Otonabee Conservation has Issued a Flood Watch for Peterborough and Surrounding Area
/Otonabee Conservation issued a flood watch to Peterborough and surrounding municipalities on Sunday, that will be in effect until Tuesday.
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Peterborough Blogs
Questions and Comments Open for Curtis Creek Improvement Project
/The City of Peterborough is looking to make improvements to Curtis Creek between Tivey Street and Swanston Avenue through a flood reduction and channel naturalization project.
Photo courtesy of ConnectPTBO
The general goals of the project, in accordance with the recommendations set out in the Curtis Creek Flood Reduction Master Plan, are to:
reduce the negative impacts of flooding on properties in the watershed;
naturalize the channel to improve water quality and wildlife habitat;
provide slope stability and erosion control measures; and
improve the open space and pedestrian connections south of Euclid Avenue at Trent Street.
The project plans, additional project information and resources are available on Connect Peterborough, City’s online community engagement hub, at www.connectptbo.ca/curtiscreek. Residents can submit comments and ask questions through the online engagement tool.
Residents who are directly impacted will be consulted on an individual basis as designs are finalized. Local residents, Curve Lake First Nation, Hiawatha First Nation and Otonabee Region Conservation Authority have been approached as part of the ongoing work.
The project team will consider feedback received through Connect Peterborough as it develops the project plan.
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City of Peterborough Teams up with Hellmans Canada to Kick Food Waste to the Curb
/Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of Waste Reduction Week in Canada, the City of Peterborough has announced a new partnership with Hellmann’s Canada in support of food waste awareness.
Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
Over the next three months, half of the City’s waste collection vehicles will be sporting a new look, with a creative message from Hellmann’s on the driver side of the vehicles. The tongue-in-cheek message provides an important educational perspective on food waste:
‘This is Canada’s Most Popular Food Truck. Unfortunately. 58% of Food produced in Canada gets thrown out.’
“Thank you to Hellmann’s for sharing this important message through a sponsorship initiative. Bringing attention to food waste is the first step to changing our behaviours,” said Councillor Gary Baldwin, Chair of the City’s waste management portfolio. “From meal planning, to cooking, to left-overs and composting, we need to be conscious of reducing food waste, and diverting it from the landfill in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
City residents are encouraged to minimize the amount of food waste they place in their regular garbage by participating in the City’s back yard composting program, which provides cost-subsidized composters for sale to local residents at City Hall, 500 George St. N., or at the Household Hazardous Waste Depot, 400 Pido Rd. More information is available on the City’s website at www.peterborough.ca/waste.
“At Hellmann's we believe food is too good to be wasted, so we’re thrilled to partner with the City of Peterborough to help educate Canadians about food waste in this unique way via Canada’s most popular food truck, the garbage truck,” said Kristen Denega, Senior Brand Manager, Hellmann’s Canada. “Canada is one of the worst offenders when it comes to food waste with almost two-thirds of food thrown away still being edible. We hope this partnership encourages City residents and passers by to learn more, either through our website or the City’s, and take action.”
In addition to food waste reduction, the City is also focused on the diversion of food waste from landfill with a new organic waste collection and processing program. Work continues on a new source separated organics food diversion program.
The City of Peterborough GROW (Green Resource Organics Waste) is on target for a Fall 2023 implementation. Residents can learn about the GROW project and the City’s efforts towards Zero Waste at www.peterborough.ca/grow.
Waste Reduction Week in Canada runs from October 18 to 22, 2021. The program focuses on the principles of circular economy, resource efficiency, and waste reduction. Waste Reduction Week celebrates our environmental efforts and achievements while encouraging new innovative ideas and solutions.
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Trent University to Install Energy Efficiency Upgrades
/Trent University is partnering with Ameresco, Inc. to install various energy efficiency upgrades, including an on-site Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on its Peterborough campus.
Photo courtesy of Trent University.
The new system aims to reduce the University’s carbon footprint, while supporting the provincial energy grid.
“This project is an exciting next step in Trent’s ongoing commitment to environmental and sustainable initiatives on campus,” said Tariq Al-Idrissi, acting vice president, Finance and Administration at Trent University. “Our renewed Energy Performance Contract with Ameresco builds on previous energy saving projects such as converting the campus lighting to LEDs, implementing smart ventilation systems and using solar energy to power the new zero-carbon Forensics Crime Scene Facility, the first of its kind in Canada.”
