GreenUP Replants Native Trees at Ecology Park to Restore Urban Canopy

GreenUP and several volunteers are sprucing up their Ecology Park as they restored their tree canopy along the Trans Canada Trail on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon.

Mayve Macfarlane (left), Kary MacMillan (middle) and Simon Dadds (right) toss compost on one of 12 full-size specimen trees. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Twelve large specimen trees and two large shrubs were planted. The previous trees had to be replaced due to severe weather in recent years and the presence of invasive pests.

The trees planted include Black Walnut, American Mountain Ash, Cucumber Magnolia, Eastern Redbud, and Pawpaw trees. Educational signage accompanies the trees to highlight their significance and 140 trees are being planted this fall, according to Tegan Moss, GreenUP executive director.

“Restoring the canopy is about more than trees, it’s about strengthening our connection to the land and investing in our community’s future,” she said.

@ptbo_canada GreenUP and several volunteers are sprucing up their Ecology Park as they restored their tree canopy along the Trans Canada Trail. #ptbocanada #ptbo #peterborough #journalism #journalist #news #fyp #environment #treeplanting #treeplantingtok ♬ Plant a tree - Andre Marteen

The work was funded by an $8,000 Planting for Tomorrow grant which an anonymous donor also matched.

“We are grateful to the Trans Canada Trail and to all of our donors, for their support in protecting native biodiversity,” said Moss.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Students Make a Splash At Peterborough Children's Water Festival

The Peterborough Children’s Water Festival (PCWF) saw students in Grades 2-5 participating in more than 35 interactive learning centres designed for children to explore concepts of water conservation at the Riverview Park and Zoo.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The two-day event saw over 700 students on both days. There were 67 classes from over 29 schools that participated in the event.
 
“Pipe Patrol is a new activity centre offering a unique and engaging learning experience. Kids will dive into the fascinating world of urban infrastructure and discover how sewers are maintained,” said Patricia Skopelianos, Chair of the PCWF Organizing Committee. “They'll learn all about how the city is using cutting-edge CCTV cameras for inspection and powerful vacuum trucks for cleaning. It's a great way to foster an early understanding of essential community services and environmental responsibility.”
 
The PCWF is one of 25 water festivals taking place across the province this year. Since 2001, it has reached more than 31,000 elementary students and 6,500 teachers and parent helpers from across Peterborough City and County according to Skopelianos.
 
”We are very fortunate to once again have tremendous community support for this year’s Peterborough Children's Water Festival. Although local businesses and individuals have always made generous financial contributions, over 10 new supporters have come on board this year to help us make an impact,” she explained. “Our community helps make this Festival happen for so many classes across the region and offers this experiential opportunity to 140 high school volunteers.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough GreenUP Downtown Retail Space to Close in New Year

GreenUP (also known as GreenUP Store and Resource Centre) is closing its downtown retail space in the new year.

File Photo.

“Ensuring sustained financial viability to achieve our mission is one of our key strategic priorities, and unfortunately our downtown retail store no longer serves GreenUP in the way we need it to,” said Tegan Moss, GreenUP executive director. “This will create room for us to focus on fostering awareness in other areas, changing mindsets, and advancing sustainability through our programs.”
 
The store will be open regular hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday until Dec. 21.

There will be a clearance sale of any remaining stock during regular operating hours from Jan. 7 to 17.

GreenUP gift certificates will continue to be honoured at GreenUP Ecology Park, however if a certificate holder wishes to use it at the store, they are encouraged to bring it in for their holiday shopping. All proceeds from the store continue to directly support GreenUPs’s climate work in the community.
 
“While the closure feels like a loss, the widespread availability of sustainable products that were once very hard to find is a win. This is a sign of progress we’re proud to have supported,” said Moss. “We are grateful for the store’s impact and the support it drew from the community,” says Moss. “It was our privilege to connect you with sustainable products, and we look forward to working with you in new ways to deepen personal climate action.” 

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

One City and GreenUP Get Planting at the Trinity Centre As Part of Green Infrastructure Initiative

GreenUP and One City Peterborough helped Trinity Centre become more in tune with nature by planting trees and other greenery over 75 sq.m. of lawn Tuesday morning.

Volunteers Eila Buziak (left) and Quentin Day (right) finish the planting of a pear tree as one of several species to occupy the Trinity Centre. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The project at One City is part of the Living Cities Program, an initiative by Green Communities Canada to help organizations aid their respective communities in green infrastructure projects.

The green infrastructure will increase the biodiversity of plants on the site, improve stormwater management, and increase access to food according to Tegan Moss, GreenUP executive director.

“We are grateful to receive support from Green Communities Canada through the Living Cities Fund,” she said. “These funds allow us to work closely with equity-deserving communities to co-develop plans for green infrastructure that work for the community where they are planted.”

Moss adds that the green infrastructure will help to improve air quality and offer the opportunity for people to work together to build a stronger sense of community and belonging as they collectively care for the plants.

