PROJECT: Ottawa (National Capital Region) Wildlife Festival
National Wildlife Week was created in 1947
by an Act of Parliament to raise awareness among Canadians about the importance
of wildlife and wildlife conservation.
Each year thousands of Canadians participate in a celebration of
wildlife. Please visit the website
below to see how you as a school, individual, group or business can participate
in the local Ottawa events, such as the Wildlife Awareness Event / Exhibition
at Billings Bridge Plaza; the Wildlife Festival Forum at the Canadian Museum of
Nature; or the various nature walks and library program presentations.
Our
Partners: City
of Ottawa, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, Canadian Museum of Nature,
Wildlife Habitat Canada, Canadian Wildlife Federation, Ontario Ministry of
Natural Resources, Canadian Wildlife Service, Parks Canada, Fletcher Wildlife
Garden.
Project
website: www.ncrwildlifefestival.org
PROGRAM:
Caring for
Your Land Series (Course-in-a-Box) Workshops
These Course-in-a-Box Workshops are
designed to educate landowners and the general public on various natural
resources management topics. Each course contains a binder with the course
material and a presentation on CD.
These self-contained resources are available to interest groups and
individuals in the community. A steering committee oversees the projects.
The Ottawa Stewardship Council is currently
developing a Course-in-a-Box on the topic of ìUrban Forestryî.
Our
Partners: Eastern
Ontario Urban Forest Network (Eastern Ontario Model Forest, Tree Canada
Foundation, Natural Resources Canada ñ Canadian Forest Service, City of Ottawa,
University of Toronto)
Program
website: www.stewardshipcentre.on.ca/stewardshipCanada/
PROGRAM: Green Acres ñ Ottawaís Rural Reforestation Program
The City of Ottawa's Green Acres Program is looking for
empty idle fields to be transformed into thriving green woodlands. The program
provides landowners with advice and assistance in setting up a proper planting
plan for their properties, and a source of suitable planting stock (i.e. high
quality, genetically appropriate, and cost effective bare root seedlings). Landowners must be rural property owners in
the City of Ottawa, have a minimum of 0.4 hectares (1 acre) of suitable land
and must agree to cover the subsidized cost of the tree seedlings, site
preparation, planting and tending as well as agreeing to reasonably protect the
plantation.
Our Partners: City of Ottawa,
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, Landowner Resource Centre, Mississippi
Valley Conservation, South Nation Conservation
Program
website: www.rideauvalley.on.ca/programs/green_acres/green_acres.htm
PROJECT: Ottawa
Eco-Stewardship Fair
A free,
fun-filled and informative day, to be held on April 19 2008, with over 90
exhibits to present money saving ways to conserve energy, re-cycle your ìjunkî,
learn about healthy lifestyles and much more.
Outside, the Transportation Fair will feature energy-efficient cars like
the Enbridge natural gas car, and unique vehicles like the Queenís University
Solar Vehicle and those of the Electric Vehicle Council of Ottawa. Throughout the day, you can choose from
among 12 or more practical, informative seminars by well-known speakers like
Bill Kemp, an expert in renewable energy and author of ìThe Renewable Energy
Handbook for Homeownersî, and ìSmart Powerî, an urban guide to renew energy and
efficiently.
Our Partners:
Greenprint,
Ottawa-Carleton Wildlife Centre, Enbridge Gas, Earth Day Ottawa.
Project website:
www.ottawaecofair.ca
PROJECT: Manor
Park Marsh Stewardship
This new project
being developed is currently at the planning stage. Following the review of a recent site assessment, the potential
management options (invasive plant species control, native shrub plantings,
etc.), installation of interpretive signage and future use of this natural site
will be explored, in view of the anticipated nearby development and associated
pressure on this local green space.
Our Partners:
National Capital Commission,
Manor Park Community Council, Manor Park Public School, Ottawa Field
Naturalistsí Club.
Website: N/A
PROJECT: Dolman
(Borthwick) Ridge Nut Grove Coordination
A project
developed to oversee and promote the restoration, conservation and adaptation
of nut tree plantations in Ottawaís eastern greenbelt area (Mer Bleue). The nut grove is managed as a local native nut
tree culture agro-forestry demonstration site.
Our Partners:
National Capital
Commission, Eastern Chapter ñ Society of Ontario Nut Growers.