The BESS will store energy overnight, when the provincial grid is producing the lowest cost and lowest carbon energy and use it to power the campus at strategic times when the Ontario system operators typically turn to gas-fired generation to meet atypical high demand for electricity.
Taking this action on campus contributes to Ontario’s Industrial Conservation Initiative and will result in an expected reduction in Global Adjustment fees of over $1 million annually. These savings will fund the BESS installation as well as extensive upgrades to Trent’s electrical infrastructure.
“One of the amazing things about working with customers on projects like these is finding energysaving solutions that work for them and generate significant cost savings in the long run,” said Bob McCullough, president, Ameresco Canada.
The Energy Performance Contract amendment between the University and Ameresco was recently approved by Trent’s Board of Governors, with construction scheduled to commence later in the fall.
Proposed upgrades include the installation of a 2.5MW/5 MWh BESS, the replacement of aging switchgear components and the implementation of a carport canopy photo-voltaic (PV) and electric vehicle (EV) charging station. The PV and EV charging station will complement the newly installed BESS and reduce the University’s greenhouse gas emissions.
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Shoreline Residents Along the Indian River Should Prepare for the Annual Fall Reservoir Drawdown
/Otonabee Conservation has announced that they will be adjusting water levels along the Indian River on or after Monday.
Hope Mill Dam. Photo by Angela O’Grady.
Stop logs will be removed at Hope Mill Dam, Lang Mill Dam and Warsaw Auxiliary Dam.
During operations, shoreline residents can expect water levels to decrease above the dams; water levels and flows will increase below the dams. Water levels and flows will stabilize in the days following operations. In total, water levels will decrease 6 to 12 inches in the reservoirs.
Property owners upstream and downstream from the Hope, Lang, and Warsaw Dams should ensure that all boats, floating docks, etc. are removed from the water before this reservoir drawdown begins.
The Hope, Lang, and Warsaw reservoirs will not be restored to their current water levels until after the Spring freshet, which usually occurs before the May 24 holiday long-weekend.
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Random Acts of Green is Scaring Away Climate Anxiety With HalloGreen Challenge
/Random Acts of Green is inviting the public to make lifestyle ‘s-witches’ and scare away climate change with their HalloGreen Challenge.
Photo courtesy of Random Acts of Green.
The HalloGreen Challenge is designed to help educate the public on different things they can do during the month of October to lessen their individual impact on the environment.
Participants take a pledge, then are challenged to escape the ‘Wicked Green Witch’s Lair’ by completing 15 challenges.
The challenges range in difficulty, from buying fruits and vegetables without plastic to writing a letter about the environment to a politician.
Photo courtesy of Random Acts of Green.
“Kids lead the challenge sometimes, but we have lots of adults and even businesses that want to participate to show their support,” said Jessica Correa, CEO Random Acts of Green.
This year marks the sixth year of the HalloGreen Challenge.
“It’s arguably our most popular challenge of the year,” said Correa. “Everyone has Earth Month which is very popular, but throughout the rest of the year people start forgetting about the planet and HalloGreen brings it back into the forefront.”
Since it’s inauguration in Peterborough, the HalloGreen Challenge has spread to places like Quebec and even Mexico. This year the challenge was translated to French and Spanish.
“These actions are meant to inspire people to start with one thing and then have that one thing spill off into multiple other things that they could be doing to help the environment.”
Random Acts of Green is a social enterprise, that began in Peterborough, with a vision to build a glocal (global + local) climate action community where everyone is empowered to take action together and promote environmental sustainability.
To take the pledge and participate in the HalloGreen Challenge click here.
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Victoria Park Gets Newly Planted Trees To Aid In Urban Forestry in Peterborough
/Nine trees were planted at Victoria Park by Otonabee Conservation to increase the diversity of the urban forest and enhance habitat on Tuesday.
(from left to right) Dan Marinigh from Otonabee Conservation, Kim Zippel Councillor with City of Peterborough, Warden J. Murray Jones from County of Peterborough, City of Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien, County of Peterborough CAO Sheridan Graham, and from U-Haul Kelly Gedge, Nasik Arrafih and Glenn Dee. Tree Canada has planted more than 83 million trees. Photo Courtesy of David Tuan Bui.
The trees planted included red oak, bur oak, sugar maple and white pine which are all native species.
“Victoria Park is a landmark park in the City of Peterborough and is owned by the County of Peterborough,” said J. Murray Jones, Peterborough County warden. “The health of our environment and community is very important, and we are excited to be part of this project.”