Volunteers moved soil, compost and mulch. They planted 20 trees which included apple, pear, peach, apricot, birch, black cherry and maple. Six currant and raspberry bushes were installed, as well as 94 other plants including New England aster, silverweed, swamp milkweed, switchgrass, brown fox sedge, blue flag iris, wild strawberry, yarrow, prairie smoke, and creeping thyme.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Hometown PTBO: GreenUP's Tegan Moss Named to the Pathway of Fame and Her Environmental Impact on Peterborough

This week on Hometown PTBO, David Tuan Bui talks with GreenUp executive director Tegan Moss about her induction into this year's Peterborough Pathway of Fame, her environmental journey and how she made our City a little greener.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Shifting Gears Program Invites Peterborough to Adopt Active and Sustainable Transportation In Its 20th Year

As Shifting Gears celebrates its 20th anniversary, the challenge invites community members and workplaces to use active and sustainable travel modes and track their trips throughout May.

Photo courtesy of GreenUp.

Participants can join the challenge individually or as a team. Workshops, prizes, one-on-one commuter consultations and more are available during the challenge. Workplaces are also eligible for awards this year, not to mention which comes with bragging rights.

Last year, 61,538 kilometres were traveled by walking, cycling, taking transit, carpooling, and telecommuting. This resulted in a total greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 7,130 kg according to a press release.
 
In addition, Shifting Gears is proud to empower sustainable commuters to adopt healthier lifestyles. In 2023, 48 per cent of participants reported that they did not regularly use active travel modes before the Challenge, and 88 per cent of participants recorded maintaining new active transportation habits through September.
 
Workplaces that register for the Shifting Gears May Challenge receive support for making their business more bike-friendly. Free resources help workplace champions rally their staff to track trips to win workplace awards. Individuals can track their weekly trips for all five weeks in May to be entered to win prizes.
 
“The Shifting Gears May Challenge has become a springtime staple in Peterborough, providing the community a chance to meet, learn and grow together towards a sustainable transportation future,” said Lindsay Stroud, TDM Planner at the City of Peterborough. “Working closely with workplaces, schools and the community at large each spring builds knowledge and comfort for individuals trying new ways of travelling around town for their daily trips.”
 
To register, interested participants are encouraged to visit https://www.greenup.on.ca/program/shifting-gears/, contact Ashley at Ashley.burnie@greenup.on.ca or, check out our events at https://www.greenup.on.ca/events/.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

City of Peterborough's Rain Garden Subsidy Program Open For Fifth Year

The City of Peterborough’s Rain Garden Subsidy Program, in partnership with GreenUP, is launching its fifth year that provides eligible property owners with educational resources and up to $1,000 toward the cost of installing a rain garden.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF PETERBOROUGH.

“Currently, only 25 per cent of Peterborough’s stormwater is filtered for pollutants before entering natural waterways, such as the Otonabee River or Jackson Creek,” said Curtis Mei, City’s stormwater systems coordinator. “Rain gardens are an important part of a greener stormwater management strategy. Rain gardens reduce the amount of polluted runoff entering local waterways, which keeps the watershed healthy and can also reduce the risk of localized urban flooding.”

Rain gardens must be designed and located in a particular way to function properly. This subsidy process provides support for property owners, including design templates, educational resources, and on-site consultation from GreenUP staff.

“We know folks can be intimidated by the idea of designing and building their own rain garden, but it’s doable with a bit of support,” explained Laura Keresztesi, GreenUP coordinator with Neighbourhood and Residential programs. “That’s why GreenUP has partnered with the City to support this subsidy program. We help applicants through the process, step-by-step.”

This year, the maximum subsidy amount is $1,000 per garden, and GreenUP provides up to two on-site visits to advise on design and construction.

“The number of subsidies is limited and are awarded on a first come, first serve basis,” explained Keresztesi. “We encourage you to reach out as soon as possible.”

Interested property owners, organizations and businesses can learn more and begin the application process online at peterborough.ca/RainGarden.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

RBC Donates $20,000 to Jumpstart Local Net Zero Farms Pilot Project

RBC has donated $20,000 to Net Zero Farms for a new pilot project that will assist farmers in incorporating sustainable practices into their operations at Woodleigh Farms on Thursday afternoon.

Representatives from RBC cut the ribbon to represent the launch of the Net Zero Farms Pilot Project alongside non-profits GreenUP and Farms at Work. Pictured from left to right:  RBC Community Manager Karalee Murray, Green Economy Peterborough Net Zero Farms Program Coordinator Natasha Sheward, GreenUP Director of Programs Natalie Stephenson, GreenUP Executive Director Tegan Moss, Green Economy Peterborough Hub Coordinator Jackie Donaldson, RBC Relationship Manager for Business Markets Deanna Baker, Farms at Work Executive Director Heather Ray, RBC Relationship Manager for Agriculture & Agri-Business Specialist Scott McCaig. Photo courtesy of GreenUp.

