OSCA AGM – May 4, 2010
ECOS focuses on a broad range of environmental issues and assists community residents in acting or undertaking projects to improve the health, natural environment and quality of life in our neighbourhood. ECOS contributes an environmental perspective on matters of general interest, and guides the Association in operating in an environmentally appropriate and responsible manner.
In 2008, the board adopted an environmental policy to clarify OSCA’s sustainable goals:
The Ottawa South Community Association is dedicated to being the "greenest" community association in Ottawa. To achieve this, we will:
- support community initiatives that improve our natural spaces and/or reduce our impact on the environment,
- provide environmental education and advocacy to the community, where required,
- advocate for improvement and/or proper care of our natural spaces, like parks and along the river,
- promote more sustainable development and transportation,
- be a strong vocal supporter of environmentally sustainable practices in government, and
- strive continually to improve our association's environmental performance.
In 2009, OSCA focused attention on green additions for the Firehall. Many thanks to Roger Peters and Michael Jenkins, who negotiated with the city and Green Power Corp to ensure that the new Firehall roof would be fit up to accommodate a potential solar energy demonstration project led by Roger Peters. ECOS also purchased equipment to help community volunteers better maintain the new trees planted along the river near Windsor Park in 2008.
Environmental activities initiated by community members remains strong. The annual Windsor Park cleanups continued in 2009 and 2010. Many thanks to the community members of the “Windsor Pups” and organizations responsible for organizing this activity. A new community group organized by Declan Hill and Noel Lomer also initiated several tree plantings. The first, in 2009, was between Bronson Avenue and Bronson Place, where more than 60 new trees were planted by volunteers. An additional tree planting took place on April 17th, 2010 and another is scheduled for May 2nd of the same year. This group is now working to protect the small area of wetland in this strip of land just near Bronson and Sunnyside. The wetland is one of the last patches of the historic Dow’s Lake marsh and is home to a dozen different birds’ nesting areas. Another community member, Lori Waller, is working to develop a community garden for OOS. Anyone interested members of the community can contact Lori through the OOS website.
The focus of next year’s ECOS committee will be determined by the new chair of Ecos, to be nominated by the new board. Recommendations from the outgoing chairs include continuing support of community led initiatives, completion of the Brewer master plan, and a possible 10-year review of the Millenium "Restore the Rideau" Project.
Chairs: Nerys Parry, Michael Loewen