January 24, 2012

CPAWS Gatineau and Greenbelt Hikes

Posted by greenlivingottawa under 100-mile, flora and fauna, Ottawa
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Written by guest blogger Denise Deby, who writes on local and global social and environmental issues.

I haven’t yet been, but the Ottawa Valley Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS-OV) hosts weekend hikes once a month for people to spend some quality time in Gatineau Park and the Greenbelt.

Hike locations and dates are posted on their website. The next one is on Saturday, January 28 at 6:00 p.m.; it’s an evening snowshoe hike in Gatineau Park’s Meech Creek Valley. February’s hike is on Sun. 26th at 1:00 p.m. on one of the Greenbelt trails. February and March hikes are also by snowshoe, although organizers say most of the trails are packed enough to walk on without snowshoes, while April through November are on foot. Check the website for information on what to bring, where to meet and other important details.

CPAWS-OV says they welcome suggestions for hike locations as well as volunteers who’d like to lead the walks.

The hikes are, of course, also a chance to find out more about CPAWS-OV and their work to protect wilderness and biodiversity in the national capital region.

 

 

January 15, 2012

January 2012 Eco-events in Ottawa

Posted by greenlivingottawa under arts and culture, books, food, Ottawa, transportation, water
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Written by guest blogger Denise Deby, who writes on local and global social and environmental issues.

After a relatively quiet start to 2012, Ottawa is seeing quite a few environment-related events on its horizon. Coming up next: winter biking, organic farming and sustainable seafood.

Ottawa Winter Bike Parade, Sunday January 22

Citizens for Safe Cycling invites everyone to Ottawa’s first Winter Bike Parade. The parade will go from Laurier and Percy to Ottawa City Hall along the Laurier Avenue bike lane, with free apple cider at the end of the route. In the words of the organizers, the aim is “To show that Ottawa bikes in winter! And that it can be fun!”

All the Dirt: Reflections on Successful, Cooperative Organic Farming, Monday, January 23

Just Food and USC Canada present a reading and discussion with Robin Tunnicliffe, farmer and one of the authors of All the Dirt. The book tells of Tunnicliffe’s experience as a small-scale farmer and local food distributor. 7 p.m., Ottawa Public Library Main Branch Auditorium; free admission (book available for purchase).

Café Scientifique on Sustainable Seafood, Friday, January 27

The Canadian Museum of Nature is hosting a Café Scientifique, Dessert and Documentary Night on “Is eating seafood ethical and sustainable?” Resource people are Dr. Melissa Marschke, Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa’s School of International Development and Global Studies, and Joshua Bishop, Owner/Worker at The Whalesbone Oysterhouse and Sustainable Retail Oyster and Fish Store. The evening includes a screening of The End of the Line, a documentary on ocean overfishing. 6:30-10:30 p.m., $25 ($20 members, students, volunteers); reservations needed.

Stay tuned for more upcoming events (and let us know of any).

 

December 20, 2011

Giving Season

Posted by greenlivingottawa under uncategorized
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Written by guest blogger Denise Deby, who writes on local and global social and environmental issues.

It’s the gift-giving season. But some recent illnesses among family and friends have left me thinking about how little meaning a lot of our “stuff” has in our lives. What’s really important is the here-and-now, the time we have together.

So I’m wishing for you and your loved ones the gift of time.

As for seasonal posts, I don’t think I can do better than offer that you re-read Alette and Eloise’s 2007 posts on “thingless giving” and greening the holidays. You’ll find them here: http://greenlivingottawa.com/2007/12/

Thanks and all the best for the holiday season.

 

November 28, 2011

Café Scientifique: Chickens in urban Ottawa?

Posted by greenlivingottawa under 100-mile, flora and fauna, food, health, household, Ottawa, pets
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Written by guest blogger Denise Deby, who writes on local and global social and environmental issues.

Want to know more about the pros and cons of raising chickens in the city, or have an opinion about it? Or interested in a thought-provoking evening out? The Canadian Agriculture Museum is holding a Café Scientifique on Raising Chickens in the City: Human Right or Health Risk? It’s at the Fox and Feather Pub, 283 Elgin St. on Tuesday, November 29 2011 at 6 p.m.

Current municipal by-laws don’t permit chicken-raising in urban Ottawa, but some people think changing the by-laws could be a sustainable way to support local food. Others have concerns about adverse effects like health risks or noise. The Canadian Agriculture Museum says the Café will “explore all perspectives” as well as being an opportunity for “drinks, discussion and debate.”

 

November 21, 2011

A Food Action Plan for Ottawa

Posted by greenlivingottawa under 100-mile, food, health, household, volunteering
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Written by guest blogger Denise Deby, who writes on local and global social and environmental issues.

The Ottawa organization Just Food is made up of a hardworking group of people who’ve been gathering some innovative ideas about how to make Ottawa’s food system healthier, more sustainable and accessible to everyone.

Many of us are trying to eat food that’s more nutritious, more local or grown more sustainably. And many Ottawa families can’t afford healthy food, according to the City of Ottawa. The Ottawa Food Bank helps address the gap, serving about 43,000 people a month. But it’s not a long-term solution.

Just Food has spent the last couple of years talking with Ottawa residents and food experts of different backgrounds about ways to bring about “Food for All.” In June they announced a Food Action Plan for Ottawa. The Plan consists of proposals on a range of issues. Ideas include improving access to land for community gardens, encouraging public institutions to “buy local,” bringing healthy food to schools, corner stores and transportation hubs, strengthening Ottawa’s local food-processing and distribution infrastructure, and enhancing income supports for people who need them. (These and more proposals are on Just Food’s website.)

The proposals “aren’t set in stone,” says Just Food, and they’re hoping that people will comment, and participate in “Kitchen Table Talks” coming up January through March next year.

Just Food is currently looking for people to help run the Kitchen Table Talks, and is offering training sessions for prospective animators. Three training sessions are scheduled so far, on November 21 at the Sandy Hill Community Centre, November 29 at the Centretown Community Health Centre, or December 5 at the Nepean, Rideau, Osgoode Community Resource Centre. You can check out the Just Food website for details and how to register.

Stay tuned for announcements about the Kitchen Table Talks themselves, and do check out the Food Action Plan proposals online.

 

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