Our climate is changing. It’s not just about polar bears and melting ice caps; it’s about our homes, our communities, and our future. We all need to ‘Take Action Burlington’ to: Reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, and Take steps to adapt to our warmer, wetter and wilder weather. Small actions can lead to big impacts. … More New Video on Taking Action on Climate Change in Burlington
Happy New Year! As John Lennon and Yoko Ono sang, “Another year over, a new one just begun.” So, we thought this is a good time to highlight the 37 Take Action Burlington blog posts published in 2023, our highest ever since we started the blog in 2015! With City Council declaring a climate emergency … More 2023: A Year in Review
The City of Burlington is working towards net carbon neutral operations by 2040. A pathway to achieve this Vision 2040 Strategic Plan goal is laid out in the Corporate Energy and Emissions Management Plan: 2019-2024. To ensure momentum towards achieving this goal, progress reports are presented each year to City Council. This post highlights some … More Burlington continues to lead by example to reduce carbon footprint
City View Park is nestled within the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve in Burlington, Ontario. As such, the park’s master plan has a more natural design than typical city parks. To date three play fields, a parking lot system, and a pavilion that doesn’t use fossil fuels in its operation, have been constructed within the park. In … More Improving Ecological Corridors at City View Park
Burlington is a beautiful community surrounded by many natural features including Lake Ontario, the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve, the Royal Botanical Gardens, and Bronte Creek Provincial Park. The parks, waterfront, creeks, and ravines that we love to visit also provide homes for animals such as foxes, racoons, skunks, and coyotes. As such, there exists the … More Living with Wildlife in Burlington
The City of Burlington is pleased to officially announce the completion of the Plains Road bike facilities and resurfacing project. This project includes: Burlington’s first series of protected bike intersections, construction of new bikeways, a rain garden, resurfacing the road, curb and sidewalk replacement, driveway and landscape improvements, new transit stops, hydro pole relocations, … More Burlington’s first series of protected bike intersections complete on Plains Road
In July 2022, City Council approved Burlington’s first climate adaptation plan called Climate Resilient Burlington (CRB): A Plan for Adapting to Our Warmer, Wetter and Wilder Weather. The CRB plan is separate but complimentary to the City’s Climate Action Plan which is focused on reducing our community’s greenhouse gas emissions primarily from the use of … More Climate Resilient Burlington Plan – Our First Year
Growing up, several decades ago as a kid in the GTA, one of my chores was to “take the garbage out” on “garbage day.” One, two, or even more bags were dutifully carried to the end of the driveway to be picked up the following morning. There were no tags, green bins or blue bins. … More Put Waste In Its Place!
October 16 is World Food Day and in celebration, we are profiling our community gardens. Are you interested in growing your own local food? Do you live in Burlington 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 … More Apply for a 2024 community garden plot by Dec. 15
Do you want to make your home more comfortable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly, but don’t know where to start? The City of Burlington’s Better Homes Burlington team and Burlington Public Library are hosting a series of free, one-hour information sessions where residents can learn about home energy retrofits. These introductory sessions will walk you through … More Learn More About Home Energy Retrofits in October
Applications for the Better Homes Burlington program are now open and will be reviewed on a first come first served basis! The City of Burlington is offering zero-interest loans up to $10,000 to help up to 20 homeowners with the installation of an air source heat pump. You can learn more about the benefits of … More Better Homes Burlington Applications are Open
Our climate is changing. We are experiencing warmer, wetter, and wilder weather. On Oct. 1, you can learn how to take some steps to reduce your impact on our climate and environment. Electric Vehicle (EV) Road Show If your current gas or diesel vehicle needs to be replaced, consider an EV. You will reduce your … More Test drive an EV and learn about air source heat pumps on Oct. 1
On May 1, we published a blog post submitted by a Bird Friendly Hamilton Burlington team member titled “May is for the birds” about the spring bird migration including where and when to watch birds and how you can take action for birds as they migrate. Tips included turning off non-essential lighting or closing curtains … More A Fun and Affordable Way to Stop Birds from Hitting Windows
