The Neighbourwoods Project

Chair: Darlene Pearson

The Centretown NeighbourWoods team was formed in 2021 to promote actions that protect and enhance the urban tree canopy within Centretown and beyond. These efforts will help mitigate local impacts of climate change.

Team volunteers apply a tested citizen science methodology used in other Ottawa communities and elsewhere in Ontario to conduct tree surveys on private residential land, private industrial/commercial land, and public lands. This baseline will help inform future tree stewardship practices and initiatives in Centretown.

At the same time, we attempt to Increase understanding of the value and benefits of trees in our community and advocate for planting more trees to help decrease the heat island effect that is particularly felt in Centretown.

We also liaise with other communities and relevant groups to foster cooperation and collaboration on tree-related issues.

In 2021 we initiated a survey of plantable spots in the western area of Centretown. In spring, 2022 we presented the findings of our tree survey and our plantable spots survey to City staff. Our findings included recommendations for a new approach to evaluate plantable spaces that would take into account the limitations of a densely populated centre city area.

In June 2022, we were successful in obtaining a grant from Ottawa’s Community Environmental Projects Grants Program to purchase additional measuring equipment and to print the flyers we use to announce when we will be working on specific street blocks.

Our volunteers continue to collect tree data and to advocate for the protection and enhancement of our tree canopy with

  • Ongoing tree survey work in Centretown;

  • Outreach to residents on the Trees in Trust program;

  • Identification of plantable spots in Centretown; and

  • Collaboration with other community associations and groups on issues of common concern.

Want to join our efforts? You can reach us at NeighbourWoods@centretowncitizens.ca.

Terms of Reference

Purpose: The Centretown NeighbourWoods Team seeks to promote actions that will protect and enhance the urban tree canopy within Centretown and beyond, and that will help mitigate local impacts of climate change.

Rationale: Centretown has one of the lowest tree canopy covers in Ottawa and yet also has a high heat island effect. There is an acute need for a healthy canopy to provide shade, physical and psychological benefits, habitat for wildlife, storm water retention, and esthetic benefits. Centretown NeighbourWoods provides an opportunity for citizen engagement to promote protecting and enhancing our tree canopy as a valuable asset for the benefit of all.

Objectives:

  • Use the Neighbourwoods methodology to carry out a tree survey in Centretown on private residential land, private industrial/commercial land, and public lands as a baseline for tree stewardship initiatives.

  • Increase understanding of the value and benefits of trees in our communities.

  • Encourage community dialogue and citizen engagement in initiatives that increase the health and viability of our urban trees.

  • Liaise with other communities, the City of Ottawa, and other relevant groups to foster cooperation and collaboration on tree-related issues.

  • Advocate for a decrease in hardscaping to provide a better growing environment for trees and to decrease the heat island effect.

Composition: Centretown NeighbourWoods Team membership is open to residents of Centretown as well as to interested residents of other Ottawa communities.

Meetings: The Centretown NeighbourWoods Team meets at least once a year in person or virtually. No quorum is required, consistent with the informal nature of the working group. The work of the group is carried out by several smaller teams of volunteers who self-organize to carry out the tree survey work over the summer months.

Reporting: The Centretown NeighbourWoods Team reports to the CCA Board through the Trees, Greenspace and Sustainability Committee. It submits written reports as required, including an annual report on the tree survey work.

Resources and budget: The Centretown NeighbourWoods Team obtains funding from the Trees, Greenspace and Sustainability Committee budget to fund equipment and printing costs. It applies for available grants as opportunities arise.