Category: flora and fauna

The plants animals that live in and around Ottawa

Seeing Ottawa in New Ways

GreenLivingOttawa
Background image in grey tones showing a group of people facing away from the camera, one holding a flag with an icon of a person walking. Blue, red and white graphic frames the text "May 4-5: Jane's Walk Ottawa-Gatineau, JanesWalkOttawa.ca"
Image courtesy Jane’s Walk Ottawa-Gatineau

There are quite a few opportunities this weekend to think about our city, and what it could be, in different ways. (Apologies for the last-minute post—life happens!) Here are some highlights:

Jane’s Walk Ottawa-Gatineau

Jane’s Walk Ottawa-Gatineau is happening Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5, 2024. Jane’s Walk is an annual series of community-led walks through the places and neighbourhoods of the city, in honour of Jane Jacobs, whose ideas influenced how we understand cities and city-building. This year’s walks explore and celebrate local art, architecture, histories, communities, pathways, greenspaces, habitats and biodiversity. For example, you can learn about the unique ecosystem of the Pinhey Sand Dunes; tour green homes, community gardens, or rewilding efforts; see downtown Ottawa from an Indigenous perspective; and much more. Because this year’s theme is “Towards water,” many of the walks explore the significance of waterways as meeting places, habitats and city shapers. That means you can contemplate an Indigenous canoe portage site connecting the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers; the history of the Ottawa River; or the microbes of Mud Lake. There are virtual and self-guided walks, too. Walks are conducted in English and/or French; some require pre-registration. Check the Jane’s Walk Ottawa-Gatineau website for details.

Image of an Indigenous woman (her head and shoulders); she is looking up, and her mouth is covered with red-handprint-shaped paint. Image appears on a black background, between two small red beaded dress images. Text in white and red below the image reads "MMIWG2S need justice; reconciliation demands action"
Image courtesy Families of Sisters in Spirit

Red Dress Day

I’ve posted before about the connections between environmental action and the need to address the ongoing harms of living on unceded Indigenous territory in ways that perpetuate ongoing violence against Indigenous peoples, including Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people. On Sunday, May 5, 2024, Families of Sisters in Spirit (FSIS), in collaboration with Assembly of Seven Generations, the Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women, and Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak, is hosting an event to commemorate Red Dress Day in support of local families affected by the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and Two-Spirit people. They’re welcoming donations of food and other items, as well as financial support. See the event page for details.

Ottawa International Writers Festival

The Ottawa International Writers Festival is bringing several eco-focused authors to the stage on Saturday, May 4, 2024. These include Lydia Millet and Michael E. Mann, who, in different ways, use the power of story to help think through the climate change and environmental crisis. Check the Festival website for details.

+Local Action for Palestine: INSAF and the University of Ottawa Palestinian Students’ Association are asking people to support their efforts, including the “Occupy Tabaret” campaign calling for the University to divest from genocide in Gaza. See their website for more information, and Decolonize Palestine for additional background and why this is relevant to environmental justice globally and locally.

Protect the Kichi Sibi / Ottawa River

GreenLivingOttawa
Colourful Indigenous art depicting aquatic animals (turtle, birds, fish) in black, green, orange, red and blue, on a blue background; the text "Protect our Water" is superimposed on the image.
Image courtesy of Stop Nuclear Waste

A million cubic metres of radioactive waste, to be stored permanently a kilometre from the Ottawa River, upstream from Ottawa-Gatineau, on unceded Algonquin territory: that’s what Canada’s nuclear regulator recently approved.

Despite objections from 10 Algonquin First Nations, more than 140 municipalities, many environmental groups and concerned individuals, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has authorized Canadian Nuclear Laboratories to build a “near surface disposal facility” on its site at Chalk River. CNL already houses nuclear waste at the site, but says the new “containment mound,” which it intends to start building this year, will replace existing “temporary” storage.

