33rd Annual OFAH Under the Lock Fishing Derby Is Back After A Two Year Hiatus
/The 33rd Annual OFAH Under the Lock Fishing Derby is back and bigger than ever, after a two year hiatus.
Photo courtesy of OFAH.
Peterborough Blogs
City Of Peterborough A Leader In Waste Management Diverting 53 Per Cent From Landfills In 2020
/Numbers released last month show the City of Peterborough is among the leaders in Ontario for waste diversion from landfill with a diversion rate of 53 per cent. Still, the City is looking for ways it can do better.
Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.
Residents and stakeholders are invited to attend a virtual public meeting on March 1 at 7 p.m. to learn about the City’s review and update of its 2012 Waste Management Master Plan and to give input. To register for the meeting, visit connectptbo.ca/wasteplan2022 or call 705-742-7777 ext. 1724.
Through updating the Plan, the City will consider proven waste diversion programs, policies and strategies that have been implemented successfully in other jurisdictions across Ontario.
Recommendations on waste management activities generated through the review process will go to City Council to consider updates to the City’s Waste Management Master Plan.
Councillor Gary Baldwin, Chair of Council’s Waste Management Portfolio, says he is looking forward to the conversation about how the community can work together to manage and reduce the amount of waste going to the landfill.
“We are in the process of starting city-wide household organic waste collection, that should begin next year. This will be a huge step forward for our community,” Baldwin said. “The Waste Management Master Plan update will take a broader look at how we handle waste management services.”
Waste diversion numbers are released as part of the annual Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority Datacall, Ontario's standardized waste reporting and calculation process. The numbers released on January 13 reflect data for 2020.
Otonabee Conservation Offers Tree Seedling Sales Program
/Otonabee Conservation is encouraging Otonabee Region landowners to enhance their property and mitigate climate change by planting trees from their Tree Seedling Sales Program announced Tuesday.
Meredith Carter, Otonabee Conservation Manager of the Watershed Management Program holds up an example of the bare root seedling stock that can be purchased through the Tree Seedling Sales program at Otonabee Conservation. Photo courtesy of Otonabee Consveration.
“Trees play an important role in maintaining a healthy and resilient natural environment; planting more trees will help provide habitat and mitigate the impacts of climate change,” explains Meredith Carter, Otonabee Conservation Manager of the Watershed Management Program, “Last year, 99 landowners in our watershed purchased and planted over 11,000 trees and shrubs through our Tree Seedling Sales Program. This will translate to approximately, 2.5 million kilograms of sequestered Carbon over the lifetime of these trees”
Landowners can choose from a variety of coniferous and deciduous trees and wildlife shrubs including White Pine, Eastern White Cedar, Red Oak, Sugar Maple, Highbush Cranberry and Buttonbush. Unique species such as Tulip Tree, Bitternut Hickory and Serviceberry are also available. The minimum order is 25 seedlings of a selected species.
“Trees and forests also protect water quality in our rivers and streams,” said Carter, “They provide habitat for birds and other wildlife, and they add to the health of our communities by purifying the air and enhancing the environment that surrounds us.”
Orders can be submitted online for pickup in spring 2022, with an order deadline of March 20. Demand for tree seedlings has been high over the past two years according to Otonobee Conservation as they encourage anyone to order as soon as possible for the best selection of species and quantities.
Otonabee Conservation expects the seedlings to arrive at the Conservation Authority office in early May, at which time landowners will be notified and curbside pick-up times will be scheduled.
Details about the Otonabee Conservation Tree Seedling Sales Program, including helpful tips about planting and caring for young seedlings, choosing the right trees for your land, and the online ordering system are available at otonabeeconservation.com/programs/tree-planting.
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City To Host Virtual Open House Regarding Harper Creek Subwatershed Study
/The City of Peterborough will host a virtual public open house on Jan. 18 at 4:30 p.m. to provide information about the Harper Creek Subwatershed Study.
Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.
