GreenUp Plants Over 400 Trees and Shrubs In Little Forest At Their Ecology Park

More than 20 GreenUP staff and volunteers planted over 400 native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers in a 100-square-metre area at Little Forest in GreenUP Ecology Park on Saturday.

There are 30 different species represented in the Ecology Park Little Forest. Photo courtesy of Alex Karn and GreenUp.

According to a pres release, over the past three years, the GreenUP has established 11 Little Forests at schools and other community spaces throughout the Nogojiwanong-Peterborough region. Asa result, Little Forest is open to the public at anytime.

“We aren’t just planting a forest — we’re growing climate resilience, creating habitat, and nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards,” said Hayley Goodchild, GreenUP landscape program manager.

GreenUP states that Little Forest is based on the Miyawaki approach to urban afforestation, named for Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, to supercharge urban biodiversity. They say the approach involves planting a diverse range of trees and shrubs very densely in degraded sites after amending the soil with plenty of organic matter and fungi, two elements that support mature, healthy forests. The dense planting strategy encourages rapid canopy growth in small urban spaces that need it the most.

“In recent years, the woodland at Ecology Park has been impacted by emerald ash borer and multiple extreme weather events, such as last year’s ice storm,” said Goodchild. “Not only will this Little Forest replace the canopy that was lost, it will also expand it for all to enjoy.”

In addition to expanding ecological corridors in the park, the forest serve three key long-term functions:

1. Demonstrating how small urban spaces can support rich biodiversity

2. Offering environmental education opportunities for GreenUP’s school and camp programs, researchers, and park visitors

3. Preserving resilient local genetics through seed collection and propagation to support future restoration projects across the Nogojiwanong-Peterborough region

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Otonabee Conservation Plants 300 Trees and Shrubs In Keene For 2026 TD Tree Days Event

Otonabee Conservation worked with 24 volunteers to plant 300 trees and shrubs at the Otonabee Court Seniors Residence in Keene on Saturday.

In 2026, TD is working with 75 organizations to plant more than 30,000 trees and shrubs. This will contribute to the more than 590,000 trees and shrubs planted by volunteers through TD Tree Days since 2010. Screenshot.

The event was part of TD Canada Trust’s ‘TD Tree Days’ event. The 20 native species of trees and shrubs planted included Eastern Redbud, Ninebark, Tamarack, and Red Osier Dogwood.

According to Otonabee Conservation, planting trees has many benefits, including improving air and water quality, reducing erosion, providing shade and cooling benefits, and supporting climate change adaptation efforts throughout the region.

 “Once again, we’re proud to be part of TD Tree Days and to work alongside dedicated volunteers and TD to strengthen our local environment,” said Janette Loveys Smith, Otonabee Conservation CAO/Secretary-Treasurer. “Every tree planted helps improve habitat, support biodiversity and build a more resilient watershed for future generations.”

City of Peterborough Invites Public to Celebrate Nature During the Great Canadian BioBlitz

The City of Peterborough invites residents to celebrate nature's beauty and learn more about local biodiversity during the Great Canadian BioBlitz until Saturday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

A bioblitz is a fun and educational way to record observations of plants, animals, and fungi that helps scientists better understand local population sizes and biodiversity trends.  

Tahe Great Canadian BioBlitz encourages people of all ages to explore parks and natural spaces and contribute to citizen science.   

“The Great Canadian BioBlitz offers residents a chance to learn about the quality and quantity of habitat available within Peterborough’s urban parks, community gardens, and other naturalized landscapes,” said Jasmine Gibson, the City of Peterborough’s Planning Ecologist. “Every species documented helps map important green spaces that sustain our community’s biodiverse natural heritage system. With the support of enthusiastic community members lending their knowledge and talents during the Great Canadian BioBlitz can help improve the City’s natural heritage map.” 

Residents are encouraged to visit a City park to participate in a self-guided bioblitz using the iNaturalist app to record nature observations. A full list of the City’s parks can be found at peterborough.ca/parks.

The Peterborough Field Naturalists are leading two guided walks at Mark S. Burnham Provincial Park to help residents learn more about native mushrooms living in the region. The walk takes place on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Space is limited. Register for the walks at peterboroughnature.org/events. 

A white oak tree has been planted in Beavermead Park to mark the weeklong event and further enhance tree biodiversity.   

Nature sightings can be uploaded directly to the Great Canadian BioBlitz project page in the iNaturalist app.

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City Council Approves $25,000 Pilot Program to One City PTBO For Street Cleaning Initiative

City Council has approved providing $25,000 to One City Community Development Services to deliver an eight-week Community Stewardship - Clean Streets pilot program cleaning initiative near the One City shelter and downtown areas this fall.

photo courtesy of Peterborough dbia.

The pilot program will be funded through existing waste collection and operations funding.

The City continues to explore approaches to address the impacts of homelessness on neighbourhoods and public spaces while strengthening relationships among people experiencing homelessness, residents, businesses, service organizations and the broader community.

According to the City, the One City Clean Team initiative would create opportunities for individuals facing barriers to traditional employment, including people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, to contribute directly to improving the neighbourhoods and public spaces where they live, spend time and connect with community. Through visible, supervised work, participants would play an active role in creating cleaner, safer, and more welcoming shared spaces while building positive connections with residents, businesses and community organizations.

Staff propose an eight-week pilot in fall 2026, initially focused on the blocks surrounding the Trinity building and the downtown area bounded by Hunter Street, Charlotte Street, Park Street, and Water Street.

