CHNA Environment Committee
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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 2023
Interested in helping?
Contact us if you would like to join us at a monthly committee meeting or help us with a specific project.
Committee Priorities for 2023
- Learn more about the health and diversity of our trees and develop a succession plan.
- Offer learning opportunities about wildlife-friendly gardening and native plant gardening.
- 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
Join the 2023 City Nature Challenge!
April 28-May 1
Help uncover and document the natural diversity of the Ottawa/Gatineau region: it’s as easy as taking a walk around our neighbourhood and taking some photos with your cellphone! You don't need to be an expert, there's no minimum or maximum age, and we all learn together.
We look forward to sharing and learning more about the diversity of wildlife in the hood!
Click here for more information.
Date Posted: Apr 18, 2023
- Download the 'iNaturalist' app in advance (it’s available free for android and iphone, or on the web at inaturalist.ca) and get familiar with how to add nature observations. There are several short and helpful tutorials on the website.
- Between April 28 and May 1, use the app to record and upload photos or observations.
- Then, between May 2 to 7, have a look at each other’s observations, identify the ones you know and learn from each other.
We look forward to sharing and learning more about the diversity of wildlife in the hood!
Click here for more information.
Date Posted: Apr 18, 2023
Native Plant Demonstration Garden
Created and maintained by volunteers from the neighbourhood
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After the spring tulips fade, plants native to Eastern Ontario dominate the garden in the northeast part of Princess Margriet Park (formerly 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 Princess Margriet 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 Princess Margriet Park 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:
Happy Gardening! Date Posted: Mar 21, 2022 - updated Apr 18, 2023 |
©Peter Hall
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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
Date Posted: Jun 6, 2020
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
Resources
Environmental References
Committee Meetings
Meeting minutes available upon request – contact us.
Environment Committee Archive
Here you'll find older content by the Environment Committee.