As you know. Winnipeg’s trees are dying at an alarming rate from pests, disease, construction, effects of climate change, and lack of funding. If we continue at our current pace of investment in our urban forests, half of Winnipeg’s 3,000,000 trees may be gone by the year 2040. But you and your friends neighbors and association members can make a difference! Trees Please Winnipeg Coalition* is asking all levels of government to re-think funding models for urban forests. We want to classify urban forests as “assets”, and treat trees like the valuable infrastructure they are. We call on all levels of governments to invest for the long-term. You can help make urban forests a priority for all governments, starting with the Government of Canada, who wants input from YOU on their Pre-Budget Consultations. Spend a few minutes of your time to tell the Government of Canada you care today! Here is how you can do this: 1. One Minute: READ the one-page submission Trees Please Winnipeg Coalition submitted to the Federal Government’s Pre-Budget Consultation so you can learn more. (Click below) 2. Five Minutes: FILL IN the Federal Government’s Pre-Budget Consultation questionnaire - By February 18th. *Question #1 asks you to identify 3 priorities from a long list. Please select “Invest in Communities through public transit, affordable housing, and green infrastructure” as one of your choices. 3. Fifteen Minutes: EMAIL the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Finance (and copy your MP) -- download sample wording and contact information by clicking below. Due: as soon as you can! Thank you for your valuable time — every voice counts in helping our governments hear we care about our trees. ** Please forward this email and attachments to your friends and neighbours who also care about trees. If you wish to stay informed about Trees Please Winnipeg activities, follow us on Facebook. The Trees Please Winnipeg Coalition is a citywide association of resident and community groups, working together with Tree Canada, The David Suzuki Foundation, Trees Winnipeg, OURS Winnipeg, the Manitoba Urban Forest Council, The Ontario Urban Forest Council, LEAF Ontario, The Manitoba Eco-Network, Reforest London, REEP, Green Ventures and The Oakvillegreen Conservation Association Inc. to secure long-term sustainable funding for Winnipeg’s urban forest and those across Canada. On Jan. 14, 2021, the City of Winnipeg Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works concurred in the recommendation of the Winnipeg Public Service, as amended, and approved the following:
The VIMY GARDEN is a GO!!!! Attend the Community Garden Tree Town Hall, Monday Feb. 8, 20211/24/2021
It’s been a fantastic journey, consulting with the community, getting permission from the City and applying for grants and fundraising for the community garden build! Now that everything in place, we’ll be organizing volunteer builders and constructing the garden in May, in adherence with COVID restrictions.
Community support for the project has been overwhelming. In the fall of 2019, 279 residents, from across the neighborhood, responded to our door-to-door and in-person questionnaire as well as our online survey. The vast majority of respondents, a total of 267 households, supported the idea of a community garden on the old bowling green in Vimy Ridge Park. Only 12 opposed the idea, primarily due to concerns about possible vandalism, and sustainability. We’ve taken those concerns seriously and addressed them in our site plan, future signage, and by designing what we hope will be a beautiful, welcoming and inclusive space for everyone. The indication of broad community support, a strong community vision and site plan were the main reasons that Parks and Open Spaces agreed to provide an agreement in principle for the building of a community garden. The garden will be located in the northern portion of the old bowling green, and features twenty, 4 foot by 8 foot allotment beds, and two 4 foot by 16 foot communal beds. There will also be a native plant pollinator garden that will feature perennial flowers and fruit-bearing shrubs. The community beds will apply the “grow a row” principle, with half the produce going to food banks or those in need. The allotment gardens will be assigned via a lottery so please get your applications in by March 15th. At this point we’ve reserved five beds for people in living multi-unit dwellings, two for our funding partner, Klinic, and the remaining beds will go to interested residents. We encourage anyone interested in gardening to apply! We will announce the results of the lottery on March 30th. (link to application form here) For more information, please copy the Zoom link below and come to The WRA Community Garden/Tree Townhall on Feb. 8th If you can’t make it to the meeting, please do not hesitate to forward your questions to: wracommunitygardens@gmail.com Zoom Link: Topic: WRA Town Hall meeting Date: Feb 8 2021 7pm Time: Feb 8, 2021 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89202079421?pwd=ci9yZVpCL2w5WG5JdEpJRU8yQUdrUT09 So let’s get