RBC Donates $20,000 to Jumpstart Local Net Zero Farms Pilot Project

RBC has donated $20,000 to Net Zero Farms for a new pilot project that will assist farmers in incorporating sustainable practices into their operations at Woodleigh Farms on Thursday afternoon.

Representatives from RBC cut the ribbon to represent the launch of the Net Zero Farms Pilot Project alongside non-profits GreenUP and Farms at Work. Pictured from left to right:  RBC Community Manager Karalee Murray, Green Economy Peterborough Net Zero Farms Program Coordinator Natasha Sheward, GreenUP Director of Programs Natalie Stephenson, GreenUP Executive Director Tegan Moss, Green Economy Peterborough Hub Coordinator Jackie Donaldson, RBC Relationship Manager for Business Markets Deanna Baker, Farms at Work Executive Director Heather Ray, RBC Relationship Manager for Agriculture & Agri-Business Specialist Scott McCaig. Photo courtesy of GreenUp.

The program coaches business leaders in the agriculture sector to measure their greenhouse gas emissions, set reduction targets, further understand their role in sequestering carbon and develop a plan for reducing their impact on the environment, all while sharing experiences and the greater community according to a press release.
 
“We know farmers like to learn from farmers. We’re thrilled to be developing this networking piece to help support their sustainable practices, and to develop a culture where farmers don’t feel alone in their efforts to become more environmentally friendly,” says Heather Ray, Farms at Work executive director. “Farm-to-farm engagement and mentoring is essential for an agricultural business looking to adapt to a changing climate.”
 
The Net Zero Farms pilot seeks to support up to 10 farms in their efforts to take climate action while building local capacity within the greater agricultural community, as stated by GreenUp.
  
“Measuring greenhouse gas sources in agriculture is different from measuring the emissions of a downtown retail store,” says Natasha Sheward, Net Zero Farms program coordinator. “We want to include all of the relevant aspects of this sector within our GHG measurement in order to ensure relevance and accuracy. This will provide insight and opportunity for our farmers to identify actions that will reduce their costs and increase their resilience.”

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City’s Urban Forest Grows With 'Trees 4 Peterborough' Event

The City of Peterborough got a little greener with their ‘Trees 4 Peterborough’ event by planting 520 trees at Bears Creek Woods Park on Saturday.

Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

Event sponsors RBC, the Excelsior Group, Peterborough Homes and Merritt Home Hardware; support from GreenUp and volunteers from the Rotary Club of Peterborough took part in the event.

500 potted trees and 20 larger calliper trees were planted with help from community volunteers, members of the Rotary Club of Peterborough and students from the Trent University Community Research Centre.

The investment in the City’s urban forest canopy was the result of sponsorship by RBC Dominion Securities of $10,000 and donations from The Excelsior Group of $5,000, and from Peterborough Homes of $2,500 and Merritt Home Hardware, who lent a drill for the planting.

“Trees 4 Peterborough has evolved into a wonderful community project and we sincerely thank our partners,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell. “These 520 new trees, in addition to the City’s yearly complement, are most welcome.”

Urban trees provide many benefits, including reducing flooding, improving air quality, reducing heat build-up in the City, positive impacts on mental and physical health and mitigating climate change according to the City. One tree with a diameter of 15 centimetres can absorb 22 kilograms of carbon dioxide and intercept almost 2,000 litres of yearly rainfall. 

“A variety of maples, oaks, spruce and other trees native to our zone have been planted for an authentic look and resilience,” said Parnell. “Special thanks to our urban forestry team at the City of Peterborough for their tireless efforts.”

RBC Dominion Securities started the initiative with a five-year, $50,000 commitment through the RBC Foundation.

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National Tree Day Sees Otonabee Conservation Plant 125 Trees and Shrubs at Peterborough Humane Society

There were 25 community volunteers and staff from Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) and Otonabee Conservation who planted 125 native trees and shrubs at the Peterborough Humane Society Animal Care Centre to celebrate National Tree Day on Wednesday.

Twenty-five volunteers planted native trees and shrubs at the Peterborough Humane society on National Tree Day. Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

Red osier dogwood, ninebark, honey locust, and freeman maple were planted to increase biodiversity and habitat at the site, provide shade and their humans and create a visual and auditory barrier between the road and the outdoor areas used for animal rehabilitation and recreation according to a press release.

“This project is one of the final components for the overall construction phase of the new state-of-the-art Animal Care Centre,” said Shawn Morey, PHS executive director. “Our ongoing partnership with Otonabee Conservation has lead to a total of 925 plants in the ground at our new facility to benefit wildlife and naturalize the property while enhancing our outdoor facilities with shade and natural beauty.”

“Community engagement and support is key to the success of stewardship projects like this,” explained Janette Loveys Smith, Otonabee Conservation CAO. “We are committed to planting trees across the watershed which also helps us locally adapt to climate change. When the community and our corporate partners collaborate to plant trees, we all benefit.”

