Council today approved a new Solid Waste Services By-law(link is external) to guide the City’s waste collection, removal and disposal programs. The by-law was updated following a fulsome review and incorporates policy and program changes that Council has approved since 2012. They include: Council passed a motion to exempt agricultural properties from the new three-item limit for applicable unavoidable…
First, I would like to thank the City of Ottawa for allowing me, a humble tree, the opportunity to talk with you today. Then again, who else would be better suited to tell you about the City’s forestry team and tree planting process first hand? Or, first branch? Ottawa’s trees and forests are an integral…
Saturday, Nov. 23 – 10:00 -11:30amFirst Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa (30 Cleary) Would you like to hear about more environmentally sustainable options than traditional burial and cremation? Join us for this 90-minute information session where knowledgeable speakers from local organizations will outline alternatives such as natural (green) burial, aquamation and other sustainable end-of-life options.Bring any…
It was my pleasure to host a Volunteer Appreciation & Welcome to Fall event at Ron Kolbus Lakeside on Tuesday evening. We have so many amazing volunteers in our community. There was lots of interest in the many tables on city departments and community partners. I look forward to expanding this event next year to…
At this past week’s City Council meeting, much of the discussion centered on the City of Ottawa’s ongoing struggle to receive its fair share of payments in lieu of taxes (PILTs) from the federal government. The city’s current reliance on property taxes is insufficient to cover the full range of services and programs we provide—including…
Infrastructure is not something you notice until it is not there. Talking about infrastructure is not the most exciting topic for conversation. We expect to be able to drink water, have a shower and use a toilet. Why talk about it? The city of Ottawa just presented our Infrastructure Master Plan. The recent experience in…
On May 1 City Council approved a permanent, expanded Rain Ready Ottawa program to help residents manage rainfall on their properties, reduce the harmful impacts of stormwater runoff on small open watercourses and improve the health of Ottawa’s waterways. The program offers rebates for retrofits that redirect rain and make properties more absorbent, such as…
“Putting Down Roots for the Future” is the City of Ottawa’s 20-year strategic Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP). Ottawa’s urban forest includes all trees and their habitat on both public and private property. The plan was passed by Council in June 2017 and provides a comprehensive long-term vision and strategic direction for Ottawa’s urban forest. The plan includes twenty-six recommendations and…
Spring migration has begun and thousands of birds who fly through or choose Ottawa as their summer home are arriving daily until late June. Safe Wings Ottawa, a nonprofit volunteer-based organization working to prevent fatal collisions with glass, estimates that over 250,000 birds in Ottawa alone collide with windows every year, including Species At Risk. Birds…
If you are thinking of improving the energy efficiency of your home there are lots of rebates, incentives and financing programs available to help you. You’ll find a handy list of them all at betterhomesottawa.ca. Key programs include: Better Homes Ottawa – Loan Program – up to a $125,000 loan from the City to finance…