Algonquin First Nations have been actively raising concerns for years about the proposed facility and the risks it poses to the area’s biodiversity, land, waters and peoples. They emphasize that the Kichi Sibi–the Ottawa River–is culturally and spiritually significant, and the source of drinking water for millions of people—including Ottawa residents. The First Nations point out that CNSC made the decision without the required consultation with, or consent from, their communities, contrary to the sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples and Canada’s own Act ratifying the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

A coalition of First Nations, other groups and individuals have set up Stop Nuclear Waste to explain the situation and call for support. Here are some of the ways you can help:

  • Support the First Nations’ legal case: Kebaowek First Nation, with support from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg and Algonquins of Barriere Lake First Nations, filed a judicial review with the Federal Court of Appeals to challenge the CNSC decision. They’ve set up a Go Fund Me page where people can support the legal case against proceeding with the facility. They describe the case as potentially precedent-setting in terms of its implications for rulings related to Canada’s UNDRIP-related legislation. The Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility and two other citizens’ groups have also launched a court challenge.
  • Learn more:
    • The Stop Nuclear Waste website provides further information and suggested actions.
    • Concerned Citizens of Renfrew County and Area have outlined important considerations and problems with the project. They also share an open letter calling on federal government decision-makers to halt the project, which could serve as a template for people to draw on to write to their MPs.
    • The Ottawa Riverkeeper has also documented concerns with the NSDF project, including its proximity to the watershed, weaknesses in the plans for operation and monitoring, the problems of “legacy waste” at the site, and the failure to adequately consult with Anishinabe Algonquin peoples.

“I want to be very clear: the Algonquin Peoples did not consent to the construction of this radioactive waste dump on our unceded territory. We believe the consultation was inadequate, to say the least, and that our Indigenous rights are threatened by this proposal. We demand the cancellation of the NSDF project. The focus should instead be on a real and successful cleanup of the site to permanently eliminate old radioactive waste.”

Chief Lance Haymond, Kebaowek First Nation

“This nuclear waste facility will damage the water and we all know that.

Conscientious people are rising. We must rise together, we are all in that medicine wheel. No matter our colour, our creed or our title, we are all related in the human family and we must stand together.”

Claudette Commanda, Algonquin Elder
Poster titled "Scrap the NSDF Project Rally #2" beside a small photo of three Indigenous people with traditional drums on Parliament Hill. A larger photo below this shows several people standing with banners and posters in front of the Parliament Building; the banner reads "Scrap the Chalk River NSDF Project Approval StopNuclearWaste.Com." Text below the photos reads: "Who Should Attend: All concerned citizens of the Kichi Sibi - Ottawa River watershed. Where: Outside Westin Hotel, 11 Colonel By Drive. When: Canadian Nuclear Association Conference February 28th through March 1st. Daily demonstrations 9am-5pm. For more information: www.StopNuclearWaste.com. Stronger Together: Protect the Kichi Sibi."
Image courtesy of Stop Nuclear Waste

Nature-Inspired October Events in Ottawa

GreenLivingOttawa

Tree Fest Ottawa’s PhotoSynthesis III poster: Pollinators and the Urban Forest photography exhibit

Immerse yourself in these tree- and greening-inspired events coming up this weekend and this month:

Depaving Event: The Champlain Park Community Association, Kitchissippi Ward Councillor Jeff Leiper, the City of Ottawa, EnviroCentre and other partners are hosting a depaving event on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Volunteers are invited to help remove one block of pavement from Pontiac Street, between Carleton and Cowley Avenues. Replacing the asphalt with grass will expand Champlain Park and connect it with NCC parkway greenspace. Details are available on Councillor Jeff Leiper’s website and the Facebook event page. Find out more about the importance of depaving for the environment on Depave Paradise’s website.

Speaking for the Trees Book Talk: The Ottawa International Writers Festival hosts renowned botanist, biochemist and author Diana Beresford-Kroeger for a discussion of her book, To Speak for the Trees, on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 from 2-4 p.m. at Library and Archives Canada. Diana Beresford-Kroeger’s writings have changed the way we think about trees, their value and our relationship to them. Her book shares her journey and explains how trees are part of the solution to the climate emergency in ways we might not be aware of. Find out more and register through the OIWF website.

PhotoSynthesis Festival: Tree Fest Ottawa’s PhotoSynthesis III festival is on now until Monday, Oct. 14, 2019 at Lansdowne Park. This year’s photography exhibit focuses on Pollinators and the Urban Forest. In addition, programming on Sunday Oct. 6, 2019 from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. includes a talk on native pollinator health in Ottawa, a guided walk on pollinator gardens, a nature scavenger hunt, a bee box making workshop, stories and mural painting.

