What's Happening in the Area?
You can find out about environmental programs, films, talks, and meetings in the Ottawa area through Ecology Ottawa's calendar. Visit www.ecologyottawa.ca/calendar
There are many environmental groups filling different niches in the Ottawa area. Some of them are neighbourhood based, like KEN, and others address the entire City. Below is a short list of groups. There are many more listed on Seventh Generation's Green Pages.
Ecology Ottawa
This organization follows local issues such as public transit, storm-water pollution, green space, transportation, development, waste disposal, and recycling in the City of Ottawa. Ecology Ottawa volunteers keep careful tabs and work hard to ensure that environmental concerns are heard at our City Hall. Visit their website to find out what the City of Ottawa and your councillor are doing or not doing for the environment.
www.ecologyottawa.ca.
..........................................................
Green Ottawa
This site is organized by the Ontario Environmental Network and it provides a directory of green businesses, organizations, and events in Ottawa.
www.greenottawa.ca.
..........................................................
Just Food
This group aims to increase access to nutritious, safe, secure, and local food for all people living in Ottawa. They support local farmers, chefs, gardeners, retailers, restauranteurs, eaters, and everything in between. They co-ordinate the Community Gardening Network, train farmers, implement the "Savour Ottawa" local food label, and more. Some of their popular workshops are "Springtime Vegetable Gardening" and "Fall Harvest Canning", all of which are advertised in their monthly e-newsletter and on their website.
www.justfood.ca.
..........................................................
Seventh Generation Community Projects
This group promotes sustainable living practices in the Ottawa area. They run educational events, look after the Ottawa Green Pages Directory, and support local green businesses. Seventh Generation is presently running two workshop series: Get Energy Smart and Solar H2Ottawa.
www.seventhgeneration.ca.
...........................................................
Sustainable Living Ottawa East (SLOE)
This is a local neighbourhood environmental group, similar to KEN, but servicing Old Ottawa East-the area between the Rideau river and canal. They have had a number of exciting projects, including establishing a Farmer's Market on Main Street and a community garden.
www.ottawaeast.ca/SLOE.
...........................................................
Sustainable Living Ottawa West (SLOW)
This is another local neighbourhood environmental group in Ottawa west. It is just starting up in an area stretching from Hintonburg to Nepean.
www.sustainableottawawest.ning.com.
...........................................................
Sustainable Ottawa
This group is focused on sustainable goods, services, and technologies that reduce an individual or family's footprint. It exists as a "buyer's co-op" enabling members to get discounts on a wide range of items from cotton baby diapers to solar panels. They lead the very successful Solar H2Ottawa program which provided discounts and know-how to put solar hot water heaters on many roofs of Ottawa homes.
www.sustainableottawa.ca.
...........................................................
Transition Ottawa
This new group is part of a world-wide "Transition Towns" movement which is facing the looming problems of peak oil and climate change with a positive and sustainable plan for transition to a low-carbon future.
www.transitionottawa.ning.com.
...........................................................
Tucker House
Tucker House is a charitable retreat and environmental learning centre that promotes sustainable living. Their 30-acre facility is located in Rockland, Ontario where the staff and volunteers run many environmental programs, activities, and on-site camps. They also have a wide range of educational programs that can be brought into schools and community organizations.
www.tuckerhouse.ca.
...........................................................