Fleming College Receives $360,000 to Fight "Canada's Worst Invasive Plant"
/The money will go to fighting a highly prevalent aggressive reed commonly known as invasive phragmites.
FLEMING COLLEGE PHOTO
Peterborough Blogs
More Than 600 Trees Planted in South-End Park
/About 60 volunteers planed 620 new trees at Kiwanis Community Park on Saturday.
city of peterborough photo
The event was put on by Tree Canada and the LCBO as part of Tree Canada’s Community Tree Grant program and the Trees 4 Peterborough initiative which includes contributions from RBC Dominion Securities, the Excelsior Group, Peterborough Homes and Merrett Home Hardware.
“Tree Canada’s Community Tree Grants program provides funding and technical expertise for community greening, innovation and stewardship initiatives,” said Nicole Hurtubise, CEO of Tree Canada. “We are thrilled to support the City of Peterborough’s tree planting project, which will bring long-lasting social and environmental benefits where people live, work and play.”
The event, to enhance the city’s urban forest canopy, was also supported by The Rotary Club of Peterborough, Peterborough GreenUp and Otonabee Conservation.
A diversity of native trees were planted at the park to replace approximately 400 dead or dying ash trees that have been negatively affected by the emerald ash borer.
The affected trees along with understory vegetation including invasive buckthorn were removed in August.
“The planting of a diverse species of more than 600 trees in Kiwanis Park will be very much appreciated by the residents of Ashburnham Ward who live in close proximity to this park,” stated councillor Gary Baldwin, co-chair of the Community Services portfolio.
“I believe the residents of the area will be pleased with the end results and enhancements to the park,” added councillor Keith Riel.
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One City and GreenUP Get Planting at the Trinity Centre As Part of Green Infrastructure Initiative
/GreenUP and One City Peterborough helped Trinity Centre become more in tune with nature by planting trees and other greenery over 75 sq.m. of lawn Tuesday morning.
Volunteers Eila Buziak (left) and Quentin Day (right) finish the planting of a pear tree as one of several species to occupy the Trinity Centre. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The project at One City is part of the Living Cities Program, an initiative by Green Communities Canada to help organizations aid their respective communities in green infrastructure projects.
The green infrastructure will increase the biodiversity of plants on the site, improve stormwater management, and increase access to food according to Tegan Moss, GreenUP executive director.
“We are grateful to receive support from Green Communities Canada through the Living Cities Fund,” she said. “These funds allow us to work closely with equity-deserving communities to co-develop plans for green infrastructure that work for the community where they are planted.”
Moss adds that the green infrastructure will help to improve air quality and offer the opportunity for people to work together to build a stronger sense of community and belonging as they collectively care for the plants.
Volunteers moved soil, compost and mulch. They planted 20 trees which included apple, pear, peach, apricot, birch, black cherry and maple. Six currant and raspberry bushes were installed, as well as 94 other plants including New England aster, silverweed, swamp milkweed, switchgrass, brown fox sedge, blue flag iris, wild strawberry, yarrow, prairie smoke, and creeping thyme.
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City of Peterborough Hosting Downtown Community Cigarette Butt Clean Up On Sunday Morning
/The City of Peterborough and Peterborough DBIA is inviting the public to make things a little clearer in the Downtown Community Cigarette Butt Clean Up starting from Quaker Foods City Square on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
Gloves, pick-up pails and litter pickers are provided but the City is asking to bring your own upcycled container.
Cleaners can search for cigarette butts anywhere in the downtown area.
An entry draw and several prizes available for most butts collected are being held. Registration at the event will be required to be eligible.
At the end of the event, the City is launching a contest that will last for 42 days until September to see how many cigarette butts can be collected until that last day of Summer.
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Federal Government Announces $8.5 Million Funding of Two Projects For Conservation Efforts and Ecosystem Protection In Peterborough.
/The Federal Government has invested over $8.5 million in funding for two projects that will help advance conservation efforts and protect ecosystems in Peterborough, announced at Jackson Park on Thursday afternoon.
File Photo.
The announcement was made by Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business, and Adam van Koeverden, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and to the Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
“Protecting nature is one of the best and easiest ways that we can fight climate change,” said Valdez. “These vital ecosystems, like those here in Peterborough, absorb carbon and increase our communities’ resilience to the effects of climate change.”
The Government of Canada has launched the largest conservation campaign in the country’s history in order to meet its emissions reduction targets and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 according to Valdez.
“Our government has launched the largest ever conservation campaign in Canada’s history, with a goal of protecting 30 per cent of lands and waters in Canada,” she said. “That starts with protecting spaces like these. The long-term benefits are enormous, getting us closer to our climate goals and protecting forever the critical habitat of so many species.”