The program coaches business leaders in the agriculture sector to measure their greenhouse gas emissions, set reduction targets, further understand their role in sequestering carbon and develop a plan for reducing their impact on the environment, all while sharing experiences and the greater community according to a press release.
 
“We know farmers like to learn from farmers. We’re thrilled to be developing this networking piece to help support their sustainable practices, and to develop a culture where farmers don’t feel alone in their efforts to become more environmentally friendly,” says Heather Ray, Farms at Work executive director. “Farm-to-farm engagement and mentoring is essential for an agricultural business looking to adapt to a changing climate.”
 
The Net Zero Farms pilot seeks to support up to 10 farms in their efforts to take climate action while building local capacity within the greater agricultural community, as stated by GreenUp.
  
“Measuring greenhouse gas sources in agriculture is different from measuring the emissions of a downtown retail store,” says Natasha Sheward, Net Zero Farms program coordinator. “We want to include all of the relevant aspects of this sector within our GHG measurement in order to ensure relevance and accuracy. This will provide insight and opportunity for our farmers to identify actions that will reduce their costs and increase their resilience.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

GreenUp Kicks Off Inaugural Summer Ride Club With Passport Challenge

Peterborough got a unique biking experience to kick off the inaugural GreenUP’s Summer Ride Club to offer cyclers a ride club passport challenge at Quaker Foods City Square on Thursday.

Going over the bumps proves to be no problem for Marcel Hannah, 9, as he was one of the first kids to trying out the cycling course at the rear of the park. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The event marked the beginning of summer vacation for many Peterborough and Kawartha students. The event sent students of all ages cycling into summer challenges with a cycling festival, prize draws, events and more.

A ride club passport was available at the event’s launch that features nine weeks of ride challenges for nine weeks of summer. Throughout the nine weeks, participants will use their passports to plan routes, learn bike safety and explore different avenues of the city.

“It could be a beach, it could be a splash pad, close to your house, far away from your house,” said Ashley Burnie, GreenUp active transportation program coordinator. “The adventure is up to you, This will help encourage you to do fun cycling things all summer long.”

Pop-up events, an online community and submitting the passport at the end of the program give a chance to win prizes. Participants can pick up a passport anytime from GreenUP and B!KE: The Community Bike Shop.

The cycling fun fair featured amenities such as bike checks from B!KE: The Community Bike Shop, Wild Rock and Fontaine, pick up cycling community resources from the City of Peterborough and the Peterborough Bicycling Advisory Committee (PBAC) and two interactive bike playgrounds. Entertainment from local theatrics professional Tim Holland, a chance to create bike buttons with the Peterborough Library and sign up for the Summer Ride Club community from GreenUP were present at the event to keep maintain children’s interest in cycling.

“It's always hard to get our kids moving over the summer. It can be easy to fall out of routine,” said Burnie. “Say you've been cycling to school all school year long, it helps maintain that routine so in September, you're ready to go. You've been biking, you have more skills and because of that, you're more confident in cycling.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

City of Peterborough’s Rain Garden Subsidy Program Providing Resources and Funds for Local Garden Installation

The City of Peterborough’s Rain Garden Subsidy Program, delivered in partnership with GreenUP, provides eligible property owners with educational resources and up to $1,000 toward the cost of installing a rain garden.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

“Currently, only 25 per cent of the City of Peterborough’s stormwater is filtered for pollutants before entering natural waterways, such as the Otonabee River or Jackson Creek,” says Councillor Joy Lachica, chair of the City of Peterborough Environment and Climate Change Portfolio. “Rain gardens are an important part of a greener stormwater management strategy by reducing the amount of polluted runoff entering local waterways, which keeps the watershed healthy and can also reduce the risk of localized urban flooding.”

There are many options for tailoring the size and style of a rain garden, but they all function the same due to their bowl shape. This bowl shape collects water from roofs and other hard surfaces. These gardens use plants and fast-draining soil to absorb and filter water that would otherwise flow straight into storm sewers.

To function properly, rain gardens must be designed and located in a particular way. That’s why this subsidy process provides support for property owners, including design templates, educational resources and on-site consultation from GreenUP staff.

“We know folks can be intimidated by the idea of designing and building their own rain garden, but it’s doable with a bit of support,” says Hayley Goodchild, coordinator with GreenUP’s Neighbourhood and Residential programs. “That’s why GreenUP has partnered with the City to support this subsidy program. We help applicants through the process, step-by-step.”

This year, the maximum subsidy amount is $1,000 per garden, and GreenUP  provides up to two on-site visits to advise on design and construction.

Goodchild says the number of subsidies is limited and are awarded on a first come, first serve basis.

Interested property owners can begin their application process using the link, or by contacting Curtis Mei at 705-742-7777 ext. 1507.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.