Schoolyard greening in Orleans

Besides being the Capital of Canada, the City of Ottawa (population 785,000) is a community of diversity and change. With an area of 276,000 ha it is one of the largest municipalities in Ontario in area and the 2nd most populated (after Toronto). As of January, 2001 it became the amalgamation of 11 former municipalities some urban (like Vanier), some rural (like West Carleton) and some in-between (like Nepean) plus the Region of Ottawa-Carleton. It is influenced by both eastern Ontario as well as western Quebec which it borders. 68% of Ottawa-Carleton residents have English as their mother tongue, 16% French and 14% other (neither English or French). Municipal re-organization in the 1970's brought together the traditionally rural Carleton County with the City of Ottawa and the Township of Cumberland (previously with the County of Russell). The latest re-organization of 2001 saw the birth of one large, diverse and potentially powerful municipality - "Ottawa" from the previous Ottawa-Carleton and its associated municipalities.

Mer Bleue Bog

There is a tremendous variety of land uses in Ottawa: from the largest farming sector in eastern Ontario to the burgeoning high technology development sector. Only recently has the high technology sector overtaken the federal government as the area's largest employer - with over 800 established companies' head offices in the area including Nortel, Corel and Alcatel.
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Physical Features
Ottawa is situated within the Great Lakes-St.Lawrence Forest Region and corresponds to Site District 6-10 ("Smiths Falls Limestone Plain") in the southwest, Site District 6-11 ("Ottawa Valley Clay Plain") in the centre and eastern portions, and Site District 5-12 ("Precambrian Shield") in the extreme northwest.

Forests
Forest cover is approximately 28% (typical for southern Ontario) scattered in blocks interspersed with farmland and other human modified areas with a mixture of forest types of mostly lowland species (poplar, cedar, white spruce) but also of other types such as: upland hardwoods (sugar maple, American beech, red oak) and coniferous plantations (red pine, jack pine, white spruce). One of the largest contiguous blocks is the 12,000 ha Marlborough Forest. Other forested areas correspond with either poorly drained soils or in the case of the Carp Ridge, with major rock outcroppings.

Water
Ottawa is dominated by the two major rivers, the Rideau flowing from south to north (which roughly cuts the Region in two) and the Ottawa River which flows from west to east (forming the northern boundary of the City) as well as the Mississippi and South Nation. There are a few medium size rivers such as the Jock, Castor, Carp and Green's Creek. Most of these rivers can be characterized as being typical of slow moving, clay-based aquatic ecosystems. Many of them have been severely altered (ditched, straightened etc.) are high in nutrients (especially phosphorous), low in oxygen with lots of beaver activity. There are 3-4 true coldwater portions of streams in Ottawa: Poole Creek (former Goulbourn Twp.), Finlay Creek (former Osgoode Twp.), Shield's Creek (former Osgoode Twp.) and Feedmill Creek (former Kanata/West Carleton Twp.). Approximately 8% of Ottawa's land area is classified as wetland composed of 22 individual wetlands and 26 wetland complexes. These include the internationally recognized Mer Bleue bog which is located in the east end of the City and is mostly (but not wholly) owned by the National Capital Commission.

Yellow spotted salamander at Envirothon competition

Fish and Wildlife
There are up to 36 species of fish found in the Ottawa River including suckers, dace, bass, pike, pickerel and muskellunge. Sturgeon are returning to the Ottawa River with other interesting fish species including channel catfish, quillbacks and gar. Six species of turtle including the vulnerable spotted turtle are found. Six species of snake, three species of salamander and nine species of frog are found in Ottawa as well.
Dependent on habitat type, many waterfowl, songbirds, hawks and forest birds are found throughout the Region. Examples are: great blue heron, black tern, pileated woodpecker, bay breasted warbler and red-shouldered hawk.

Mammals found in Ottawa include: mink, otter, beaver, muskrat, fisher, lynx, coyote, raccoon, the occasional black bear and in increasing numbers in the east end - moose. There are a number of deeryards found throughout Ottawa, especially in the west end of West Carleton and Kanata. Conflicts with deer are on the rise in Ottawa. Vehicle accidents involving deer have been doubling every four years. Farmers are reporting greater crop losses due to deer. As well, there are large areas of natural forest heavily grazed by white-tailed deer as well. The Council is working with landowners and agencies on a Living With Deer strategy.