The Harper Creek subwatershed is located in southwest Peterborough. Harper Creek Wetland and Harper Park are one of Peterborough’s largest, naturally vegetated and heavily treed areas.
The Subwatershed Study will identify and characterize the water resource system, including the natural heritage features, functions, and cultural values of the Harper Creek subwatershed. The Study will ultimately recommend a land use plan and detailed management strategy to satisfy local and provincial policy.
Members of the public who are interested in participating in the open house are asked to register in advance.
Registration can be completed online on the Connect Peterborough website at www.connectptbo.ca/HarperCreek, or by phone at 705-742-7777 ext. 1504.
Registrants will be emailed a link and access code to join the meeting online. Those who cannot join online will be provided a telephone number to join by phone.
A survey for residents to provide input and background information for the study team is available on the project page at www.connectptbo.ca/HarperCreek. Residents can also subscribe for project updates on the page. A recording of the public open house will be posted following the meeting.
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Discarding Of Your Christmas Tree In Peterborough County
/Curbside pick-up of Christmas trees in the City of Peterborough begins on Tuesday, while surrounding townships have different methods of disposal.
Peterborough
Residents of Peterborough are asked to leave their real, unwrapped, un-decorated trees in a visible area on the curb throughout January. There is no need to call for pick up.
Selwyn
Trees can be dropped off at 1275 County Road 24 (Centre line Smith) during daylight hours.
Douro
Trees can be dropped off at 713 County Road 4 during daylight hours.
Buckhorn
Trees can be dropped off at 2467 County Road 36 during daylight hours.
Havelock
Trees can be dropped off at 649 County Road 46 during daylight hours.
Millbrook
Trees can be dropped off at 1111 County Road 10 during daylight hours.
It is asked that all trees must have decorations and lights removed. Artificial trees will not be accepted.
The Christmas Tree Farmers of Ontario suggest placing real Christmas trees in a backyard or garden, where it will provide winter shelter for birds.
They also suggest ‘decorating’ the tree with treats for birds and other wildlife such as orange slices, peanut butter spread on seed cones, or suet balls stuffed with sunflower seeds.
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Curbside Christmas Tree Pickup Begins Next Week
/Curbside collection of Christmas trees in Peterborough will begin on Tuesday, January 4, 2022.
Those wishing to dispose of Christmas trees can leave them on the curb after Jan. 3.
Trees must be visible to collectors, and not have any decorations left on them.
Once the trees are collected they will be composted, so do not place them in a plastic bag.
Pick up will last the month of January, weather permitting. Residents do not need to call for pick up.
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Your Metres Matter Fundraising Campaign Raises Over $10,000 In The First Week To Help Revitalize The Jackson Creek Trail
/In just over one week since launching the Your Metres Matter fundraising campaign, the community has raised $10,600 to help revitalize the Jackson Creek Trail in the heart of Peterborough.
The Your Metres Matter campaign is raising funds to resurface and repair points of erosion on the Jackson Creek Trail so that it continues to be accessible and safe for all trail users. Each $50 donation helps to revitalize one metre of trail.
“More than ever, people are accessing trails to get exercise, boost their mental health, relieve stress, and spend quality time with family,” said Dan Marinigh, CAO at Otonabee Conservation, “During the pandemic, the trail is seeing an increase in use as many residents seek the calm of nature nearby, and have taken up hobbies like birdwatching, hiking, dog walking, biking, and cross-country skiing. The trail is in need of repairs to restore its longevity.”
The Your Metres Matter Community Challenge also launched last week; it encourages groups to raise funds and challenge each other in a friendly community competition.
So far, Runner’s Life, Peterborough Nordic Club, Wild Rock Outfitters, and the board and staff at Otonabee Conservation have taken the challenge, already collectively helping to raise $6,500 for the campaign, which translates to 130 metres of trail.
“We are so grateful for the support we are receiving, and especially from the groups and community members who regularly utilize the trail,” said Marinigh. “The response we are having with this friendly community competition unites us with a common goal to care for and revitalize a trail we all love.”
