, the City believes there are other sources of contamination now surfacing in Jackson Creek, pending the installation of a reactive barrier that is a more promising long-term solution. The Permeable Reactive Barrier (PRB) installation is also scheduled to begin next week.

With the recent weather, conditions in Jackson Creek have deteriorated according to the City. They are communicating with the MECP which directed them to retain a environmental remediation specialist full-time until conditions improve - GFL has deployed all the resources it has available as well as City resources. The City anticipates the contractor will be able to remove the temporary dam in place to support the construction activities and GFL will also support the additional skimming of free product available during the temporary dam removal.

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Kawartha Land Trust to Receive $1.7 Million from Environment and Climate Change Canada

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Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) is set to receive $1.7 million over five years from Environment and Climate Change Canada's (ECCC) Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF), furthering its land protection efforts in the Kawarthas announced Monday.

Shoreline of Kawartha Land Trust’s new Otonabee River Property, secured with support from the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (Photo by Veronica Price-Jones/KLT)

As a direct result of the funding, KLT acquired 200 more acres of wetlands and forests in the Kawarthas through the securement of two new properties. They now protect over 5,070 acres of land in the Kawarthas, including 1,739 acres of wetlands.

The newly protected 200 plus additional acres of wetlands and forests includes 154 acres in Kawartha Lakes and 58 acres in Otonabee-South Monaghan township. Both properties include Provincially Significant Wetlands (PSW) and the Kawartha Lakes property is noted as an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI).

The goal of this project is to protect CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalents) conversion through the protection of natural habitat in the Kawarthas by inspiring landowner participation in protecting carbon on their lands through a mix of land protection options and the outright purchase/protection of land with high carbon storage value vital habitat for plant and animal species, including a number of at risk species.

“We are so lucky in the Kawarthas to live where people have been caring for the land for generations, leaving a lasting natural legacy for today,” says John Kintare, executive director of Kawartha Land Trust. “The funding from ECCC’s Nature Smart Climate Solution Fund will allow Kawartha Land Trust to reach out to key landowners across our landscape to help them understand the part their land plays in our local ecosystem. We will work with all who are willing to secure important carbon stores and enhance land management so that our local lands can have a global impact.”

ECCC announced the details of the investment over five years to support KLT’s ‘Sequestering Kawarthas’ Carbon Through Partners in Conservation’ project through the ECCC’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund.

The NSCSF is a $631 million, ten-year fund to support projects that restore and enhance wetlands, peatlands and grasslands that store and capture carbon through nature-based solutions.

“Canada matters in the global fight to conserve and protect biodiversity. We are home to twenty four percent of the world’s wetlands, twenty five percent of temperate rainforest areas and twenty eight percent of remaining boreal forests,” says The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, minister of environment and climate change. “These ecosystems are globally significant as they absorb carbon, mitigate against the impacts of climate change, and protect biodiversity.”

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Trent University Climate Change and Northern Ecosystems Scholar Appointed Canada Research Chair

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Dr. Andrew Tanentzap has been appointed as Tier II Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Climate Change and Northern Ecosystems with the Trent School of Environment (TSE) announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

Prof. Tanentzap comes from the University of Cambridge. He is one of ten Canada Research Chairs, and among seven CRCs with an environmental focus to their research.

From the cycling of carbon and nitrogen to water quality to wildlife health, he brings his expertise and research-focused foundational knowledge about the benefits of nature and how climate change impacts those benefits. His work looks at the human impact on microorganisms and carbon across all levels of life, from genes to landscapes.

“One of the things that brought me to Trent was the impressive resources at the Water Quality Centre. The Canada Research Chair position will give me the opportunity to leverage the equipment and expertise at the Water Quality Centre to advance my research projects and help train the next generation of environmental leaders,” said Prof. Tanentzap. “A highlight will be establishing the Trent Organic Matter Research Opportunity (T-OMRO) Fellowship, a global competition to host visitors at the Water Quality Centre from groups that have been typically underrepresented in our research field.”

Trent School of Environment professor Dr. Ian Power was also recognized, being awarded a second term as CRC in Environmental Geoscience.

