NEWS
& EVENTS
Emerald
ash borer in Ottawa
UPDATE: OFGAC's EAB Working Group, with the leadership of Ottawa Forestry Services and the kind help of the Ottawa Horticultural
Society, are working to help track the progress and movement of the Emerald Ash Borer. Read the full update here [PDF, 500kB].
Residents are urged:
- not
to move firewood out of Ottawa or into communities adjacent to Ottawa.
- not
to bring firewood to your cottage or campsites
- to
buy your firewood locally and know where it originates
- to
remember that the EAB continues to live in the wood, even after the
tree is cut down.
Minister of Natural Resources - Forest
Health Alert
City
of Ottawa EAB information
and More...
The endangered Eastern
Prairie Fringed-orchid habitat
At the OFGAC November 23rd 2009 meeting, Shaun Thompson, a Kemptville
district ecologist with the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), spoke
to us about the endangered Eastern Prairie Fringed-orchid habitat
within Ottawa’s Marlborough Forest. Mr. Thompson, whose expertise
includes wetland ecology, as well as Species at Risk and Areas of
Natural Scientific Interest, said that the species are now protected
under the Ontario Endangered Species Act, in addition to the Federal
Species at Risk Act. The main threats to this species include habitat
loss (development and agriculture, other species competition), damage
by recreational vehicles, foot trampling, etc.
The Ottawa Stewardship Council have posted on their website
an article about the Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid Habitat Modeling
Field Verification Survey Report 2009. They have also included an
article about the Local Eastern Ontario Butternut Recovery Program.
Urban
Tree Conservation By-law has passed
Council has passed the Urban Tree
Conservation
By-law, which places restrictions on the cutting of trees on private
property in urban Ottawa.
For more information on the Urban Tree
Conservation By-law, visit ottawa.ca/urbantree, or call 3-1-1
(TTY: 613-580-2401).
OFGAC's 2008 workplan
OFGAC's
draft workplan 2009 is pending City staff and council approval.
More...
OFGAC's Walk in the Woods
series
Check our upcoming walk schedule.
More...
Tree Trunk Damage
OFGAC tackles tree trunk damage caused by careless maintenance.
More here and here.
Volunteers welcome!
More...
Ottawa issues national tree
planting challenge
More...
Trees
and shrubs database
Learn more about our native species and "go native" when you landscape
your yard.
Tree Canada presents Green
Streets grants at OFGAC meeting
More...
Beyond Ottawa 20/20:
planning for the future
Ottawa residents are invited to participate in the City’s review of the
Official Plan, Transportation Master Plan and the Infrastructure Master
Plan
More...
OFGAC subcommittee
inspects trees at Berrigan transit
station site
More...
 Tar Spot disease infecting
Norway Maples in Ottawa
More...
Invasive plants in urban areas
Butternut recovery program
More...
Guide to planting trees
for urban residents
More...
Trees and foundation damage
More...
Identified Benefits of
Community Trees and Forests
More...
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Who we are
The Ottawa Forests and
Greenspace
Advisory
Committee (OFGAC) was established in the fall of 2001 to advise Ottawa
City Council and provide a forum for citizens on issues related to
trees and forests. The committee has 15
members, appointed by City Council, from all areas of the
City of Ottawa.
Our
Mandate
OFGAC advises the City of Ottawa
on
- Municipal policies relating
to
trees and
forests
- Protection, management,
acquisition
and
conservation of greenspaces
- Management of community
forests
- Public-private initiatives to
protect
greenspace
- Rural reforestation
We are working with City Council
toward
greening of streets, parks, and communities by developing
- an Ottawa Forest Strategy
- a Greenspace Master Plan
- a Biodiversity Strategy
- a tree cover inventory and
tree
cover
objectives
- support for the Urban Tree Conservation
by-law
OFGAC provides a forum for
citizens
interested in trees and tree cover. We work with local community groups
and environmental organizations through workshops, conferences, and
personal contact.
Our monthly meetings are open to
the
public.
Agendas
and minutes are posted on the City of Ottawa web site.
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We, the Ottawa Forests and Greenspace
Advisory
Committee, are actively looking to add new members to
the group. If you are a resident of the City of Ottawa, over 18 years
of age, and are concerned about the city's greenspaces and forests, add
your voice and become an advocate in promoting conservation
efforts. We
welcome persons who are willing to work with us at preserving
and enhancing the city's greenspaces and
forests, which includes meadows, wetlands and
woodlots. Get involved and play an active role.
You can make a difference
by becoming a volunteer member of the Ottawa Forests and Greenspace
Advisory Committee. The City can benefit greatly from your
expertise, enthusiasm and civic pride. Advisory
committees provide advice to City Council and contribute to
the development of policies, programs and initiatives. Should you wish
to become involved as
a member of the Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory
Committee, contact us at: ofgac@ottawaforests.ca
The Ottawa
Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee's mandate and composition is
posted here
We meet once a month and our meetings are
open to
the public. We normally meet at City Hall on Laurier Avenue
West, in the Colonel By Room on the 2nd floor. The schedule for all of
the Advisory Committees' meetings are posted on the city's
website,
including agendas and minutes of
meetings.
Here
are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions:
What are my
responsibilities as a committee or board member?
- Members serve
terms of one, two, three and four years, with a maximum of two
consecutive terms on the same committee.
- Meetings are
generally held once a month, mostly in the evening, however members are
expected to participate on one or more subcommittee/working group
meetings.
- The City’s
Participation Expense Policy can help cover members’ costs for child
care, parking, bus fare and mileage.
Who is eligible?
Residents of the
City of Ottawa who are 18 years of age or older are eligible for
appointment. Membership will, as much as possible, reflect Ottawa’s
diversity and demographics in such areas as gender, official language,
geographic representation, race and disability.
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Forests in our communities
OFGAC
organizes a
series of
walks and invites Ottawa residents to get to know the woods and
woodlots within our city. More
about the series...
- Trees often survive inhospital
conditions on our city streets. More...
- Marlborough Forest is
Ottawa's largest forest. More...
- McCarthy Woods - will it
survive invasive species, vandalism, development? More...
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