Project website:
N/A
Project reports available at:
www.easternontariostewardship.org/ottawa/english/products/index.html
PROJECT: Petrie
Island Turtle Survey
The
Friends of Petrie Island and the OSC conducted a survey of turtle nesting sites
in 2006 and 2007. One of the recommendations from the 2007 survey was to
"consider how best to re-orient the survey, if appropriate, to the study
and protection of species at risk turtles on Petrie Island." While plans
for the 2008 survey have yet to be confirmed, one of options being considered
is a survey of the Blandings Turtle population in Urban Natural Area (UNA) 92,
which comprises Petrie Island and the adjacent shoreline. This survey will
probably begin in the spring, and continue into the early summer (Blandings
turtles have been sited on the Island in May and June in previous years). It
has yet to be decided if the nesting survey will be continued, or whether the
available volunteer resources will concentrate on the Blandings survey.
Our Partners:
City of Ottawa,
Friends of Petrie Island
Project website:
N/A
Project reports available at:
http://www.fallingbrook.com/petrieisland/documents/documents.htm
PROGRAM: Carp River Green Banks ñ Shoreline Restoration Program
A program aimed at protecting and/or
creating habitat, restoring and stabilizing degraded shorelines and banks of
the Carp River in Ottawa, through tree and/or shrub plantings.
Our
Partners: Rideau
Valley Conservation Authority, Mississippi Valley Conservation, City of Ottawa,
Landowner Resource Centre.
Program website: N/A
PROJECT: Petrie Island Stewardship Plan
The purpose of this
stewardship plan, which is a joint initiative of the Friends of Petrie Island
and the OSC, is to recommend a strategic framework for theenvironmentally
responsible and sustainable management and development of the PetrieIslands and mainland
(Urban Natural Area (UNA) 92).
The draft plan was
presented to the Ottawa Forest and Greenspace Advisory Committee (OFGAC) in
November 2007. It was subsequently
forwarded to the City of Ottawa management.
The Friends of Petrie Island and the OSC will work with the City staff
to finalize and implement the stewardship plan.
The stewardship plan
builds on a strong existing framework of municipal environmentalmanagement practices,
volunteer engagement, and existing natural resource inventoriesand studies.
By bringing together
these various elements together in one coherent plan, thestewardship plan will
facilitate the coordinated efforts of the several concerned groups,organizations and
jurisdictions that have an interest in the sustainable development andmanagement of the
Islands.
Our Partners: Friends of
Petrie Island, City of Ottawa, Ottawa Forest and Greenspace Advisory Committee.
Project website: N/A
PROJECT: Eastern Ontario Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Projects
(3)
As part of the Ottawa Stewardship Councilís
partnership agreement with the Eastern Chapter ñ Society of Ontario Nut Growers
and the National Capital Commission, we are coordinating/managing the Dolman
(Borthwick) Ridge Nut Grove on the partnershipís behalf. Building on the
success of this and other projects, we continually explore new Agro-Forestry
opportunities to expand and encourage new local nut culture initiatives in
other site.
BoisÈs Est enr. and the National Wild
Turkey Federation have expressed interest in a partnership to develop this
program.
National Wild Turkey
Federation Project
The American Chestnut is believed to be an important
element of wild turkey habitat. This
project will collect American Chestnut seed for germination and seedling growth
by the Ferguson Forest Centre, for distribution to Eastern Ontario Landowners
to replant on their respective properties, thus increasing the distribution of
the American Chestnut species and enhancing wildlife habitat.
BoisÈs Est Enr.
Nut seed collection for distribution to
Eastern Ontario landowners to grow seedlings from the collected seed (Black
Walnut and other species) in order for them to replant on their respective
properties, thus increasing the distribution of the species and enhancing
wildlife habitat.
Dolman Ridge
(Borthwick) Nut Grove Plantation
Minor expansion of the nut grove agro-forestry
demonstration site: Black Walnut and Butternut planting project (new tree
plantation).
Our Partners: National Wild
Turkey Federation, BoisÈs Est Enr., National Capital Commission.
Project websites: N/A
PROGRAM: Urban Forestry (Greening)
Program
This program currently being developed (at a very
preliminary stage) will strategically deliver on greening projects that will
promote, create or sustain urban green infrastructure in the City of Ottawa.
Our Partners: TBD
Program
website: N/A
OSC
SUPPORTED PARTNER PROGRAMS / PROJECTS
PROGRAM: Ottawa Rural Clean Water (Grant) Program
A City of Ottawa initiative that offers grants and
technical assistance for rural projects such as manure storage, septic system
repairs, buffer strips and erosion protection.
