Summer 2021 Newsletter

image of a bee on a dandelion flower

Ecology Ottawa’s Summer Bioblitz

What is a Summer Bioblitz? Ecology Ottawa’s Summer Bioblitz is a 3-day event that challenges you to get outside and explore your nearby surroundings for all kinds of wildlife. Participants will document their observations on iNaturalist, a mobile and web app that allows users to document all the nature they encounter. The goal is to collect as many natural observations as you can from birds to plants to insects, you name it! Help us better understand the rich biodiversity present in Ottawa that needs protection.

Find out more, including the results of June’s Bioblitz, here: https://www.ecologyottawa.ca/summer_bioblitz

Rain Ready Ottawa

Rain Ready Ottawa is a pilot program that encourages and supports residents to take action on their property to reduce harmful impacts of rainwater runoff.

Rain Ready Ottawa offers:

  • Information on rainwater management projects for your home
  • Home Assessments that offer custom advice and solutions to your rainwater problems (Eligibility requirements apply, learn more at Rain Ready Ottawa Home Assessments)
  • Rebates up to $5,000 to help you install practices that help manage rainwater where it falls (Eligibility requirements apply, learn more at Rain Ready Ottawa project rebates)

What’s the problem with rain?

Many of Ottawa’s older urban areas were developed without thinking about managing rainwater. Buildings, streets and parking lots don’t absorb rain like natural areas do. When rain falls on these surfaces, it moves quickly into storm sewers that drain straight into our streams and rivers, picking up pollutants along the way. This can cause problems like:

  • Poor water quality in creeks and rivers
  • Increased risks of flooding and erosion
  • Habitat degradation
  • Beach closures

We all play a part in reducing the harmful effects of rainwater run-off on our streams and rivers.

Be part of the solution

What is the solution?

Soaking up the rain! Through simple actions, each Ottawa home can manage rain where it falls, helping to prevent pollution, maintain healthy creeks and rivers, and ensure our beaches stay open.

Taking on some simple ‘do-it-yourself’ yard improvement projects you can help solve rainwater issues. From simple downspout redirection to more involved projects like rain gardens, you can have an impact on the health of our streams and rivers through actions on your property. Many projects can also add beauty and curb appeal to your home, providing brilliant colours for the growing season as well as winter interest for our colder months. For many residents, properly managing rainwater also brings peace of mind by reducing the risk of surface flooding and basement seepage.

To find a project that is right for your home, learn more on the Rain Ready Ottawa website.

gloved hand filling syringe with Covid-19 vaccine

Covid-19 Pandemic Updates

Ottawa Public Health remains your best source of information locally if you’re looking for case rates, managing your risk by being Covid WISE, or information about vaccines.

It’s a race to get as many people vaccinated as possible to limit our risk from current variants and to limit the creation of new variants.  Ottawa Public Health has a new vaccine wait-list tool for same-day openings at community clinics (kind of like flying stand-by but for vaccines).  More information here: https://ottawa.ca/en/news/new-vaccine-wait-list-tool-same-day-openings-community-clinics

The Public Health Agency of Canada has released guidance on “Life after vaccination” and has provided an infographic to break it down:  INFOGRAPHIC

We’re getting closer to vaccination thresholds and it’s important to keep on keeping on until the experts tell us otherwise.

Yoga in the park with the CGOWCA.  Wednesdays at 7pm in July and August 2021.  Subject to Covid restrictions.  July 7, 12, 21, 28 at Décarie Park.  August 4, 11, 18, 25 at Hiawatha Park

Yoga in the Park

Our summer Yoga series has begun. These free sessions are open to all and are being held each Wednesday night at 7pm. Bring a yoga mat or a towel, and your water bottle.

  • July 7, 14, 21, and 28 will be at Décarie Park (7883 Décarie Dr, Orléans, ON K1C 2J4)
  • August 4, 11, 18, and 25 will be at Hiawatha Park (near the corner of Voyageur and Voyageur)

We hope to see you there!

image of many different face icons in different colours, in the shape of a speech bubble.

Save the Date:  Community Association Annual General Meeting

When:  Monday September 20th at 7pm

What:  Learn about the last year’s activities and finances.  Elect volunteers to the Board of Directors.

If you would like to know more about joining the Board of Directors for the Convent Glen-Orléans Wood Community Association, please reach out to the current board at conventglenorleanswood@gmail.com.  If you aren’t interested in joining the board but would like to help the Community Association with an event or in some other way, please reach out as well!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.