Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

Your letters for Monday, July 18: Cycling, vaccines and a marriage proposal

Ottawa Citizen

By Drew Gragg, Ottawa Citizen Letter to the Editor, July 18, 2016

Discouraging – or encouraging – cycling

Re: Bike licences for Ottawa? It’s a bad and pointless idea, July 12

It should be remembered that cyclists on public roads already have to identify themselves to police when asked. So, your editorial is correct in stating that licensing cyclists wouldn’t help police crack down on violations.

I strongly suspect that discouraging cycling does not count as an argument against licensing in the minds of many people. Rather, it’s precisely what they’d like to achieve.

Science of summer: How blue jays plant forests

Ottawa Citizen

By Tom Spears, Ottawa Citizen, July 18, 2016

This summer, Postmedia’s Tom Spears brings you the often offbeat science behind the season that calls us to go outdoors. It’s all part of a series we call the Science of Summer. Today’s story is on how trees can grow far from where their seeds fall.

If you have a favourite oak tree where you live, thank the local crows, ravens and especially the jays. They likely planted it.

And now a biologist says one great way to restore a forest damaged by cutting is to bring back some of these birds, because they help trees to spread.

Path closing under Main Street bridge

Metro News

By Emma Jackson, Ottawa Metro News, July 17, 2016

Main Street construction is set to cause even more headaches for cyclists and pedestrians this month as a section of a multi-use pathway is closed under the McIlraith Bridge.

Beginning Monday, the path under the western side of the bridge will close for three weeks while bridge bearings are replaced overhead.

Instead of connecting between Rideau Garden Drive and Rideau River Drive, cyclists and pedestrians will be detoured to Main and Riverdale Avenue, a city notice said.

580 CFRA News Talk Radio :: Kids get first look at Mooney's Bay playground :: News - Article

By Kristy Cameron, CFRA News, July 14, 2016

The cameras were rolling at Mooney's Bay on Thursday, as kids got a sneak peek of the controversial project billed as the country's largest playground.

The playground designed in the shape of Canada isn't complete yet, but kids were able to test out the first two structures that have been built.

Children shrieked and giggled as they climbed up the "Ontario" play structure, complete with a Peace Tower and a bulldozer-shaped swing.

Councillors address parklet concerns along Beechwood

By Michelle Nash Baker, Ottawa Community News, July 14, 2016

Tucked away in a parking spot on Beechwood Avenue, the latest parklet has been getting mixed reviews from area residents.

The Quartier Vanier’s Water Garden, a parklet in front of Auturo’s restaurant at 49 Beechwood Ave., officially opened on June 10.

The water garden is designed by Carleton University students and has a canopy that will collect water and disperse it into a self-watered planting system.

Dream comes true as Pineview gets community space

By Michelle Nash Baker, Ottawa Community News, July 14, 2016

Pineview residents’ wish of getting a community space is finally coming true.

The space is located on the first floor of Fire Station 55, at 1700 Blair Rd., and will be available for use as a meeting place for community groups, including the Pineview Community Association.

Ottawa Riverkeeper swim grows in third year

By Megan Delaire, Ottawa Community News, July 14, 2016

Organizers of the Riverkeeper 4K swim will expand the race in its third year, adding two new distances and pushing their fundraising goal to new heights.

The original interprovincial long distance races will have swimmers cross the Ottawa River on Aug. 6, starting at Lac Deschênes Sailing Club, 10 Rangeview Ave., in Ottawa and finishing at Parc des Cèdres, near the Voyageurs pathway in Aylmer, four kilometres away.

The birds and the trees: Made for each other

Science of Summer

Ottawa & Regi

By Tom Spears, Ottawa Sun, July 17, 2016

This summer, Postmedia’s Tom Spears brings you the often offbeat science behind the season that calls us to go outdoors. It’s all part of a series we call the Science of Summer. Today’s story is on how trees can grow far from where their seeds fall.

If you have a favourite oak tree where you live, thank the local crows, ravens and especially the jays. They likely planted it.

How close should a new central library be to an LRT station?

Ottawa Citizen

The Ottawa Public Library has already established that a new facility should be within 400 metres walking distance from an LRT station. All 12 long-listed sites for a central library are in that range.One of the 12 properties eyed for a new central library would have an entrance at Pimisi station on LeBreton Flats.

A scorecard will help an evaluation panel decide which property is the most suited for a new central library, but the city will be pressured to make sure the winning site is directly on the $2.1-billion LRT line. The question facing the library board and council might eventually be, how far away should a new library be from an LRT station?

The Ottawa Public Library has already established that a new facility should be within 400 metres walking distance from an LRT station. All 12 long-listed sites for a central library are in that range.

One Redblacks touchdown, one tree for Trim - Football - Orléans Star

By Kelly Snider, Orleans Star, July 14, 2016

ENVIRONMENT. The City of Ottawa has partnered with the Ottawa Redblacks on an initiative that will see one tree planted at the Trim Park and Ride for every touchdown the team lands.

During the July 5 announcement, Bernie Ashe, the CEO of the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG), said the story of the Redblacks and the brand dates back to the theme of Ottawa being a lumber industry town.

One Redblacks touchdown, one tree for Trim - Football - Orléans Star

By Kelly Snider, Orleans Start, July 14, 2016

ENVIRONMENT. The City of Ottawa has partnered with the Ottawa Redblacks on an initiative that will see one tree planted at the Trim Park and Ride for every touchdown the team lands.

During the July 5 announcement, Bernie Ashe, the CEO of the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG), said the story of the Redblacks and the brand dates back to the theme of Ottawa being a lumber industry town.

Hail-Mary petition begs McKenna to halt Almonte's Enerdu dam

Metro News

By Emma Jackson, Ottawa Metro News, July 13, 2016

A “stake in the heart of Almonte” or a $10-million job creator?

Depending who you talk to, either could describe the hydro dam expansion that’s generating controversy in the small town just west of Ottawa – a project some residents are desperately trying to stop with a hail-Mary petition to the federal government.

Nearly 5,000 people have signed the online petition posted July 5 – including celebrities like Bruce Cockburn and Paul Simon – asking federal environment minister Catherine McKenna to halt the project they argue will harm an endangered dragonfly and ruin a heritage waterfall in the heart of the village.