The projects being funded under the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund are:
$7 million for the Kawartha Land Trust to support its work to advance conservation efforts under way by securing an additional 566 hectares of intact temperate forest and freshwater coastal habitat to support 28 species at risk
$1.586 million for the Association of Conservation Authorities of Ontario to protect vital ecosystems from destruction and fund activities that protect at-risk species, including Snapping Turtle, False Hop Sedge and Chimney Swift
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Ontario Government Offering Free Admission to Provincial Parks July 19
/To mark Healthy Parks Healthy People Day, Ontario government is offering free day-use access to provincial parks on July 19 announced on Monday.
The Ontario government is enhancing those recreational opportunities by building 300 new campsites and bringing electrical services to 800 existing campsites at several parks throughout the province. File Photo.
This annual celebration is part of a global movement to promote health benefits of getting outside with nature according to a press release.
“I invite all Ontarians to take advantage of this free pass to Ontario Parks, an opportunity to immerse yourselves in the joy and wonder of exploring the great outdoors,” said Andrea Khanjin, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Whether you’re looking to get some exercise or seeking a fun and affordable day with your family, I hope this free day will give more people the opportunity to explore everything that their local provincial park has to offer.”
Several programs and facilities offer hiking, cycling, paddling, swimming and more.
Throughout the summer, Ontario Parks offers numerous ways to engage with nature including:
In-park Discovery Programs which allow kids and adults to gain confidence in nature and around wildlife through activities such as guided hikes to explore a new trail and other educational programs.
The 30x30 Nature Challenge to encourage people to spend 30 minutes in nature for 30 days during the month of August.
Take a Hike Day on August 10, providing guided hikes at provincial parks around the province. Visitors can join in on one of the many events happening across the province.
To ensure access to Healthy Parks Healthy People Day, visitors are encouraged to obtain a daily vehicle permit up to five days before the celebration, at no charge, for the 75 parks that offer this service.
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City of Peterborough Planning Litter Action Initiative On July 14
/After the City’s first Great Community Litter Clean-up events held during the spring, a Community Cigarette Butt and Litter Clean-Up planned by local group Clean Up Peterborough, will be held on July 14 with the City providing supplies and waste collection.
Photo by David Tuan Bui.
This event is planned in conjunction with Unsmoke Canada Cleanups, a program that supports litter cleanup projects and helps raise awareness on littering in Canada, with an emphasis on cigarette butt waste according to the City. Cigarette butts are among the most frequently littered items in the world, taking decades to decompose and leaching toxins into soil and water says Umsoke Canada. It is harmful to wildlife if ingested.
Residents are invited to participate in the Community Cigarette Butt and Litter Clean-Up between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., meeting at the Del Crary Park municipal parking lot, 100 George St. N. A table will be set up near the parking lot for participants to get supplies and drop off garbage.
The clean-up will target locations in Del Crary Park and the Marina, Millennium Park, and the shoreline of Little Lake. City of Peterborough’s Recreation and Parks Services Division will provide disposable latex gloves and garbage bags for volunteers. To ensure sufficient supplies and to record participation numbers, residents are asked to sign up by emailing cleanuppeterborough@gmail.com.
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Hometown PTBO: GreenUP's Tegan Moss Named to the Pathway of Fame and Her Environmental Impact on Peterborough
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This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with GreenUp executive director Tegan Moss about her induction into this year's Peterborough Pathway of Fame, her environmental journey and how she made our City a little greener.
New Electric Vehicle Chargers Opens In Selwyn Township
/Selwyn Township has made itself a little greener as they have introduced its new electric vehicle chargers at the municipal office on Tuesday morning.
(From left to right) Emilie Fargeout, Senior Project Manager for Earth Day Canada; Shilpi Singh, Aviva Canada Assistant Vice President of Sustainability; Sherry Senis, Selwyn Township Mayor; Ron Black, Deputy Mayor; Biran Henry, Smith Ward Councillor; John Boyko, Lakefield Ward Councillor and Ennismore Ward Councillor Mary Coulas. Photo courtesy of Selwyn Township.
The announcement was made with Township members, Aviva Canada and Earth Day Canada representatives.
In November, the Township installed six electric vehicle chargers at four locations. These include the Township Municipal Office, Ennismore Community Centre, Bridgenorth Library, and the River Den in Lakefield.
The new chargers help expand access to public charging in Selwyn Township which supports a transition to electric vehicles and reduces greenhouse gas emissions according to Mayor Sherry Senis.
“Today, we're not just launching new electric vehicle chargers; we're plugging into a sustainable future for Selwyn Township,” she said. These chargers mark our commitment to driving change, empowering our community to embrace clean transportation and steer towards a greener horizon.”
The installation of the new electric vehicle chargers was funded through Aviva Canada’s Charged for Change program in partnership with Earth Day Canada.
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Siemens Canada Employees Plant 100 Trees and Shrubs at Riverview Park & Zoo
/Employees from Siemens Canada in Peterborough planted 100 native trees and shrubs at the Riverview Park & Zoo on Wednesday.
Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.