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Monaghan Ward Councillors To Host Green Bin Information Session

Monaghan Ward Councillors Matt Crowley and Don Vassiliadis are hosting an information session on the new Green Bin household organic waste collection service at the Mapleridge Recreation Centre from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 27.

File Photo.

Details will be presented on the waste collection service changes that begin the week of Halloween including the new weekly Green Bin service, bi-weekly garbage collection and the requirement to use clear bags for curbside garbage collection. Recycling collection will remain on a weekly schedule according to the City.

Citizens can ask questions to City staff and discuss the service changes.

The new Green Bin service will reduce the amount of garbage going to the landfill which extends the life of the landfill and reduces greenhouse gas emissions as stated in a press release.

Roughly 8,000 households are having their waste collection day shift with the re-balancing of collection routes to improve service reliability and safety for sanitation workers to do the curbside collection. Residents can check their collection day using the online tool.

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Lake Edge Cottages Future-Proofs Property With 110 Solar Panels In Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Mother Nature and Lake Edge Cottages are celebrating as the latter has installed 110 solar panels to future-proof its property in a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Wednesday morning.

(from left to right) Jacob Wildfong, Steve Wildfong, Paulette Prentice, Director General and Anne Wildfong. The Wildfongs own the 12.5-acre property just north of Lakefield. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The panels cover multiple buildings of the resort including a garage and several cottages. They cost roughly $145,000-$150,000 to build but owners of the Wildfong family were awarded $85,000 from the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

The Lakefield resort can run on a hybrid power source with solar and hydro moving forward that will save the property on energy costs according to co-owner Jacob Wildfong.

“When the sun goes down, we draw from the hydro grid,” said Wildfong. “During the day, we'll produce more than double what we need on the resort.”

Jacob (right) tours the property, displaying several amenities the cottages have to offer such as pet-friendly facilities, pool and boat launch dock. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Wildfong continues to say that it would be a dream for him if other companies could start to follow suit in creating a more ‘green’ business.

“We're not just protecting the past but we're giving hope to people in the future,” he explained. “For us, we're not saying it's inexpensive to do it but think about the money that people spend on renovating a kitchen. You have to look at this as a renovation. You have to look beyond yourself and you have to think beyond the cost. There is a payback to it.”

To continue the green movement in the resort, Wildfong is promoting the new use of their electric vehicle charging station.

“We're encouraging guests that have vehicles to come and charge up here if they're overnight guests. There's no fee, we're using it as complementary and encouraging people to bring their green vehicles so they can fill up.”

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City of Peterborough Shifting Waste Collection Days For 8,200 Households Starting On Oct. 31

The City of Peterborough is shifting waste collection days for roughly 8,200 households to improve worker safety by balancing collection routes within a growing community beginning on Oct. 31.

File photo.

The City is handing out notices to households and affected businesses that receive municipal curbside collection and could see their weekly waste collection day change on Oct. 31. Delivery of the notices started Thursday and is continuing for the next few weeks.

Residents can view the new Waste Collection Zone map to see if their day has changed.

Over decades of residential development, where some areas of the City have seen significant growth, and other areas have had limited growth, the routes for waste collection days have become unbalanced.

Routes for waste collection have become unbalanced due to varied growth in several parts of the City according to a press release. It is a concern for worker safety as well as the reliability of service delivery.

Oct. 31 the same day when the City introduces the new Green Bin service for household organic waste collection and requires clear bags for curbside garbage collection. Garbage collection will be every other week as a result. Recycling collection remains a weekly service by private contractor Emterra Environmental.

The weekly Green Bin service to collect household organic waste will remove a substantial amount of household waste from the residential garbage stream, up to 20 per cent, including most heavy and stinky bits of household waste as stated by the City.

Green Bins will be delivered beginning in September to eligible residential properties including residential properties with six units or less and specific condominiums selected as part of a pilot for Phase 1 of the Green Bin service rollout.

Residents are encouraged to look inside their Green Bin when it is delivered to find program materials, including:

• The 2023-2024 waste management calendar and guide with collection schedules and important waste management service information;

• A what’s-in-what’s-out list of items that shows what can and what cannot be put into the Green Bin for collection;

• Samples of GLAD Compostable bags/container liners (small size) that can be used in the Kitchen Catcher sized Green Bins. 

• An info sheet on the new requirement to use clear bags for curbside garbage collection along with a free clear garbage bag sample and $2 rebate coupon provided by GLAD; and

• Details on how to recycle batteries with a collection cube provided by Call2Recycle.

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Dave Ellis: June Photography Recap

Dave Ellis is an Omemee-area wildlife photographer. PTBOCanada often features his work in our Good Morning PTBO posts, where a single shot captures a moment of time in nature.