growing Wolseley! And huge thanks to everyone who has helped to make Wolseley’s community garden possible including: Genny Funk-Unrau, Nicole Chammartin and Holly Banner at Klinic, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Grant; Cindy Gilroy, City Councilor; The Land Dedication Reserve Fund; Parks and Open Spaces; City of Winnipeg Allotments; Yoko Chapman and The Anthologie Project and the Wolseley volunteers and supporters! Thanks for your interest in the Vimy Victory gardens! We’re excited for the 2021 growing season – our first ever. Please review the responsibilities of the gardeners and the Community Garden Committee before filling out the application. If you know someone interested in gardening, please encourage them to apply. Click on the link below to access a Garden Application. Applications are due no later than March 15th, 2021. Successful applicants will be notified by March 30,, 2021. Priority will be given to:
● Improve, protect and maintain the community gardens; ● Host workshops to provide education and training for all community gardeners; ● Communicate regularly with gardeners to identify assets and needs; ● Promote community events held in the gardens in our newsletter and on Facebook; ● Inform community members of City requirements for use of the land. ● Note: The WRA CGC is not responsible for any theft or vandalism that may occur in allotment plot I, the Community Gardener agree to: ● Be respectful to other gardeners and their families; ● Plant my 4X8’ allotment plot by June 15th, 2019; ● Weed my plot and keep paths clear; ● Pick up garbage and litter in the community gardens; ● Help to maintain the overall appearance of the garden; ● Refrain from using chemicals (pesticides/herbicides) in the allotment and community gardens; ● Attend community garden meetings and work parties; ● Encourage and welcome new folks to become involved and refer them to the WRA CGC to register; ● Clean up my plot by the second week in October and make it tidy for winter and ● Report any incidents of theft or vandalism it to the committee. Additional rules and conditions pertaining to Allotment Gardeners and our Mission Statement can be found on the Greenspace Committee Page (click on the Community Gardens tab) on the WRA website. Garden Description: Each individual allotment garden is a 4’X8’ raised bed, and the community plots feature two 4’X16’ raised beds. The garden will also feature a native plant and fruit shrub pollinator garden, a composting station and a locked chest for garden tool storage. Water access and hoses will be provided. Questions? Contact the Community Garden Committee at wracommunitygardens@gmail.com or call 204-775-7560 If you are interested in reserving a garden plot, fill out a garden application (available in either Word or Adobe format) and then send a completed application to us via email.
On Tuesday, November 10th, at 7 p-.m. the Wolseley Residents’ Association will host a free online ZOOM presentation on Energy Efficiency for Existing Older Homes:
Zoom Coordinates to Join the Meeting:
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83554725082?pwd=Q25ac01vZEl2U2x2Z3ZSR2UyKzRyZz09 Meeting ID: 835 5472 5082 Passcode: 119742 One tap mobile +15873281099,,83554725082#,,,,,,0#,,119742# Canada +16473744685,,83554725082#,,,,,,0#,,119742# Canada Dial by your location +1 204 272 7920 Canada Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kd1Xid6AIW Join us on Monday Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. for a ZOOM conversation about winter transportation and make your voice heard about the City’s proposed 20 year urban forest strategy.
Meeting Logistics:
Winnipeg’s Office of Public Engagement just launched an online survey, discussion forums and is also offering activities and presentations as part of an effort to solicit public input on a new 20 year urban forest strategy. The window for participation is short - October 8 to Nov 1. While we encourage all of our residents to participate, we also have some important questions about this public engagement and the strategic planning process, and we’d like to hear your thoughts on how we should address them:
At the September 21st meeting of the Wolseley Residents Association, Wolseley resident Dr. Joe Ackerman, a research scientist and Bio-Systems Engineer shared his research on what is happening with plastic waste in Winnipeg and options to improve our situation. The meet was held via Zoom and over 40 residents participated. A recording of the zoom meeting can be accessed by clicking here. Enter this password when prompted: 4!UDBPtr A copy of the powerpoint that Joe presented can be accessed by clicking on the image below: Dr. Joe Ackerman, a Wolseley resident, is a research scientist and Bio-Systems Engineer has been examining both ways to reduce plastic consumption as well as ways to recycle and reuse plastic and other waste. He has lived in Wolseley for over 25 years and has made passive house conversions to his home; eliminating natural gas heat and super insulation relying on scrap wood for heat and his yard is an urban farm.