Agriculture - a mainstay of the rural economy

Ottawa — Canada's Farming Capital
Ottawa is in many ways, Canada's farming capital. Agriculture is the major land use in Ottawa (approx. 80% of the land area) and a major component of the rural economy even though expanding urbanization and interest in other sectors of the economy sometimes marginalize this aspect of life. There are 1, 492 farms in Ottawa which represents more than $400 million to the area' s annual economy. There are 323 cattle farms, 274 dairy farms and 736 ha in vegetable production. Of special note is the 279,339 sq. metres in greenhouse production - one of the leaders in Ontario. Of interest is the 20,000 ha of "Greenbelt" land around the urban areas of Ottawa of which 1/3 is in agricultural production leased by the National Capital Commission to farmers. The Central Experimental Farm, a program of Agriculture Canada is located in close proximity to the downtown has in many ways been a source of employment and pride for the agricultural community of Ottawa and beyond.
Agriculture in Ottawa, like other areas in Canada contributes greatly to the quality of life in the area. Besides the economic benefits there are numerous social and environmental benefits of having so much of the area in agricultural production. However, there are pressures on agriculture in Ottawa - from a lack of skilled farm labour to concerns about government financial support and understanding, to the loss of agricultural land to urbanization. To address in part these concerns, the City has created a unique municipal committee - The Standing Committee on Agricultural and Rural Affairs to provide agricultural input into the new City.

Although farmers own much of the land of Ottawa, a large number of rural residents (woodlot owners, retirees, commuters) are a feature of the area as well. Agricultural fairs, fish and game clubs, snowmobile and cross-country trails are all features of life in Ottawa. The rural areas of Ottawa still contain a tremendous amount of diversity of natural environments: woodlots, wetlands and special features such as alvars and cliffs

Mud Lake - a provincially significant wetland in the heart of Ottawa.

Ottawa - A City of Green
Ottawa is known as a "green city" and not only for its large agriculture base. Because of the unique number of natural features found within the urban areas, many of the urban residents' concerns stem from the protection of its "green assets" and developing environmental programs for urban residents. A number of volunteer organizations have been created to respond to the numerous planning concerns in Ottawa. The natural features found in Urban Ottawa include the 23,000 ha "Greenbelt" managed under federal ownership by the National Capital Commission, the Rideau Canal and River, the Ottawa River shoreline, Central Experimental Farm and Dominion Arboretum and the many parkland and treed areas within the urban areas. Provincially significant wetlands (such as Mud Lake) and other natural areas are frequently found adjacent to infrastructure associated with a typical urban area.

Of the 785,000 people who live in the Region, 675,000 live in "urban" areas. In many census', greenspace and its protection are people's highest priorities. This manifests itself in the large number of lineal bikepaths, trails, wildlife (including white-tailed deer, moose and occasional black bear) found in the urban parts of the City. People in Ottawa care about their communities including its trees, wildlife, water and air quality. This is reflected in the intensity of land use planning and community participation in Ottawa - perhaps unparalleled in Canada. This is reflected in the fact that there are over 300 community associations and numerous local environmental, agricultural and wildlife based organizations which are based here.

Other Aspects of Ottawa
The National Capital Commission, that federal agency which is responsible for conserving the national significance of the National Capital Region owns and influences 20,000 ha of greenspace encircling Ottawa, commonly known as "the NCC Greenbelt". Within this greenbelt are many forests, farms and wetlands which for many people separate "urban" from "rural" Ottawa. The City of Ottawa itself is a major owner of land including large tracts on the Carp Ridge (450 ha), Pinery Long Swamp (429 ha), Marlborough Forest (7,500 ha), Torbolton Forest (174 ha) and Cumberland Forest (600 ha) many of which were encouraged through agreements under the Forestry Act with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and Province of Ontario also own lands within the Region as well, mostly in roadside and provincial parks of which there are two in Ottawa: "Fitzroy" (on the Ottawa River) and "Rideau River". There are three active Conservation Authorities in Ottawa - intra-municipal organizations that actively engage in watershed planning and protection. These include: the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, South Nation Conservation and Mississippi Valley Conservation. There are a large number of regional, provincial and federal organizations which have their offices in the area. There are over 300 community associations and numerous local environmental, agricultural and wildlife based organizations. The influence which individuals exert is more than Region wide or eastern Ontario wide, but is also provincial, national (and international) in scope