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.”

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Rotary Club of Peterborough Funds Environmental Innovator Projects

The Rotary Club of Peterborough awarded five environmental innovators with funding through its Rotary Environmental Innovators Fund (REIF) for proposed local projects at the McDonnel Activity Centre on Monday afternoon.

In its third year, REIF has already awarded more than $20 thousand dollars. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding is for projects designed by environmental entrepreneurs that advance local environmental innovators working in biodiversity, water and wastewater technologies, climate change, sustainable living, pollution, waste disposal and more.

The following were the funding recipients:

$3,000 Top Awards:

• Wildrock Outfitters / Kawartha Land Trust – Native Plant Horticulture for Invasive Species Control

• Woodleigh Farms – Catching Carbon

• Clean Energy Generation – Sanostrategy Wind Turbine Installation

$1,000 Runner-Up Awards:

• Taproots for Tomorrow – Carbon-Positive Air-Prune Beds

• Second Nature Studio – Plastic Waste to Purpose

This year’s REIF committee has received 16 applications for local projects.

The applications are judged based on how they might impact the local climate and environment, how innovative the project is compared to existing solutions, the project's practicality, expected benefits and how the funds would be used.

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Otonabee Conservation Releases 2024 Annual Report

Otonabee Conservation released its 2024 Annual Report to the Watershed Community at its board meeting on April 17, announced on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

The report is an interactive, web-based story map featuring maps and videos highlighting last year’s accomplishments.

“This report highlights the power of collaboration—celebrating the shared accomplishments of our eight member municipalities, dedicated community organizations, staff, and the Board of Directors as we work together to protect and enhance the Otonabee Region watershed,” said Michael Metcalf, Otonabee Conservation Board of Directors Chair.

Highlights from 2024 include:

• 910 trees and shrubs by 180 volunteers at 3 locations in the watershed

• 427 daily canoe and kayak rentals in 2024 - 1,961 hours of paddling

• 31,505 campers were hosted in our three campgrounds in 2024 and hosted 22,815 day-use visitors at Warsaw Caves Conservation Areas

• 16 Flood Forecasting and Warning watershed safety messages were issued but did not issue any low water messages

• 850 hours were spent engineering new models and finalizing new floodplain mapping in 2024, including for Byersville Creek and Jackson Creek

• Two anniversaries for our Conservation Areas were celebrated last year, 30 years for Hardold Town and 60 Years for Warsaw Caves

“Otonabee Conservation’s 2024 Annual Report highlights the year’s accomplishments as we continue to address the impacts of climate change and foster collaboration to build a safer, more resilient watershed for everyone,” said Janette Loveys Smith, Otonabee Conservation CAO.

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City of Peterborough Recognizing Provincial Day of Action On Litter Tuesday

The City of Peterborough is celebrating the Provincial Day of Action on Litter on Tuesday.

So far this year, the City has supported 26 community cleanup events. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Observed on the second Tuesday of May each year, the initiative aims to reduce the amount of waste going into landfills or becoming litter by raising awareness of waste's impact on the environment.  

Ways to help reduce litter include:  

• Reducing waste by using items or purchasing second-hand items 

• Diverting waste from landfills by recycling or composting materials when and where possible    

• Preventing waste and litter before it is created by choosing to buy goods with less packaging or by bringing a reusable container to take-out establishments that accept them 

• Properly disposing of waste by making sure anything that does belong in the trash is securely placed in garbage bins to help keep neighbourhoods clean 

Groups can request a litter cleanup kit from the City of Peterborough’s Public Works department to assist in cleanup efforts. Litter cleanup kits can be obtained online.

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City of Peterborough Launches Home Retrofit Loan Program

The City of Peterborough has launched a new financing program for its residents, aimed at helping homeowners lower their energy bills, improve home comfort and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Better Homes Peterborough is a four-year retrofit program offering low-interest financing, targeted incentives and personalized support to help homeowners navigate complex retrofits according to the City.

“Residential buildings contribute almost 40 per cent of local greenhouse gas emissions. Retrofitting your home is not just an investment in your house, but an investment in the collective future of our residents and our city,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “By taking individual steps to reduce our emissions we can help the city hit its target of net-zero by 2050. Better Homes Peterborough is a key part of that effort.”

