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General meeting – January 20, 2025

Published on:

February 28, 2025

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GREENSPACE ALLIANCE OF CANADA’S CAPITAL

Greenspace Watch
Monthly General Meeting
MINUTES

Meeting:
Online
Meeting date:
January 20, 2025

Members present: Paul Johanis (chair), Nicole DesRoches, Erwin Dreessen, Iola Price, Tony Keith        

1. Adoption of the agenda

The proposed agenda was agreed upon, with the addition of item 2f, Treasurer’s report.

Moved by Erwin, seconded by Iola. Approved.      

2. Administrative items

a. Minutes of December 16 2024 meeting (for approval)

Moved by Erwin, seconded by Jason. Carried.

b. Website report

Paul reported that the final deliverable regarding the development of the new website, the delivery of a series of training videos, has now been completed. Some operational considerations remain to be resolved, in particular regarding the timeliness of the publication of information about each monthly general meeting. The automation system of the new website is triggered by the publication of the approved minutes, which only occurs one month later at the following general meeting. At that time, a newsletter is sent to subscribers with links to select key items that were discussed. (Some members reported not receiving this newsletter and Paul committed to investigate the matter.) But this leaves quite a time gap between the event and the reporting. As attempts to publish more timely highlights of the meetings in the past have not been sustained, the question arose about the advisability of sending the draft minutes to subscribers soon after meetings. After some discussion, it was agreed to give this a try, with Paul committing to produce the draft minutes within one week after the meeting.

Action: Paul to produce draft minutes of monthly meetings within one week after the meeting and sending them to GA subscribers.

c. Association reports

The POP coalition, led by POP members Just Foods and CAFES, will hold a workshop on Greening and Community Gardens on February 8, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Trinity United Church (Maitland Ave). It is geared toward community groups and organizations with expertise in the domain from across the city. A second event will be held in March more geared toward residents. All of this is in preparation of the consideration by the Community and Social Services Committee of the Community Gardens Action Plan at their March meeting.  

d. Membership report

Paul reported that William van Geest has applied for membership with the Greenspace Alliance and paid the membership fee. As required by our bylaw, his application was submitted for review and approved by all present, which included a quorum of the Board of Directors.

e. Priorities for 2025

As in previous calendar years, members considered possible priorities for 2025 at this first meeting of the year. Paul proposed the following suggestions:

  1. The Poets’ Pathway
  2. Heritage Trees
  3. Rural greenspace conservation
  4. The Urban Forest and Greenspace Master Plan
  5. More focus on promotion and development of greenspace  

While the rural greenspace conservation item was considered too broad and should be further specified, these priorities met with general favour and were retained as guidance for 2025.

f. Treasurer’s report:

Paul reported that our annual subscription for Zoom was up for renewal, in the amount of $242.84. The amount has been paid but the reimbursement was not addressed at the meeting and will be deferred to the next meeting.

Policy Instruments

3.

  1. Tree Protection By-Law

    Paul reported on a correspondence exchange with Martha Copestake of the Natural Systems unit at City Hall concerning a Heritage Tree bylaw. She confirms that considering such a bylaw is still in their work program but was not included in the current four-year planning period. Rather, it will be included with other outstanding items from the Urban Forest Management Plan in the next planning period starting in 2027. Meanwhile she has given some thought and has some ideas about it and would be open to further discussion on this subject.

    Action: Paul to follow up with Martha to set up a discussion on a Heritage Tree Bylaw.

Threats and Opportunities

4.

  1. RURAL

    Ferry Road acquisition

    City purchase of 5689 Ferry Road for conservation purposes, ARAC January 23

    On December 3, the Finance and Corporate Services Committee approved a staff recommendation to purchase a 223-acre greenspace with frontage on the Ottawa River near Fitzroy Harbour for conservation purposes. The item will also be considered by ARAC at the January 23 meeting and our understanding is that considerable opposition is expected from members of that committee. Our position is that this is a fantastic opportunity to add to the public greenspaces that dot the shore of the Ottawa River west of Shirley’s Bay and should be acted upon swiftly by the City. Members agreed that we should delegate at the upcoming ARAC meeting in support of the staff recommendation.

    Action: Paul is to prepare a submission to ARAC and register as a speaker on behalf of the Greenspace Alliance at the meeting.

  2. MAJOR URBAN

    POETS PATHWAY

    Members of the Rideau Trail Association, the Greenspace Alliance and the Poets’ Pathway have continued to meet and move forward the plan to restore and reinvigorate the Poets’ Pathway. One member has circumnavigated the entire course on bicycle and registered the GPS coordinates of the entire pathway. This is an important step that will enable the uploading of the walking trail to well known trail websites like AllTrails and Ontario Nature Trails.

  3. Centenary Elm, Parliament Hill

    We have received a response to our enquiry on the status of the plan to clone scions from the Parliamentary Elm that was removed in 2019 for replanting on Parliament Hill at a future date. As it turns out, 8 saplings were successfully cloned. Six were returned to Parliament Hill and two were retained in Guelph for scientific research. Last May, Parliamentarians approved the planting of six saplings on the eastern slopes of Parliament Hill. Hopefully these will flourish and propagate so that mature elms will once again grace the Hill. With this happy ending, it was agreed that the full story of the Parliamentary Elm should be told.

    Action: Paul to contact media to elicit interest in this story.

     

  4. OTHER

    Concord Tree

    Old Ottawa East Survey on tree protection fund

    We have heard that the Old Ottawa East Community Association is canvassing its members on whether they would support the establishment of a tree defense fund for their community. There is much concern for the ongoing tree loss to development in the neighbourhood and the lack of resources to effectively counter it.

The Meeting adjourned at 8:44.

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The Greenspace Alliance works with community organizations and individuals to preserve and enhance natural areas in the National Capital area, including public and private green spaces, wetlands and waterways.
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