In Prof. Power’s environmental geochemistry lab at Trent, undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students can work with state-of-the-art instrumentation to investigate Earth materials and perform carbon dioxide removal experiments.

He collaborates closely with mining companies to develop and implement geochemical CO2 removal technologies and further advances his research.

“We hear a lot about needing to reach carbon neutrality, which we do, but my work is focused on taking us beyond that,” said Prof. Power. “We need to become carbon negative, and minerals have sequestration properties that can remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.”

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Felicia Massey


Peterborough and District Wapiti Metis Council and Otonabee Conservation Plant Trees to Rehabilitate Gravel Pit in Ennismore

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Volunteers from the Metis Nation of Ontario (Peterborough & District Wapiti Metis Council) planted 450 native trees with Otonabee Conservation at a gravel pit in the Township of Selwyn on Sunday.

A variety of native species were planted, including Eastern White Cedar, White Spruce, Tamarack and White Pine. These trees will enhance habitat and increase biodiversity as part of ongoing rehabilitation of a site currently used for aggregate extraction. 

“This is a really great opportunity for Metis citizens and families to collaborate with Otonabee Region Conservation Authority and the community” said Christa Lemelin, president of the Peterborough and District Wapiti Metis Council. “Many of our citizens live in urban areas outside of their traditional territories, so this is an opportunity for them to connect with the land, to give thanks for the important resources that this property once provided to this area, and to get their hands dirty to help rehabilitate the property for future generations.”

Students from Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) and Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Board (PVNCCDSB) planted 750 trees at the same site last week, bringing the total of trees planted at the gravel pit site to 4,556.

The tree plantings were funded by Tree Canada and One Tree Planted, in partnership with Otonabee Conservation and the Township of Selwyn.

“We are pleased to work together on efforts to rehabilitate and naturalize this site while also collectively contributing to climate change mitigation efforts in our watershed,” said Janette Loveys Smith, CAO/secretary-treasurer at Otonabee Conservation.

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Trees and Shrubbery Planted at New Peterborough Humane Society Animal Care Centre

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Siemens Canada, Tree Canada and Otonabee Conservation enhanced habitat at the new Peterborough Humane Society Animal Care Centre grounds with the planting of over 160 native trees and shrubbery on Thursday.

File photo.

Siemens Canada employees in Peterborough planted the native trees and shrubs in partnership with Tree Canada and Otonabee Conservation at the new Peterborough Humane Society Animal Care Centre.

A variety of native species of trees and shrubs including White Spruce, Ninebark, Serviceberry, Red Osier Dogwood, White Pine and Pussy Willow will increase species diversity and enhance habitat for local wildlife in the area adjacent to the off-leash dog park and outdoor animal runs.

“The protection of our urban forests is as crucial as ever, and it is through partnerships such as these that we can positively influence the health of urban trees and the health of the communities that rely on them,” said Nicole Hurtubise, Tree Canada CEO. “Through the support of Siemens Canada and Otonabee Conservation, together we can grow better places to live for Canadians one tree at a time.”

For over a decade, Siemens Canada, Tree Canada and Otonabee Conservation have collaborated to enhance the habitat around the watershed community in the City of Peterborough.

Tree Canada is the only national non-profit organization dedicated to planting and nurturing trees in rural and urban environments, in every province across the country. To date, with their community partners and sponsors, they have planted more than 84 million trees.

“Since 2010 Siemens employees have planted thousands of trees in the Peterborough area, and overall more than 16,000 trees across Canada,” said Ian Almond from Siemens Canada. “Helping to beautify the community we live and work in and contributing to a more sustainable future is an honour and we’re grateful to our partners who help make it happen.”

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Random Acts of Green's HallowGreen Challenge Encourages Green Initiatives this Halloween

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Random Acts of Green’s HallowGreen Challenge encourages everyone to scare away eco-anxiety by creating a more enviromentally-friendly Halloween.

Photo courtesy of Random Acts of Green.

Random Acts of Green’s seventh annual HallowGreen Challenge encourages people of their day-to-day actions’s impact on the planet, move beyond “just recycling” by exploring new ways to be green.

