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Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association
  • Home
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CHNA Environment Committee


About the Committee
The Latest
Resources
Environmental References
​Committee Meetings
Environment Committee Archive


About the Committee

The CHNA formed an environment committee in 2019 to enhance the environmental health, liveability and ecological integrity of our neighbourhood. The committee is committed to building environmental awareness, encouraging CHNA residents to participate in community projects and strengthening communication with other local organizations, leaders and citizens who support these goals.

Committee Priorities for 2021
  1. Conduct a neighbourhood tree inventory to learn more about the health and diversity of our trees and develop a succession plan.
  2. Offer learning opportunities about wildlife-friendly gardening and native plant gardening.
  3. Celebrate and learn more about the nature in our neighbourhood and how to support it.
​
Interested in helping?
Contact us if you would like to join us at a monthly committee meeting or help us with a specific project.

The Latest

Spongy Moth Protection

Help protect neighbourhood trees from moth infestation!

Join us at Princess Margriet Park 7:30 pm Tuesday May 31st 
Help wrap local park trees with burlap to protect them from Spongy Moths (previously known as Gypsy Moths) and/or pick up some free burlap and twine to wrap tree trunks in your yard.  Thanks to the City Forestry Department, we have a huge roll of burlap and can cut off whatever amounts you need.
For more information, see: ottawa.ca/spongymoth

burlap_installation_fact_sheet.pdf
File Size: 1653 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


​Native Plant Demonstration Garden
Created and maintained by volunteers from the neighbourhood


After the spring tulips fade, plants native to Eastern Ontario dominate the garden in the northeast part of Fairmont Park. This garden was created to show off the beauty of easy-to-grow native plants. They’re also the kind of plants that attract birds and pollinators.

Native plants are those that occur naturally in a region. They are well adapted to the local climate and will provide a natural habitat for many species of animals and birds. Because of patches of native plants, like this one in Fairmont Park, you can expect to see more wildlife in the park. Be on the lookout for birds, insects and maybe small mammals that will find food, protection, and nesting sites here.

Non-native species, on the other hand, can be invasive and may alter the ecosystem of an area. They are known to crowd out native plants. And local animals, unfamiliar with the foreign plants, don’t recognize these plants for food or shelter.

Other Benefits of Native Plants:

Low maintenance -- Once established, native plants generally require little maintenance. Because native plants are adapted to local soil and environmental conditions, they don’t require additional fertilizer and should get enough water from the rain.

Beauty -- Many native plants offer beautiful showy flowers, produce abundant colourful fruits and seeds, and present brilliant seasonal changes in colours. If you watch the garden from season to season, you’ll see certain colours associated with particular months. For instance, the pale greens tend to appear in early spring, the vibrant yellows in summer, and the reds in autumn.

Here’s what’s thriving in the Fairmont Garden so far:

Swamp Milkweed
Asclépiade incarnate
Asclepias incarnata

Flat-topped White Aster
Aster à ombelles
Doellingeria umbellate

Golden Alexander
Aizia doré
Zizia aurea

Bottlebrush Grass
Élyme étalé
Elymus hystrix

Red Columbine
Ancolie du Canada
Aquilegia canadensis

Zigzag Goldenrod Verge
d'or à tige zigzagante
Solidago flexicaulis

Large-leaved Aster
Aster à grandes feuilles
Eurybia macrophylla

Common White Snakeroot
Eupatoire rugueuse
Eupatorium rugosum

American Spikenard
Aralie à grappes
Aralia racemosa

Blue-stemmed Goldenrod
Verge d'or bleuâtre
Solidago caesia

Sky Blue Aster
Aster azuré
Symphyotrichum oolentangiense

Early Sunflower
Héliopsis faux-hélianthe
Heliopsis helianthoides

Bowman’s Root
Gillé trifoliée
Gillenia trifolia

If you’re inspired to put some native plant species in your own garden:
  • the Nature Conservancy of Canada has some great plant suggestions;
  • the City of Ottawa also has a guide to native plants;
  • and the Canadian Wildlife Federation maintains a helpful Native Plant Encyclopedia.

                      Happy Gardening!

Date Posted: Mar 21, 2022
Picture
©Peter Hall

Nature in our Neighbourhood

Observe, Learn & Share! Learn to identify species in our neighbourhood and share your wildlife, tree and plant observations using the bilingual iNaturalist app.  
​

Check out recent sightings and observations in the CHNA area below
  • Who are our superstar nature observers?
  • What fascinating wildlife is in our ‘hood?
  • How does the diversity of nature in our neighbourhood compare to other areas in Ottawa?

​Date Posted: Jun 6, 2020
iNaturalist
View more observations near Civic Hospital on iNaturalist ยป

Resources

​Planting Trees in Small Spaces

Environmental References

  1. Ecology Ottawa
  2. Envirocentre
  3. Fletcher Wildlife Garden
  4. Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton
  5. Ottawa Field Naturalists Club
  6. Ottawa Horticulture Society
  7. Ottawa Riverkeeper

Committee Meetings

Meeting minutes available upon request – contact us​.

Environment Committee Archive

Here you'll find older content by the Environment Committee.

Quick links

Neighbourhood Resources
Events and Meetings
Key Matters

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Support

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Stay connected

© 2021 Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Neighbourhood Resources
    • Board of Directors
    • Newsletters
    • Contact Us
  • Get Involved
    • Membership Sign-up and Payment
    • Volunteer
    • Become a Sponsor
  • Events & Meetings
    • Meeting Presentations and Minutes
  • Committees
    • 1081 Carling Sub-Committee
    • Civic Hospital Relocation
    • Planning and Development
    • Transportation
    • Home Security and Fraud Prevention
    • History and Heritage
    • Environment
  • Key Matters
  • History & Heritage
    • Historypin
    • Virtual Walking Tour