The $25,000 investment would seed the program and confirm the stewardship model. Based on the results, Staff would return to Council in early 2027 with recommendations regarding next steps, including opportunities to expand the model into other identified areas of need through financial participation from businesses, community organizations and other partners.

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Business Recycling Collection Delayed For Sept. 2

Recycling collection for businesses on Sept. 2 has been delayed until Thursday due to mechanical issues for Emterra Environmental, announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

According to the City of Peterborough’s Waste Division, businesses can bring in their collection from the curb and have it set back out by 5 a.m. on Thursday.

However, businesses can also leave it out for collection the following day.

Emterra and the City thanks businesses for their understanding on the matter.

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City Council Supports $25,000 Pilot Program to One City PTBO For Street Cleaning Initiative

City Council backs the initiative to provide $25,000 to One City Community Development Services to deliver an eight-week Community Stewardship - Clean Streets pilot program cleaning initiative in the vicinity of the One City shelter and downtown areas this fall.

photo courtesy of Peterborough dbia.

The pilot program will be funded through existing waste collection and operations funding.

An eight-week pilot for this fall was proposed and initially focused on the blocks surrounding the Trinity building and the downtown area bounded by Hunter Street, Charlotte Street, Park Street, and Water Street.

The $25,000 would seed the program and confirm the stewardship model. Based on the results, staff would return to Council early next year with recommendations regarding next steps, including opportunities to expand the model into other identified areas of need through financial participation from businesses, community organizations and other partners.

The City says they will continue to explore approaches to address the impacts of homelessness on neighbourhoods and public spaces while strengthening relationships among people experiencing homelessness, residents, businesses, service organizations and the broader community.

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City Says Residents May Notice Premature Leaf Drop Affecting Norway Maple Trees

The City of Peterborough states that residents may notice Norway maple trees losing their leaves earlier than usual this summer.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

According to City arborists, they are seeing signs of decline and premature leaf drop on Norway maples throughout the community and have received reports of similar conditions across southern Ontario. 

Staff believe the premature leaf drop is largely associated with environmental stress, including the lingering effects of last year's drought and periods of extreme heat this summer. Staff also observed an increase in decline and early leaf drop in Norway maples during the heat wave in July. 

Many affected Norway maples are showing signs of tar spot, a common fungal disease that causes dark spots to develop on maple leaves. While tar spot can affect the appearance of trees and contribute to early leaf drop, it does not typically cause serious or permanent damage to otherwise healthy trees. 

Trees showing signs of stress or losing their leaves early are not necessarily dead or dying. The effects of drought stress can continue beyond the year the drought occurred, and staff are hopeful affected trees will recover and show healthier foliage next year. 

Residents with maple trees affected by tar spot can also help reduce the likelihood of infection the following year by raking and removing fallen leaves.  

The City collects leaf and yard waste weekly on regular collection days until the end of November. Leaves can be placed at the curb in brown paper yard waste bags or approved reusable containers. 

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June 29 Business Recycling Collection Postponed Until Tomorrow

Any business recycling collection has been postponed until Thursday due to mechanical issues from Emterra Environmental.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

According to the City of Peterborough, the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area and Hunter Street in East City have already been collected earlier on Wednesday morning. 

If recycling was not already collected in the morning, it can either be left out until Thursday or be brought back in and set out again before 7 a.m. the following day.

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City Trails and Paths Undergoing Clean Up Next Tuesday

Seasonal maintenance on the City of Peterborough’s multi-use trails and pathways is set to begin next Tuesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The City will be clearing overgrown vegetation from trails and walkways. Specialized equipment will be used to cut back dense vegetation growing alongside trails and walkways. This will help restore the full width of each path and ensure vegetation is cleared two meters from trail edges where possible, to improve visibility, ensure signage is visible and keep paths and trails accessible.

The areas where mechanical brushing is done may look a bit unsightly immediately after the work is completed, with natural debris and freshly cut vegetation. These areas will regenerate and return to a green, natural appearance relatively quickly.

Trail users may experience some delays while work is underway.

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Selwyn Township Lifts Total Burn Ban After Improved Air Quality and Fire Conditions

Effective immediately, the Selwyn Fire Department has lifted its Total Burn Ban issued on Thursday due to hazardous air quality caused by smoke from wildfires in Northern Ontario.

Photo courtesy of Selwyn Township.

According to the Township, improved air quality and fire conditions permit residents to resume open-air burning in accordance with the Township’s Open-Air Burning By-law. All burning must be conducted safely and responsibly and all requirements outlined in the by-law must be followed.

“While conditions have improved, residents are reminded that fire safety remains a shared responsibility,” said Deputy Fire Chief Howard Jinkerson. “Please ensure you are burning in accordance with the Township’s Open-Air Burning By-law, have water or other extinguishing methods available, and never leave a fire unattended. Burning conditions can change quickly, and everyone plays an important role in preventing fires.”

Selwyn Township residents are reminded to:

• Review the Township’s Open-Air Burning By-law before conducting any open-air burn

• Ensure fires are always supervised and fully extinguished when complete

• Only burn permitted materials and follow all required setbacks and safety requirements

• Verify current burning conditions before lighting a fire

Burning conditions can change at any time. Residents must verify current conditions before burning by calling the Selwyn Fire Department at 705-292-7282 or checking the Township of Selwyn’s social media channels.

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