Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

Province still reviewing City of Ottawa request for LRT Phase 2 funding

Metro

By Michael Woods, Ottawa Metro News, July 23, 2015

A day after the federal government pledged $1 billion toward Phase 2 of Ottawa’s light rail transit project, the provincial government said it’s still reviewing the city’s request for its share of the estimated $3 billion project. But Ottawa-Orléans MPP Marie-France Lalonde did say the province “was first at the table for Phase 1″ and has been “consistently clear that we are at the funding table for Phase 2.” via Province still reviewing City of Ottawa request for LRT Phase 2 funding | Metro.

Wild parsnip worries continue in Ottawa as part of Rideau Trail closed - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, July 23, 2015

Some people in south Ottawa say they're worried about the spread of wild parsnip — a plant that can burn skin and even cause blindness — as a section of a popular hiking trail has been temporarily closed due to the toxic weed. Jessica Kingsbury said she's seen pictures and warnings on social media about the dangers of the plant. via Wild parsnip worries continue in Ottawa as part of Rideau Trail closed - Ottawa - CBC News.

Ottawa design firm parks solar-powered office in Vanier

Metro

By Lucy Scholey, Ottawa Metro News, July 22, 2015

A new transport truck-sized, solar-powered design hub has rolled in to Vanier. CloudLab is the temporary mobile office of prototypeD – the architecture firm designing the new $30-million innovation centre at the old Bayview Yards. It has parked on a vacant patch of grass on Montreal Road, where a planned seven-storey development has been on the backburner for almost two years. via Ottawa design firm parks solar-powered office in Vanier | Metro.

580 CFRA News Talk Radio :: The CloudLab launches in Vanier :: News - Article

By Jenn Pritchard, CFRA News, July 22, 2015

It's a meeting space for residents of Vanier to work with a design collaborative to improve their vision of their neighbourhood.

The CloudLab, created by prototypeD, is a zero net energy mobile workspace that will be located on Montreal Road for the next four months, there to provide a wide-ranging set of community design services.

They've partnered with the Quartier Vanier Business Improvement Area (QVBIA) to engage the community and help transform Vanier.

580 CFRA News Talk Radio :: City battling wild parsnip :: News - Article

By Chris Holski, CFRA News, July 22, 2015

The invasive plant wild parsnip which has a sap that can cause severe burning or blistering to sun-exposed skin has been popping up all over Ottawa this year.

Public Works General Manager Kevin Wylie says crews have been fighting it in several ways.

Federal government pledges $1B for light rail expansion in Ottawa - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, July 22, 2015

The Conservative federal government has pledged $1 billion in funding for stage two of Ottawa's light rail system, according to a letter Orleans MP Royal Galipeau sent the mayor on Wednesday afternoon. "We have created an excellent partnership for the Confederation Line, and I am pleased this will continue as we work to extend LRT farther east, west and south with Stage 2," Watson is quoted as saying in an emailed statement Wednesday. via Federal government pledges $1B for light rail expansion in Ottawa - Ottawa - CBC News.

Letter: Take note of latest pipeline oil spill

Ottawa Citizen

By Lynne Owens, Ottawa Citizen Letter to the Editor, July 21, 2015

Re: Detector missed pipeline leak, July 18. We can only hope that proponents of the Energy East pipeline, which is slated to run through Ottawa, will take note of the five-million-litre spill near Fort McMurray, Alta., last week. The warning system failed. A double-walled pipe that was less than a year old broke. via Letter: Take note of latest pipeline oil spill | Ottawa Citizen.

Historic Moore Farm Estate to become a showcase for urban farming and ecotourism

Ottawa Citizen

By Don Butler, Ottawa Citizen, July 21, 2015

It has taken more than four decades, but the historic Moore Farm Estate in Gatineau will be reborn this fall as an ecotourism and urban farming centre. The National Capital Commission signed a five-year lease Tuesday with the Coopérative de solidarité de la ferme Moore to operate the 10.4-hectare estate on Alexandre Taché Boulevard. via Historic Moore Farm Estate to become a showcase for urban farming and ecotourism | Ottawa Citizen.

Animals return to Brewer Park Pond after restoration project

By Alex Robinson, Ottawa Community News, July 21, 2015

More than half a century since Brewer Park Pond was cut off from the Rideau River to create an artificial swimming hole, the connection has been restored, bringing back a throng of new wildlife. A restoration project has connected the pond back to the river, making it a better environment for fish by boosting its oxygen levels. The pond was previously only accessible to aquatic animals when the area flooded in the spring and oxygen flow was cut off to the pond during winter and summer months. via Animals return to Brewer Park Pond after restoration project.

Mer Bleue Bog: Ottawa hidden gem boasts a lot of life - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, July 21, 2015

It's a peaceful, serene, display of nature where many kinds of life thrive, and it's just a 15-minute drive from downtown Ottawa. The Mer Bleue Bog is a 3,500-hectare conservation area that looks like a typical northern boreal forest landscape, but it's actually within Ottawa city limits. via Mer Bleue Bog: Ottawa hidden gem boasts a lot of life - Ottawa - CBC News.

Chris Cobb: Ten paths to peaceful co-existence on our roads

Ottawa Citizen

By Chris Cobb, Ottawa Citizen, July 21, 2015

Cycling season is in full swing in the nation’s capital and with it the same old frictions between cyclists, motorists and pedestrians. Citizen writer Chris Cobb – a cyclist, runner, walker and car driver – offers ten critical points that we and our elected representatives might consider to make life on roads and pathways less fraught. 1. A massive public education campaign to build mutual respect between cyclists, motorists and pedestrians. Too many motorists drive with an attitude that bicycles don’t belong on the roads. Too many cyclists ride like the roads have no rules. Too many pedestrians walk and run without listening to the world around them. via Chris Cobb: Ten paths to peaceful co-existence on our roads | Ottawa Citizen.

580 CFRA News Talk Radio :: Environment Canada volunteers keep tabs on tornado warning in Ottawa South :: News - Article

By Allison Sandor and Kristy Cameron, CFRA News, July 20, 2015

Environment Canada may have eyes in the sky, but it continues to rely on an army of volunteers to help track what's happening on the ground.

On Sunday as the radars showed the possibility of a tornado in Ottawa South, the weather agency relied on some of its 6,000 volunteers to watch for inclement weather.