The project must improve and protect surface water and/or groundwater
quality. The City of Ottawaís Rural
Clean Water Program looks to improve water quality in local rivers, streams,
creeks and groundwater reserves by reducing non-point source pollution from
infiltrating into the soil and running off the land. A healthy aquatic ecosystem and the protection of our groundwater
resources mean something for everyone: improved habitat for fish and wildlife,
sustainable agricultural production, safe and reliable water supplies, etc.
Our Partners: City of Ottawa,
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, Landowner Resource Centre, Mississippi
Valley Conservation and South Nation Conservation
Program
website: http://www.rvca.ca/programs/rcwp/ottawa_rcwp.html
PROGRAM: City Stream Watch
An initiative set up in 2003 that records and manages
information on the physical and biological characteristics of creeks and
streams in the City of Ottawa, while ensuring that they remain valued natural
features of the communities through which they flow. The program relies on and encourages the interest and commitment
of volunteers from the community, guided by an experienced coordinator, to
learn and conduct macro stream assessments on local waterways, participate in
sampling fish communities through seining, and assist in stream clean-ups and
stream rehabilitation projects.
Our Partners: The Rideau
Valley Conservation Authority, City of Ottawa, Heron Park Community Association,
Ottawa Flyfishers Society, Rideau River Roundtable and National Defence HQ ñ
Fish and Game Club
Program website: www.rideauvalley.on.ca/programs/streamwatch
PROGRAM: Eastern Ontario Childrenís Water Festival (Ottawa,
Prescott-Russell, Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry)
The Eastern Ontario Childrenís Water Festival is a full day
environmental education program for grade 4 students that aims to educate
children about the value of the fragility
of our water resources. Over 4000
participants every year benefit from this innovative program, which is
presented in partnership with area high schools, community groups,
municipalities and environmental organizations.
Our Partners: Rideau Valley Conservation Authority,
Mississippi Valley Conservation, School Boards of Eastern Ontario, Mill of
Kintail Conservation area., Ferme Drouin Farm, Baxter Conservation Area, United
Counties of Prescott-Russell,
Prescott-Russell Stewardship Council, Raisin Region Conservation Authority
Program
website: http://www.riverinstitute.ca/festival.htm
PROJECT: Living with Deer (Ottawa Deer Management Committee)
Committee aimed at developing a Strategy to
address and raise awareness of ecological and social issues regarding deer over-population
in Ottawaís rural and suburb landscape.
Our
Partners: City
of Ottawa, National Capital Commission, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources,
Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority,
Department of National Defence, Public Works and Government Services Canada,
Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and
Rural Affairs.
Project
website: N/A
PROJECT: Ottawa Envirothon Regional Competition
Ontario Envirothon (The ìEnvironmental
Olympics) is an interactive environmental education program in English and
French for youth from grades 9 to 12.
This program is delivered through field trips, resource materials and
competitions at the regional, provincial and international level. All material is tailored to fit the Ontario
curriculum and Ontario specific activities and scientific information. The Envirothon promotes teamwork, critical
thinking and problem solving for participants.
Our
Partners: Ontario
Forestry Association, TBD.
PROJECT: Petrie Island Advisory Committee
The City of Ottawa established this committee as a forum
for ongoing community consultation, to provide input, discussion and advice as
it relates to the day-to-day operational management, and longer term strategic
development and operational issues at Petrie Island.
Our Partners: City of Ottawa,
Friends of Petrie Island, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Rideau Valley
Conservation Authority and various local community associations.
Project website: N/A
PROJECT: Ottawa Riverkeeper Annual Cleanup
A project set up to clean up and to protect the aquatic and
riparian habitats located on a given (island / shoreline) property and maintain
the natural characteristics that make it a unique place.
Our Partners: National Capital
Commission, Ottawa Riverkeeper, City of Ottawa and various community
associations and individuals.
Project
website: www.ottawariverkeeper.ca
OTHER OSC SUPPORTED
PROGRAMS / PROJECTS:
…
Butternut
Recovery Project
…
Osprey
Platform Projects
…
Eastern
Chapter Society of Ontario Nut Growers associate member
…
Kemptville
Winter Woodlot Conference
…
Kemptville
Fall Forest Fair
…
Ontario
Environmental Network |
