Ottawa Forests & Greenspace

National Forest Week 2011

Saturday September 24^th, 2011

Photograph by Roger Lalonde, City Photographer.  Used with permission.

Mer Bleue 2011: Walk in the Woods

Summary of Walk-in-the-Woods Event

September 18, 2011, Mer Bleue Bog, Ottawa

On Sunday, September 18, the Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee (OFGAC) managed to squeeze in a summer walk a few days before the calendar said fall. And while the leaves were just beginning to turn and the past few evenings had a sharp briskness that hinted of chills to come, the weather for the walk was ideal. A bright blue cloudless sky, perfect 20 degree temperature and no wind greeted the large group of about 55 participants who gathered tostroll a boardwalk into Mer Bleue and learn the significance of this peat bog and the forest that bounds it.

Read more: Mer Bleue 2011: Walk in the Woods

Tree Day in Ottawa

The following proclamation was presented to Nicole Parent, Chair of the Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee and David Barkley, Manager of Forestry Services:

WHEREAS, National Tree Day serves as a celebration for all Canadians to appreciate the great benefits that trees provide us: clean air, wildlife habitat, reducing energy demand and connecting with nature; and

WHEREAS, trees filter the air by producing oxygen and sequestrating carbon monoxide and other pollutants; they also reduce water run-off and soil erosion and keep local waterways clean; and

WHEREAS, the Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee approved a motion to designate an official day in observance of the International Year of Forests and that this be during Canada's National Forest Week from September 18-24, 2011;

THEREFORE, I, Jim Watson, Mayor of the City of Ottawa, do hereby proclaim Tuesday, September 20^, 2011 as Tree Day in Ottawa.

OThis item can be found at 0:03:32 on the Environment Committee Archived audiocast