Topic: Plastic Waste and Recycling Where: Wolseley Residents Association monthly meeting (on-line by Zoom, see below for login information) When: Monday, Sept. 21st, 7 p.m Click below to join the meeting by Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87813674386?pwd=cU02Vk5mVlNXelJMR1ZCMGVSYVlTZz09 Meeting ID: 878 1367 4386 Passcode: 860380 One tap mobile +15873281099,,87813674386#,,,,,,0#,,860380# Canada +16473744685,,87813674386#,,,,,,0#,,860380# Canada Dial by your location +1 204 272 7920 Canada Meeting ID: 878 1367 4386 Passcode: 860380 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdHw13FFQR Workshop Overview:
Dr. Joe Ackerman, a Wolseley resident, is a research scientist and Bio-Systems Engineer who has been examining both ways to reduce plastic consumption as well as ways to recycle and reuse plastic and other waste. He has lived in Wolseley for over 25 years and has made passive house conversions to his home; eliminating natural gas heat and super insulation relying on scrap wood for heat and his yard is an urban farm. He will be sharing his research on what is happening with plastic waste in Winnipeg and options to improve our situation. After the workshop the WRA is open to a working group taking some action to follow-up on the issue. This session is motivated by the increase in plastic use during the pandemic with more food packaging, back sliding on plastic bags, more take out food, and PPE all using plastic. Information links from the Green Action Centre: Here are some resource links regarding plastic: https://greenactioncentre.ca/category/green-your-routine/ https://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/break-free-from-plastic/ https://www.storyofplastic.org/ https://www.storyofstuff.org/ https://pollybarks.com/ http://greenactioncentre.ca/plasticfreejuly Information links from Greenpeace: https://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/act/plasticpolluters2019/ greenpeace.org/canada/en/act/support-complete-single-use-plastic-bans/ https://act.greenpeace.org/page/63162/petition/1?locale=en-US The Wolseley Residents Assocation is hosting its AGM this year COVID style – outside with physical distancing. Come to Vimy Ridge Park Tuesday, August 18 at 7pm with a lawn chair or a blanket. Free ice-cream sandwiches donated by Ruby West Cafe for the first 30 in attendance!!! In the case of rain you can attend by Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85710732338?pwd=SnZ2Z2E5WFhObVUweDFHY0dMR3ZOQT09 Meeting ID: 857 1073 2338 Passcode: 819905 One tap mobile +16475580588,,85710732338#,,,,,,0#,,819905# Canada +17789072071,,85710732338#,,,,,,0#,,819905# Canada Dial by your location +1 204 272 7920 Canada Consider running for one of the open position on the WRA executive:
There will be information about the new WRA Green Space Committee community garden going into Vimy Park. Plus, in response to various local issues this year the meeting features a discussion of community input into decisions about green space. The guests confirmed include:
Come to the Aug. 18 Annual General Meeting of the Wolseley Residents Association (Vimy Ridge Park, Tuesday Aug. 18, 7pm) to find out more about Greenspace issues and opportunities in Wolseley, including a discussion of how we can ensure that changes to greenspace in our neighborhood has public input.
Recent Greenspace Issues: Recently there was the removal of the tot-lot on Westminster near Ethelbert that caught parents and kids by surprise. And the loss of green space at Dominion Park when a lease agreement lapsed and the property changed owners. There is currently riverbank stabilization across the creek and tracks and ongoing changes at Vimy Ridge Park. Over the years Wolseley has had a number of other examples of partnership with the City such as designing Aubrey Park and of course the legendary the proposal for a big bridge across Omand’s Creek. In all of this the common denominator the desire for more community gardens and green space is the community wants to know about plans ahead of time, and the community wants a say in those plans. The World Health Organization [36] recommended the availability of a minimum of 9 m2 of green space per individual with an ideal (urban green space) UGS value of 50 m2 per capita. These statistical values correlate with a number of UGS standards, including: (1) linkages between sustainable cities and better health, (2) core health indicators to monitor progress and identify success, (3) expanding indicators values (e.g., governance indicators, access to health and sanitation services, food markets and urban infrastructure for social, recreation and livelihoods), (4) adding value to health indicators and (5) feasibility of data reporting via cross-cutting issues (e.g., equity, governance and climate change). In retrospect to the amount of greenery and relating UGS availability in cities and urban areas we delineate a linkage between the World Health Organization’s UGS values with a reduced amount of social and environmental discontent. An example of an ideal compact city is Ljubljana, Slovenia, awarded the 2016 European Green Capital, in which almost 560 m2 of UGS is available per inhabitant and virtually all its residential zones lie within a 300 m radius from public green space [41]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6209905/#:~:text=The%20World%20Health%20Organization%20%5B36,50%20m2%20per%20capita. |
AuthorBlogs are by authorized WRA members Archives
February 2021
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