Now that retail stores are open for pick-up, many residents are rolling up to get their packages or food orders in their vehicles. Please remember to turn your vehicle off while you patiently wait. I am sure you don’t want to get a $120 ticket for idling unnecessarily. And, no one wants to inhale your … More Idling Bylaw Still in Effect
With physical distancing due to COVID-19, many organizations are staying engaged with residents by creating and promoting different activities that you can do or learn at home. This post highlights some of the environmentally related or nature-based activities that are currently available. Since early April, the Royal Botanical Gardens has been running interactive content on … More Enviro Fun @ Home
Food security or being able to buy and get enough food to meet nutritional needs, is a very serious issue for some households and even more so with the COVID-19 pandemic due to increasing job losses. Burlington Food Bank is experiencing increasing demand and relies on community support to ensure sufficient supplies are available to … More Grow your own fruit and veggies!
Did you know that ‘flushable’ wipes are actually NOT flushable? While you might see the wipes go down your toilet bowl, it’s what you’re not seeing that is having a great impact. (Wipes vs. Toilet Paper video concept and creative courtesy of Metro Vancouver). While toilet paper breaks down quickly, wipes do not. Wipes twist … More Flush only the three P’s … Poop, Pee and Toilet Paper!
Did you know there are 27 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in downtown Burlington? The city’s first public EV charging station was installed in the parking garage at 414 Locust St. in 2015. A second charging station was added in 2017 at the same location. Both charging stations have two ports each allowing a … More Ready, set, charge!
The third annual Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System BioBlitz is on Sept. 20 and 21, 2019. The event brings together experts, citizen scientists and people like you to discover and document the wonderful biodiversity in our region. Whether you are an expert naturalist or just want to learn more about the plants and animals calling … More Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System BioBlitz and Plant Sale
In April 2019, the City of Burlington declared a Climate Emergency. In June, staff presented City Council with a Climate Action Update Report (item 4.2). This report highlights actions the City is involved in to address climate change and a proposed process to develop the community Climate Action Plan. The City has made a commitment … More Help us develop Burlington’s Climate Action Plan
On June 17, 2019 City of Burlington sustainability staff presented the Take Action Burlington – An Update on Our Local Environment to Council. This report provides an overview on the state of Burlington’s environment including information on local sustainability efforts and actions that can be taken. This is the second in a series of five … More Take Action Burlington: An Update on Our Local Environment – Land
On June 17, 2019 City of Burlington sustainability staff presented Take Action Burlington – An Update on Our Local Environment to Council. This report provides an overview on the state of Burlington’s environment including information on local sustainability efforts and actions that can be taken. This is the first of five posts about the report. … More Take Action Burlington – An Update on Our Local Environment
Are you interested in learning more about climate change and how cities like Burlington can take action? If yes, then you should consider attending the Cities in Action – Bay Area Climate Change Summit taking place from March 25 to 28, 2019 at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington. You can attend one, two or … More Cities in Action – Bay Area Climate Change Summit
Happy New Year! Did you make a resolution for 2019? Now that we’re in the second week of the year, have you kept your resolution? Let’s face it; many of us make such grand resolutions that they’re difficult to keep. What if we made a resolution to do one thing? Since this is an environmental … More Do one thing
‘Tis the season for festive lights, gatherings with friends and family, and creating new memories. Many of us celebrate by exchanging gifts, which can produce a lot of waste. Have you ever given or received a gift that has so much excess packaging you actually need to use tools to get it out of the … More Create memories, not garbage
It’s hard to believe that another school year is about to begin. With students gearing up to go back to school next week, it seems like a good time to remind those of you doing school drop-off and pick up by vehicle to please turn your engine off while you wait. If “idling gets you … More A back to school reminder for drivers. Turn your engines off while you wait.
In 2007, residents in Sydney, Australia created a movement by turning their lights off for one hour in support of climate change. This marked the beginning of Earth Hour. The following year, 35 countries participated in this World Wildlife Fund initiative and last year, on Earth Hour’s 10th anniversary, millions of individuals, businesses and organizations … More Connect2Earth this Earth Hour
Spring is around the corner. You can sense the anticipation and see an extra bounce in everyone’s step, especially on a sunny, warm day. Spring also brings fond memories of children happily splashing in puddles. As the popular saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.” Unfortunately today our rain often falls in more intense storms … More Get a Home Flood Protection Assessment to Reduce Your Home’s Flood Risk
Burlington is not the only community dealing with climate change. Every community is feeling the impacts and costs of a changing climate — increasing severe weather events, such as flooding and ice storms, heat alerts, and more freeze-thaw cycles which are hard on infrastructure like roads (noticed any potholes lately?!), bridges and culverts. To … More Taking action today for a better tomorrow
Last fall, Nelson became the third high school in Burlington after Aldershot and Hayden to participate in the People and Places in Halton (P2H) program. P2H is a partnership between the individual high school, the City of Burlington and the Halton Region Health Department where a series of guest presenters are invited to engage students … More Nelson students share suggestions for a liveable community
Are you interested in growing your own local food? Do you live in an apartment, condominium or a townhouse and don’t have space to plant a garden? The City of Burlington has a solution that might work for you. From experienced gardeners to beginners, anyone can apply to rent a ground-based or raised accessible plot … More Community garden applications due on Nov. 30
Are you a Halton teacher (grades K to 12) or administrator interested in advancing environmental education in your school? If yes, the Ontario EcoSchools workshop is for you. Interested teachers and administrators are invited to attend a free information session to ask questions and learn from experienced Ontario EcoSchools teachers and administrators. Date: Nov. 18, … More Halton teachers and administrators: Ontario EcoSchools hosts an environmental education workshop Nov. 18
Thank you to the Burlington Sustainable Development Committee (SDC) for hosting the ‘Green Home Renos 101 – Local Stories’ event at Burlington Public Library – Central Branch on Oct. 25, 2017. Three homeowners spoke about their personal green renovation experiences resulting in more comfortable homes with lower energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint. Their … More Green Home Renos – Local Stories Revealed
The City of Burlington and many other municipalities throughout the Greater Toronto Area have noticed significant tree leaf damage caused by cankerworm, a native insect. Cankerworm occurs on a natural cycle of every eight to 12 years in forested areas. Burlington’s last outbreak was in 2008. Cankerworms are often referred to as inchworms or loopers … More Cankerworm Update
Thank you to the Awareness Subcommittee members of the Burlington Sustainable Development Advisory Committee for helping to plan a great Let’s Live Green event. Thank you also to the exhibitors and presenters who provided practical information about how we can all do our part to reduce our impact on the environment. Here are a few … More Let’s Live Green!
Since October 17 – 23 marks the 15th year that Waste Reduction Week has been celebrated across Canada, I thought I’d use this opportunity to ask those using our city buildings and outdoor spaces to think before you throw and place your waste in the right bin. In 2009, the City of Burlington piloted outdoor … More Think Before You Throw
Last Friday, Burlington Hydro held their second open house. Just like last year, it was intentionally planned on a PA Day and catered to both youth and adults. I was invited to attend representing the City of Burlington but since I was double booked, I was only able to attend the event in the afternoon. … More Burlington Hydro puts on an electrifying event
Next week, about 4,000 Halton students from grades two to five will be embarking upon a great adventure to participate in the 11th annual Halton Children’s Water Festival at Kelso Conservation Area. What better way to learn – about water science and technology, water conservation and protection, water health and safety, and water and society … More Splish, splash … it’s time for outdoor learning and fun