As the last few carefree summer days are winding down and the first day of school approaches, let’s consider how we can take action to reduce our impact on our local environment. Getting to and from school If you live close enough to school in urban areas – within 1.6 km for elementary students and … More Back to School Eco-Friendly Tips
Marbled crayfish – an aquatic invasive species that is prohibited in Ontario – has been found in the Burlington area. This is the first-time marbled crayfish has been found in the wild in Canada and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) and its partners are working to protect Ontario’s habitats and biodiversity from … More Invasive Marbled Crayfish Found for First Time in Ontario
Have you heard? The City of Burlington is launching Better Homes Burlington, a pilot program to help homeowners with the installation of an air source heat pump. The City is offering zero percent loans up to $10,000 for up to 20 homeowners. Why consider an air source heat pump? Heat pumps Provide both heating and … More Launching Better Homes Burlington
Are you renovating your home or considering some upgrades? This is the first of two blog posts that will highlight a few common items in your home – the toilet, showerhead and water heater – and options to save water and money. Are you flushing money down the drain? Did you know that toilet flushing … More Save Water and Money in Your Home – Part 1
At the July 11 Council meeting, City staff provided updates on three important environment and energy projects. All reports can be found on burlington.ca/calendar under the June 28 Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services Committee meeting agenda. Climate Resilient Burlington: A Plan for Adapting to Our Warmer, Wetter, Wilder Weather Progress Report The Climate Resilient Burlington … More City of Burlington Taking Action on Climate Change
Are you a newcomer youth between the ages of 15 and 29? Would you like to learn more about climate change, gain practical skills to take action in your community, and make new friends? If so, you might be interested in Conservation Halton’s Green Space: Newcomer Youth Climate Forum launched in partnership with RBC Tech … More Green Space: Newcomer Youth Climate Forum Summer Sessions
In June 2023, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced the first confirmed presence of oak wilt in Niagara Falls followed by a second in Springwater, Ontario near Barrie. No cases have been confirmed in Burlington, however, the City is proactively sharing tips with residents on how to prevent the spread of oak wilt locally, … More Tips for protecting oak trees in Burlington from oak wilt
Summer vacations often begin with the end of the school year. Having fun at pools is a tradition for many creating lifelong memories. Our summers are getting hotter. If you’re looking for a pool, splash pad or spray park to stay cool, visit the City of Burlington’s webpage for a location near you. If you … More Eco-friendly tips to maintain your pool, hot tub and spa this summer
Canadians love to talk about the weather. It’s one of the first things many of us bring up in conversations. “It’s so cold, I can’t wait for summer” or, “It’s so hot, I can’t wait for the fall.” Something we’re hearing a lot more often is “I’ve never seen anything like this” when speaking about … More Living with Warmer, Wetter and Wilder Weather
Today, June 5, 2023, marks the fiftieth year since World Environment Day was declared by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to raise awareness and generate political momentum around growing environmental concerns. This week, June 4 to 10, 2023, also marks Canadian Environment Week which was established in 1971 to celebrate Canada’s environmental accomplishments and … More Burlington receives recognition from Global Covenant of Mayors for work on climate change
One of Conservation Halton’s (CH) top priorities is to protect life and property from natural hazards and updating hazard mapping is one of the ways they do that. East Burlington Creeks Flood Hazard Mapping CH is currently updating flood hazard mapping for Tuck, Shoreacres, Appleby, and Sheldon Creeks that cross through parts of East Burlington … More Conservation Halton’s East Burlington Creeks Flood Hazard Mapping – Upcoming Public Engagement Session
The bicycle is a very useful piece of equipment. While some might use a bicycle because of health benefits or as a sport, it is also an important form of transportation. A bicycle is more accessible to many offering a cost-effective way to get to school, work, the doctor, the grocery store, etc. and doesn’t … More Celebrate World Bicycle Day on June 3
