Rotary's Super Spring Clean-Up Week Declared April 22-28

Mayor Diane Therrien has declared April 22-28 the 2022 Rotary Super Spring Clean-Up Week in Peterborough and area.

Rotarians at Beavermead Park in previous years. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Rotary.

The three rotary clubs in and around Peterborough are inviting residents to start their own cleaning initiative, or join an existing one.

This year marks the 15th time the Peterborough Rotary Club, Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha, and the Rotary Club of Bridgenorth-Ennismore-Lakefield have come together to organize large community clean-ups in the spring.

Participants will chose an area, be it a trail, a park, a pond or a section of a river and clean up the trash around it.

“You can see the amount of garbage that has collected over the winter in parks, ravines, roadsides, and ditches,” the Rotary club said in a media release. “Plastic in particular is harmful as it breaks down to micro particles and is now found in lakes, rivers, oceans, and even in our ground water.”

This event takes place all over Canada and the united States.

For more information about the Super Spring Clean Up visit superspringcleanup.ca.

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Local Youngster Is On A Mission To Keep His Neighborhood Clean And Hopes Others Will Do The Same

Logan, a local grade two student, has taken it upon himself to clean up the litter in the small part of Peterborough he calls home. He and his mom hope that others may follow suit and clean up their own neighborhood.

“He’s a lover of nature,” said Jennifer, Logans mom. “He always asks me why people throw garbage on the ground. I try to explain to him that some people aren’t very respectful but also that sometimes it just blows out of peoples bins and ends up where it’s not supposed to be.”

Jennifer says he had been asking for a trash picker for a long time, and when she finally bought him one he put it to good use.

The two walked around their local neighborhood and collected a full bag of litter.

“We talked about the safety of it, and making sure we are wearing gloves and being safe about it. Then we went shopping and got his supplies, and off we went to clean up. He was loving it, he told me he could do this all day.”

Part of the reason Logan wanted to clean up is so that litter and recycling didn’t get caught in the beaks and mouths of animals, causing them to be unable to eat.

Jennifer says that Logan has often said it should be everyone’s job to keep the city clean, not just the people that get paid to do it. They plan to do it again as the weather gets warmer.

“We’re all so busy with our kids and putting them in sports and stuff like that, but maybe we should keep them busy with being good people, and doing things for their community. If you’re going to change the world you have to start somewhere.”

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Ashburnham Memorial Stewardship Group Looking For Volunteers To Clean Up Armour Hill

The Ashburnham Memorial Stewardship Group is looking for volunteers to join them on Saturday as they tidy up litter on Armour Hill.

Photo courtesy of The Ashburnham Memorial Stewardship Group.

With the snow now melted, the litter at Armour Hill is fully visible.

Those with The Ashburnham Memorial Stewardship group are looking for volunteers to join them on Saturday at 10 a.m. to clean up the hill.

Organizers note that tobogganing season often leaves behind plenty of litter and broken toboggans that can be harmful to wildlife, especially birds during nesting season.

Volunteers should meet at the basketball court at the base of Armour Hill at 10 a.m. all necessary supplies will be provided.

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City Of Peterborough Begins Street Sweeping Program

The City of Peterborough has started its annual spring street sweeping program, announced on Wednesday, and will continue until May.

Photo courtesy of The City Of Peterborough.

The street sweeping program protects the environment by removing pollutants from road surfaces, reducing urban runoff through the storm water system to downstream water bodies. Street sweeping also improves the cleanliness and aesthetics of City streets and parking lots by removing residual salt and sand used during winter operations.

City street sweepers will clean all 958 lane km of roadway during the months of March to May, as well as all City-owned sidewalks, trails, and parking lots.

Each year, crews start street sweeping at a different area of the City. This year operations started in the City’s west end, followed by the south, east and north ends.

Residents are asked to keep streets clear to improve the overall effectiveness of the street sweeping program. By removing sports nets, placing garbage and recycling containers on the lawn or driveway and not parking on the street, residents can ensure sweeping equipment can reach the full street surface.

When approaching street sweeping vehicles, please proceed with caution and allow for plenty of room for safe operations.

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Trent University Collaborates With Brewery For Carbon-Zero Innovations

Trent University has signed a memorandum of understanding with Karbon Brewing Co. to create greener brewing technologies for a carbon-negative future on Thursday.