Fall Rhapsody: The NCC’s Fall Rhapsody takes place from Saturday, Oct. 5-Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Ottawa’s core, the Greenbelt and Gatineau Park. The website has tips on where to find beautiful fall colours and activities taking place across the national capital region. A sample of activities includes brunch and family yoga in Gatineau Park, guided nature hikes at Lac Philippe, a picnic and kite flying in Meech Creek Valley, Anishinabe Nibin (Algonquin summer) cultural activities, and more. On weekends, there are free shuttles from downtown Ottawa to Gatineau Park and Camp Fortune.

Forest Bathing: The Garden Promenade and Forest Therapy Ottawa are offering an opportunity to experience forest bathing in the fall colours of the Dominion Arboretum, on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Find out more and register on Eventbrite. Check out Forest Therapy Ottawa’s website for more information on the benefits of quality time spent in forests, and on other upcoming forest wellness events.

CommuniTree Conference: Blackburn Community Association, in partnership with Just Food and Ecology Ottawa, is holding a CommuniTree Conference on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019 from 9 a.m.-1:15 p.m. at the Just Food Farm. Sessions cover the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan and Tree Bylaw, urban forest sustainability, the Healing Forests project, citizen science and community tree mapping, and a walking tour of a community food forest. Register in advance through the Blackburn Community Association website.

July 2019 Long Weekend in Ottawa

GreenLivingOttawa

Transformation: the Welcoming Ottawa Mural in Vanier – a 9-story outdoor, community-created mural depicting a butterfly and other images in celebration of Ottawa’s diversity – D. Deby photo

On this long weekend, there’s no shortage of interactive and outdoor events around town. Check the weather forecast before you go, but go!

The annual Welcoming Ottawa Week (WOW) celebrates Ottawa’s diversity. This weekend’s events include guided heritage walks in Chinatown and Vanier to learn about the contributions of immigrant communities to those neighbourhoods; an African, Caribbean and Black Multiculturalism Day at Mooney’s Bay with music and dance performances, food and family activities; and WOW activities at the Ottawa Public Library and Ottawa Jazz Festival. Take your electronic device outside and check out Immigrants of Ottawa’s online exhibit of photos and stories of Ottawa residents who have received awards for their efforts to welcome newcomers.

Ecology Ottawa is hosting a Celebration of Britannia on Saturday, Jun. 29. Learn about their Green Infrastructure campaign, pick up tree seedlings and other green infrastructure items, and enjoy the free vegan and vegetarian barbecue.

StopGap Ottawa is inviting people to help build wooden ramps to increase accessibility at local businesses. The Community Ramp Build is at Makerspace North on Saturday, Jun. 29.

For more ideas, check out OttawaStart’s Big list of Ottawa farmers’ markets and Ultimate guide to Canada Day 2019 in Ottawa.

Three Things to Do for the Environment This Weekend in Ottawa

GreenLivingOttawa

Household items curbside marked “free” for Give Away Weekend in Ottawa – D. Deby photo

Here are three ways you can incorporate environmental action into your activities this beautiful spring weekend:

Take Part in Give Away Weekend

Clear your clutter, recycle household items that might be useful to others, and find free treasures. During Give Away Weekend, people are invited to set out unneeded but usable items at the curb, marked “Free,” for others to take. The City of Ottawa website has tips on what and how to share your stuff and how to dispose of items that aren’t picked up.

Enjoy Community Outdoor Events

This weekend brings a variety of community outdoor festivals, plant and art sales, which provide a great way to spend some time outdoors while supporting local. There’s Westfest, an amazing annual free festival of music, art and more. The juried New Art Festival is on in Central Park in the Glebe. A great place to buy heirloom organic plants for your garden is at Greta’s Organic Gardens’ sale on Sunday, Jun. 9. You can find fresh produce and local food items at one of Ottawa’s outdoor markets. There’s a plant swap at the Ottawa Farmers’ Market at Lansdowne on Sunday, Jun. 9. And check out the new pedestrian plaza on William Street in the ByWard Market!

Help Clean Up Flood Debris

The City of Ottawa is urgently seeking volunteers to help clean up sandbags and other materials from sites of flooding. The City’s website has details on how to get involved.