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Kawartha Land Trust Launches Inaugural Passport to Nature; A Guide to a Year-Long Series of Events in Nature

Just in time for the peak of summer, Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) is officially launching its inaugural Passport to Nature (P2N) program — a year-long series of free, guided adventures in nature.

photo courtesy of kawartha land trust.

Throughout July and August, residents and visitors to the Kawarthas can attend a wide range of free KLT Passport to Nature events, including a tallgrass seedling planting, new-to-nature trail walk, roll or stroll, outdoor puppet show and a tour of the Alderville Black Oak Savanna.

As part of the planning for KLT’s inaugural Passport to Nature, KLT brought together a group of passionate and talented volunteers to form the People and Nature Working Group to help plan the project and bring it to life.

“Kawartha Land Trust’s Passport to Nature is a great way for people to get outside, explore, and connect with the nature all around us,” says John Kintare, KLT’s Executive Director. “We’ve heard from public health experts that being outside, even for an hour, provides physical and mental health benefits.”

Some KLT fall events include tree planting, forest bathing, an opportunity to gaze upon the wonders of the night sky and more.

“I got involved in this project because it’s a simple idea that I couldn’t resist — create a way for people to explore and enjoy nature — with their own passport to nature,” said Susan Scott, a KLT volunteer and Co-Chair of the People and Nature Working Group. “Some of the events we’ve included in KLT’s Passport to Nature are popular activities that Kawartha Land Trust has held in the past. But now, we hope to attract a wider audience to these popular outings, and help people learn more about KLT, its protected lands, and the vital work the organization does in preserving land for all of us.”

Kawartha Land Trust’s Passport to Nature print booklets will be available widely throughout the Kawarthas this summer at information and tourism centres and other locations. A PDF of the booklet can also be viewed and downloaded from our website. KLT is grateful for Cambium Inc.’s sponsorship of our 2023-2024 Passport to Nature.

“I encourage everyone to experience their own nature adventures this year,” concludes Scott. “We look forward to seeing you outside.”

To find out more about KLT’s Passport to Nature and upcoming events, visit the website.

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‘Canada is Burning’; Community Climate Activists Recognize National Day of Action

Community activists gathered outside the office of MP Michelle Ferreri on Wednesday to sign an open letter requesting rapid government action to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, and to draw attention to the forest fires caused by climate change.

All photos by Felicia Massey.

The campaign, originated by 350.org, outlines that the campaign has communities across Canada rising up to demand an immediate end to fossil fuel subsidies and a just transition to 100 per cent renewable energy.

This National Day of Action was announced for June 28 in light of recent wildfires in hopes to “bring the heat to our federal leaders.”

The group lobbied outside MP Ferreri’s office (417 Bethune St.) with signs about the climate crisis as they gathered signatures.

“Canada is burning and it’s time for our g government to put it out,” the group’s message reads. “That means tackling the climate crisis by ending fossil fuel subsidies and implementing an urgent and ambitious Just Transition that leaves no one behind.”

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City of Peterborough’s Rain Garden Subsidy Program Providing Resources and Funds for Local Garden Installation

The City of Peterborough’s Rain Garden Subsidy Program, delivered in partnership with GreenUP, provides eligible property owners with educational resources and up to $1,000 toward the cost of installing a rain garden.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

“Currently, only 25 per cent of the City of Peterborough’s stormwater is filtered for pollutants before entering natural waterways, such as the Otonabee River or Jackson Creek,” says Councillor Joy Lachica, chair of the City of Peterborough Environment and Climate Change Portfolio. “Rain gardens are an important part of a greener stormwater management strategy by reducing the amount of polluted runoff entering local waterways, which keeps the watershed healthy and can also reduce the risk of localized urban flooding.”

There are many options for tailoring the size and style of a rain garden, but they all function the same due to their bowl shape. This bowl shape collects water from roofs and other hard surfaces. These gardens use plants and fast-draining soil to absorb and filter water that would otherwise flow straight into storm sewers.

To function properly, rain gardens must be designed and located in a particular way. That’s why this subsidy process provides support for property owners, including design templates, educational resources and on-site consultation from GreenUP staff.

“We know folks can be intimidated by the idea of designing and building their own rain garden, but it’s doable with a bit of support,” says Hayley Goodchild, coordinator with GreenUP’s Neighbourhood and Residential programs. “That’s why GreenUP has partnered with the City to support this subsidy program. We help applicants through the process, step-by-step.”

This year, the maximum subsidy amount is $1,000 per garden, and GreenUP  provides up to two on-site visits to advise on design and construction.

Goodchild says the number of subsidies is limited and are awarded on a first come, first serve basis.

Interested property owners can begin their application process using the link, or by contacting Curtis Mei at 705-742-7777 ext. 1507.

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