Karbon Brewing Company showcased three beers at the signing: One World (wheat beer), J. E. D. I —Justice. Equity. Diversity. Inclusion — (Hazy India Pale Ale) and Helios (lager). Photo by Luke Best.

The goal is to create a carbon-negative brewing style to reduce its impact on the environment while also giving students experiential learning opportunities.

“This unique research collaboration between a university and a brewery will see Trent and Karbon Brewing Co. driving discovery and innovation for brewing sciences,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent vice president of research and innovation. “Brewing chemistry, water conservation, experiential learning and curriculum development are all on the Trent-Karbon horizon. Their approach to green and clean research and development is an excellent match with the expertise and spirit of Trent University.”

Karbon Brewing Co. launched in 2020 and operates out of Junction Brewing in Toronto. They plan to build a 30,000 square-foot research facility and brewpub in Trent’s Cleantech Commons.

Karbon’s mission to ‘create a beer that not only tastes great but helps the planet’ includes reducing its carbon footprint to zero as well as removing additional CO2 from the atmosphere according to Stephen Tyson, Karbon Brewing co-founder. Karbon wants to be the first carbon-negative brewery by 2024.

“By collaborating with Trent University, we plan to lead the green revolution in brewing and we want to spur conversations around climate change,” said Tyson. “In Trent, we have found a like-minded partner that is passionate about developing innovative solutions to climate change.”

Trent’s Cleantech Commons pairs world-class researchers and laboratory facilities with entrepreneurs, business and government partners to accelerate clean, green, low carbon and sustainable technology solutions to address global energy, environmental and climate challenges as stated by the University.

“There's a wonderful fit between Karbon’s perspective on their future and our perspective on our future,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, Trent President. “Trent as a university is very committed to environmental sustainability so there is a real alignment between what we're trying to do more broadly and what they're trying to do as well.”

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Lights Go Out Saturday During Earth Hour

The annual Earth Hour, during which people across the world are encouraged to shut their lights off for one hour, will happen from 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Earth Hour was started in 2007 by the World Wildlife Foundation and is meant to raise awareness about climate change.

Held every year on the last Saturday of March, Earth Hour engages supporters in more than 190 countries and territories, all taking action to ensure a brighter future for people and the planet.

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Otonabee Conservation Chief Administrative Officer Announces Retirement

Otonabee Conservation chief administrative officer and secretary-Treasurer Dan Marinigh has declared retirement effective at the end of July announced Wednesday.

Dan Marinish has been with Otonabee Conservation since 2014. Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

“Dan has been an outstanding CAO for Otonabee Conservation sharing his extensive experience and progressive approach to operational leadership, program development, and project management with the Authority’s board, staff, and the watershed community,” says Ryan Huntley, Otonabee Conservation chair.

Marinigh joined the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority in August 2014 after having worked with the Ministry of Natural Resources, the private sector and other provincial and federal ministries and agencies for over 40 years.

“Over the past eight years, Dan has done an excellent job of administering our provincially mandated responsibilities while expertly navigating changes to the Conservation Authorities Act,” says Andy Mitchell, former chair. “He has demonstrated exemplary leadership throughout his tenure at Otonabee Conservation and has guided the Authority smoothly through the challenging times of the pandemic.”

The Otonabee Conservation Board of Directors is launching recruitment for a new CAO/Secretary-Treasurer with the incumbent commencing summer 2022.

Anyone interested in filling the role can visit otonabeeconservation.com for updates.

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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.

Formerly known as the Peterborough Greenwing Fishing Derby, this year’s event will feature several new elements.

“We have listened to angler feedback from past years, and added two extra days of fishing, early bird registration prizes, goody bags for participants, and sponsored tagged fish with cash prizes for anglers of all ages to win,” said David Ryrie, OFAH Youth Education Manager.

The youth derby begins on April 30, for children 15 and under. It includes 500 tagged Trout for instant prizes, and a chance to win one of four grand prizes. The big fish prize is $1000 cash and will go to whoever catches Walter, a rainbow trout estimated to weigh between 8 and 10 pounds.

The all ages derby runs May 1-8 and for the first time ever will include tagged fish with cash prizes sponsored by local businesses.

“We still have fish in need of a local sponsor that will both challenge anglers and offset the cost of the stocked Trout for the youth derby,” said Ryrie.

Registration is required for all participants.$15 for one child, $10 for siblings, and $25 for adults.

Purchase tickets online at ofah.org/underthelock or in person at Peterborough Canadian Tire locations.

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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.

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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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