Both local and global green organizations come together to promote and participate in the online challenge to build awareness. Random Acts of Green says this keeps everyone engaged in climate action like composting, air drying clothing or refusing single-use plastics.

Citizens, school boards, classrooms, offices and businesses are encouraged to take part in the HallowGreen Challenge and build awareness about climate action and the planet while participating in spooky season and Halloween festivities.

Waste statistics surrounding Halloween traditions suggest hundreds of thousands of pounds of pumpkin rot in landfills every year and a single trick-or-treater generates about one pound of trash from candy wrappers alone according to a press release.

“Our 7th annual challenge continues to inspire folks to rethink how we celebrate holidays like Halloween in a way that does not create added waste for the environment,” says Alannah Hardcastle, Random Acts of Green social impact manager.

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Fall Reservoir Drawdown To Occur on Oct. 24; Indian River Shoreline Residents to Expect Change In Water Levels

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Otonabee Conservation is adjusting water levels along the Indian River on or after Oct. 24 by manually removing stop-logs announced on Thursday.

Otonabee Conservation employees, Bruce Flemons and Gordon Earle conduct fall dam operations by removing stop logs at Lang Dam in fall 2021. Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

The stop-logs are being removed at the following structures:

  • Hope Mill Dam

  • Lang Mill Dam

  • Warsaw Auxiliary Dam

During operations, shoreline residents can expect water levels to decrease above the dams; water levels and flows will increase below the dams. Water levels and flows will stabilize in the days following operations. In total, water levels will decrease by six to 12 inches in the reservoirs.

Property owners upstream and downstream from the Hope, Lang, and Warsaw Dams should ensure that all boats, floating docks, etc. are removed from the water before this reservoir drawdown begins.

The Hope, Lang, and Warsaw reservoirs will not be restored to their current water levels until after the Spring freshet which usually occurs before the May 24 holiday long-weekend.

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Peterborough Municipal Election Signs Approved For Recycling

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Municipal election signs have been deemed safe to recycle announced by the City of Peterborough on Tuesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The signs are made of white corrugated plastic sheeting — commonly called Coroplast — and have been added to the list of recyclable materials. City of Peterborough’s recycling services provider, Emterra, found a company that will accept the material for reuse according to a press release.

Coroplast election signs can be dropped off at the Material Recycling Facility at 390 Pido Rd. in one of the designated bins that are marked for election signs. Only the Coroplast part of the sign is accepted as any metal or wood post with it must be removed. The signs will not be accepted through curbside collection for recycling.

Candidates typically collect their election signs following elections.

Most election signs are made from Coroplast. The interior is a white corrugated plastic material which can be seen on the edges of the sign. Signs that have black interiors or edges are not made of Coroplast and are not recyclable.

Signs are to be recycled by no later than Nov. 30.

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Local Students Install Rain Garden and Shrubbery at New Beavermead Campground Gatehouse

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Otonabee Conservation and Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board students from the Youth Leadership in Sustainability (YLS) program installed a rain garden at Beavermead Campground on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

The garden was designed to capture runoff from the roof of the gatehouse, temporarily storing it in the garden during a storm event and slowly draining it away to reduce flooding, filter pollutants and channel runoff into the ground.

“This project will create a welcoming entrance to Beavermead Campground and highlight best practices for habitat enhancement and water conservation,” said Janette Loveys Smith, Otonabee Conservation CAO and secretary-treasurer.

Over 100 native trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers planted are to enhance habitat and increase biodiversity in the City of Peterborough according to a press release.

Purple coneflower, big bluestem, red osier dogwood and black-eyed Susan were chosen for this site to provide a habitat for pollinators. These plants are drought-tolerant and will require minimal maintenance and watering.

YLS students breaking ground to plant over 100 trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers. Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

“In the face of the climate and biodiversity crisis, it’s so important that students have opportunities for hands-on activities like this where they are engaged in constructive, restorative, solutions-based work,” said Cam Douglas, teacher and YLS program coordinator.

The community is encouraged to visit the park and campground to see the native plant species and learn about the benefits of water conservation. 

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