“Programs like Better Homes Peterborough demonstrate how municipalities, financial institutions, and delivery partners can work together to remove barriers to deep energy retrofits,” said Melanie Johnston, EnviroCentre director of energy programs.

Upgrades can include insulation, windows, doors, heat pumps, air sealing, solar panels and battery storage, high-efficiency water heaters, lighting, EV chargers, and electrical upgrades. Homeowners can use up to 30 per cent of their retrofit loan for cosmetic or non-energy-related upgrades.

“We know from experience that navigating energy rebate programs is challenging and the coaching that this new program will provide is critical to helping homeowners make their homes more comfortable and efficient,” Tegan Moss, GreenUP executive director, “We look forward to working with partners and participants to ensure that Better Homes Peterborough helps reduce emissions in our region.”

The City says improving a home’s energy efficiency can also help boost resiliency to extreme weather events.

The program is available to city residents who own detached or semi-detached houses, townhouses or small multi-unit buildings up to three storeys high.

Two financing options are available for residents - a Local Improvement Charge (LIC) Loan through the City of Peterborough or a personal loan through Kawartha Credit Union.

“We are proud to partner with the City of Peterborough on Better Homes Peterborough, which reflects our dedication to sustainability and to helping community members achieve their home improvement goals,” Norah McCarthy, Kawartha Credit Union  President and CEO.” We’re actively reducing our carbon footprint by choosing 100 per cent renewable energy, and we believe in empowering homeowners in our communities to embrace a greener future for all.”

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PRHC Surgical Department Launches "Bring Your Own Bag” Program For Plastic Use Reduction

With April as Earth Month, Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s (PRHC) Surgical Department is launching a Bring Your Own Bag program starting June 1, to reduce the use of plastic at the hospital and keep more plastic out of landfills, announced on Wednesday.

File photo.

According to PRHC, when patients arrive for planned surgeries and other procedures, they are provided with a plastic bag to store their clothing and personal belongings for a few hours while at the hospital. The surgical department distributes as many as 24,000 bags to patients annually. The initiative plans to reduce that number by at least 20 per cent in 2025/26.

The initiative is part of the ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP). According to Dr. Lynn Mikula, PRHC president and CEO, the organization is pursuing this sustainability initiative as part of its ongoing efforts to improve the care and service it provides.

“We have set out a path to strengthen our focus on environmental stewardship over the next several years, and this initiative is just one of many opportunities we are pursuing at PRHC to improve sustainability and reduce our environmental impact,” she said. “Last month, for example, we made the switch to a biodegradable nitrile glove product across the hospital. You can look forward to hearing more about these and other important improvement projects as we continue to make progress in this area.”

PRHC adopted the new PRIMED Sustain nitrile gloves last month. They offer the same protection and achieve 81% biodegradability in 490 days. As an added bonus, PRIMED is a 100% Canadian-owned and operated business.

Plastic bags will continue to be provided for patients who cannot bring their own including those who come to the hospital unexpectedly for urgent procedures but encourage those who can to do so.

The hospital recommends that patients bring two empty, grocery-sized reusable bags big enough to store everything they wear to the hospital on the day of their procedure. (The second bag is recommended to store shoes and outerwear separately.)

PRHC reminds patients to bring only essential items and to avoid bringing valuables, including jewelry, credit cards, and large amounts of money, when coming for a procedure.

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Spring Cleanup Underway Throughout City of Peterborough

With the melting snow uncovering litter in City parks and along streets and sidewalks, spring cleanup is underway throughout the City of Peterborough.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

With the volume of litter, the City expects the cleanup effort to extend over the next few weeks.

Public Works will use street sweeping machines on routes throughout the City to clean the grit and dirt that accumulates on streets over the winter.

The City maintains 388 garbage bins spanning over 100 parks and along the City’s trail system year-round. In 2024, crews collected just over 333 tonnes of garbage from those receptacles, a 41 per cent increase over 2023 according to the City.

They also maintains 325 garbage bins along City streets and outside City buildings.

Last year, Public Works crews collected 80 tonnes of illegally dumped waste, this includes large items and garbage bags full of waste, five tonnes of litter that includes smaller items such as wrappers, bottles, and coffee cups. Clean Up Peterborough, a volunteer group which organized several litter clean-ups last year collected more than 50,000 cigarette butts from City streets, roads, trails and paths.