Each $50+ donation to the Your Metres Matter campaign will receive a charitable tax receipt, photo card, sticker, and a commemorative Jackson Creek Trail badge to wear proudly while visiting the trail. A donation of $500+ dollars (or 10+ metres of trail) will be recognized on a new trailhead sign to be placed along the Trail.
“While we have raised $10,600 in just over one week of the campaign, we still have a ways to go,” said Marinigh, “As of December 8, we have raised enough to repair 211 metres of trail; the Jackson Creek Trail is 4,500 metres long so we encourage more groups to join our Community Challenge and more trail enthusiasts to consider a donation or a gift to the trail lover on their holiday list this year.”
To make a donation, track progress of the campaign, learn more about the Your Metres Matter campaign or the Community Challenge visit otonabeeconservation.com.
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Flood Watch Issued For Peterborough And Surrounding Areas
/Otonabee Conservation issued a flood watch on Friday for all bodies of water in the Otonabee Region watershed.
File Photo.
Affected areas include municipalities of Selwyn, Douro-Dummer, Asphodel-Norwood, Otonabee-South Monaghan, Cavan Monaghan, City of Kawartha Lakes, City of Peterborough and Trent Hills.
A strong cold front will make its way into Southern Ontario Friday, bringing warmer temperatures, rain and strong winds.
Temperatures will be above normal for this time of year with a high of 6 degrees C Friday and up to 13 degrees C on Saturday before dropping below zero Saturday night. Friday afternoon could see rainfall in the amounts of 10 to 15mm with an additional 10 to 20mm possible on Saturday.
With frozen ground conditions, the expected rainfall and potential heavy downpours, combined with warm temperatures and melting snow may cause minor flooding in low-lying areas.
As a minimum, water pooling on roads and in low-lying areas and higher than normal water levels and flows can be expected, especially in the vicinity of culverts and bridges. Higher than normal water levels and flows will continue throughout the weekend as the expected rainfall and snow melt flushes through our waterways.
Residents are advised to be extremely cautious around all local lakes, rivers, streams, and creeks because shorelines/riverbanks will be slippery and could be undercut, and currents will be strong. Road-side ditches, wetlands and other low-lying areas may experience unsafe ponding conditions. Dams and other water control/water conveyance structures are especially dangerous and should always be avoided.
This flood watch will expire Tuesday Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. unless otherwise stated.
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Random Acts Of Green Is Hoping For An Eco-Friendly Holiday With Their JollyGreen Holiday Challenge
/The JollyGreen Holiday Eco-Challenge hosted by Random Acts of Green is hoping to encourage people to switch to more eco-friendly habits during the holidays this year.
According to Zero Waste Canada, globally during the holiday season, waste levels increase by 25-30 per cent. With all the wrapping paper, packaging, cards, glitter, decorations, and food waste, the planet desperately needs people to rethink these wasteful traditions.
“The holiday season is full of light, joy, and cheer. But it also has a dark environmental side that no one really seems to be talking about,” said Jessica Correa, CEO, Random Acts of Green. “It doesn’t have to be like this, though. We can all act together to change wasteful traditions and rituals in favour of new ones that are less harmful to our shared home.”
Citizens, families, school boards, classrooms, and businesses are being encouraged to take the virtual JollyGreen™ Challenge during the month of December. The challenge builds awareness about things we can do for the planet this holiday season.
The challenge encourages participants to perform tasks like using a reusable mug for Christmas drinks like hot chocolate, shopping locally, and using eco-friendly de-icers when needed.
Pledge to participate in JollyGreen here to receive a pledge badge to share on socials and get green tips along the way.
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Selwyn Township Achieves Top Distinction in National Climate Protection Program
/Selwyn Township has achieved Milestone 5 of the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program. PCP is a network of Canadian municipal governments that have committed to reducing GHG emissions and protecting our climate.
Photo courtesy of Peterborough ED.