“This project will help to secure the health and succession of the urban forest and ensure that new trees are established in the park as the mature trees start to decline,” said Michael Papadacos, City of Peterborough infrastructure manager.
This tree-planting project was funded through Tree Canada and U-Haul.
“As a Tree Canada Gold Level Sponsor, U-Haul is excited for the continued greening of the beautiful Peterborough area and the generations of families here who will enjoy the benefits that these trees bring,” said Antony Grocott, U-Haul Ontario Marketing Company President, “These responsible, forward-thinking projects are only possible through the consideration and generosity of our wonderful customers.”
Tree Canada is the only national non-profit organization dedicated to planting and nurturing trees in rural and urban environments.
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TASSS Students Make Clintonia Park Greener With Tree and Shrub Planting
/Grade 11 students from Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School (TASSS) of the Outdoor Leadership program have made Peterborough a little greener with Otonabee Conservation as they planted shrubs and trees at Clintonia Park on Thursday.
The students planted 64 red osier dogwood, fragrant sumac and potentilla shrubs. In addition, they planted 17 trees including white spruce, hackberry, honey locust, freeman maple and serviceberry.
These native species of trees and shrubs were planted to increase diversity and habitat, protect water quality and stabilize the shoreline along a tributary of Curtis Creek, which runs through the park.
“This project is part of the overall revitalization of Clintonia Park,” said Elana Arthurs, CAO at the Township of Douro-Dummer. “We are excited to work with so many partners to plant trees and shrubs that will benefit wildlife, naturalize the park, and enhance the Donwood area.”
TASSS Student Ella Perritt gathers the used tree-planter pots the shrubs were contained in. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The students said the tree-planting session was a great alternative hands-on learning experience from being in the classroom.
“Stuff like this makes school more enjoyable instead of sitting in the classroom all day,” said Ella Perritt, grade 11 student.
TASSS student Gideon Botting aiding in tearing down the silk fence before planting the shrubs. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Others want to pursue this line of work after graduating from high school.
“I actually want to be doing this in the future as well,” said Gideon Botting, grade 11 student. “I’m hoping to get into being a park warden. I just love being out in nature. It’s where I feel at peace and at home.”
Lilah Hotrum, TASS Grade 11 student, rolls up the silk fence that was taken down by the TASSS students before planting the shrubs and trees. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The Otonabee Conservation has been getting students to plant trees for the last 60 years while focusing more on high school students this year for the Pathway to Stewardship and Kindship program for nurturing healthy and engaged children and youth.
“It’s so important to get students outside,” said Meredith Carter, of Otonabee Conservation. “This way, they get some hands-on experience, they can see it and they can touch it so this is a critical part of the experience and fits in well with the goals of the Outdoor Leadership program.”
Christopher Nadeau-Lavalee, grade 11 student, planting his shrub after digging up hole. Students were given a demo on hole-digging before they went to work. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The fall plantings were a collaboration with funding from Tree Canada, U-Haul, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, Township of Douro-Dummer, students from TASS Outdoor Leadership Program (KPRDSB) and Otonabee Conservation.
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Peterborough Launches Survey to Collect Information on Flooding
/The City of Peterborough has launched a survey to confirm where flooding has been observed, which will help to to evaluate and improve the stormwater system.
Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough
The City is developing an advanced computer model to evaluate its stormwater system that consists of both storm sewers and natural watercourses. With partial funding provided by the Federal Government’s National Disaster Mitigation Program (NDMP), this work will identify areas of flooding and develop mapping applications to easily convey information.
To assist in developing this model, the City is asking residents or business owners to complete a short survey at www.peterborough.ca/floodsurvey. People who do not have access to the internet are invited to call 705-742-7777 ext.1504 to provide input.
This survey will help confirm where flooding has been observed and how it affects the community. The information collected will be used to validate flood predictions. With improved data and analytics, the City can make strategic investments in sewer upgrades and flood reductions works, while developing enhanced emergency response plans.
By understanding where and how flooding has impacted residents in the past the City can plan to reduce future flood damages. Any information provided will be critical to the success of this project and will only be used in the context of this work.
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1,500 Native Trees Planted to Rehabilitate and Restore a Former Gravel Pit in Selwyn Township
/1,500 native tree seedlings were planted this fall as part of the ongoing restoration of a gravel pit in Selwyn Township.
Photo courtesY of otonabee conservation