Litter composition was made up of:

• 34 per cent recyclables (bottles, bags, food packaging, etc.)

• 32 per cent cigarette butts or other smoking paraphernalia (vapes, etc.)

• 25 per cent organics (food waste)

• 5 per cent textiles (clothes, towels, etc.)

• 4 per cent hazardous waste (pet waste, sharp objects, etc.)

Litter can harm local wildlife and pollute waterways; accumulated litter can attract pests.

Residents are encouraged to do their part by disposing of waste in appropriate receptacles.

Crews regularly maintain the City’s 713 garbage receptacles; however, if a garbage receptacle is complete, residents can report it using its online reporting portal.

The City also implements a street sweeping program to protect the environment by removing pollutants from road surfaces and reducing urban runoff through the stormwater 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 and all City-owned sidewalks, trails and parking lots between March and May once temperatures are continuously above freezing. Many areas receive a secondary sweep as required based on the amount of residue on the surface. The City says work typically takes seven weeks to complete, depending on weather conditions.

Each year, crews start street sweeping in a different area of the City. This year, crews are starting in the downtown core.

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

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

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Otonabee Conservation Launches 2025 Seedling Program Encouraging Property Enhancement With Trees For Landowners

Otonabee Conservation has launched its 2025 Seedling Program, encouraging landowners in the Otonabee Region Watershed to plant and grow trees to enhance their property and mitigate climate change.

MEREDITH CARTER, MANAGER OF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS AT OTONABEE CONSERVATION, HOLDS A BARE ROOT TREE THAT WAS ONE OF 4,500 TREES PLANTED AT A WATERSHED RESIDENT’S PROPERTY IN OTONABEE SOUTH MONAGHAN TOWNSHIP in the fall of 2020. PHOTO COURTESY of OTONABEE CONSERVATION

“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,” said Meredith Carter, Otonabee Conservation Watershed Management Program manager. “Last year, nearly 100 landowners in our watershed purchased and planted 9200 trees and shrubs through our Tree Seedling Sales Program. This will translate to approximately the production 106,000 kg of oxygen.

The Conservation offers various coniferous and deciduous trees and wildlife shrubs, including White Pine, Eastern White Cedar, Red Oak, Sugar Maple, Highbush Cranberry, Buttonbush, Serviceberry and Tamarack. The minimum order is 25 seedlings per species.

“Trees and forests also protect water quality in our rivers and streams,” said Carter, “They provide essential habitat for birds and wildlife, contribute to environmental and human health and mitigate climate change impacts in our watershed.”

Pickups are scheduled for this spring with an order deadline of Feb. 24 at 4 p.m.

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City of Peterborough to Remove Ash Trees Three Sites Starting Monday

The City of Peterborough is removing roughly 150 dead and/or dying ash trees from three separate locations beginning Monday.

In 2024, the City planted 1,000 trees as part of the City’s Urban Forest Strategic Plan. Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The removal is occurring in wooded lots lining residential areas near Eldon Court and Cunningham Boulevard, along the south side of Farmcrest Avenue and Willowcreek Boulevard.

The trees being removed are infested with Emerald Ash Borer and pose a potential risk of harm to residents and private property. Once the trees are removed, woody material, including the trunk, limbs and brush, will be left on site to decompose naturally. The City says this adds organics to the site and encourages wildlife habitat.

Removing these trees is part of the good forestry practices required to maintain and enhance the City’s urban canopy as part of the Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan.

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Flood Watch Issued For Municipalities Along Trent-Severn Waterway Due to Frazil Ice

Otonabee Conservation has issued a flood watch for municipalities along the Trent-Severn Waterway within its jurisdiction due to the potential for flooding because of frazil ice.

Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

Frazil ice is a kind of slush ice that occurs when temperatures drop below freezing, but solid ice cannot form because of the fast, turbulent water. Where frazil ice accumulates, it is likely to restrict water flow, which may cause increased water levels and possibly flooding. 

Otonabee Conservation advises residents of flood-prone areas to be prepared for potential flooding and stay aware of local conditions and alerts over the next week.

Water levels can be monitored online at: 

1)      Trent-Severn Waterway’s Water Management InfoNet.

2)      Water Survey of Canada Real-Time Hydrometric Data 

3)      Otonabee Region Conservation Authority website 

The Flood Watch message will expire on Monday unless updated earlier.

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