From the Ecology Ottawa website: (there are multiple categories for nominations)

In celebration of Earth Day 2024, we at Ecology Ottawa are highlighting the people, places, plants, trees, and animals of Ottawa that inspire our communities to take action, find innovative solutions, and work together to protect our environment. We call on you to nominate members of your community that work hard and inspire others to create change!

Our organization believes that environmental action is for everybody. Your nominee could be a neighbour, teacher, scientist, activist, artist, innovator, policy maker, community or religious leader, or youth. In addition to nominating community members, we call on you to nominate the places, plants, trees, and animals of Ottawa that you cherish and need our protection.

Nominations close April 2, 2024.

Coffee Houses on Sustainability

Join your neighbours from across Ottawa for a coffee and cookie to learn from their experiences when transitioning to a more sustainable lifestyle!

• Saturday February 24 – Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
• Saturday March 24 – Greenspace and Water
• Saturday April 27 – Transportation
• Sunday May 5 – Zero-Waste Living
• Saturday June 8 – Climate Risk – Basement Flooding

The following information was extracted verbatim from the City of Ottawa website on December 29, 2023 [ https://ottawa.ca/en/living-ottawa/animals-and-pets/other-animals#section-0f84b3ae-f121-430b-adbf-f05f29f68836 ]

Coyotes are remarkably adaptable and resourceful animals. They help to maintain the natural balance in landscapes where traditional predators no longer exist. Urban coyotes in particular provide a valuable service to us by helping to control populations of animals that might otherwise become problematic, such as rats and Canada geese. With greater understanding and mutual respect, we can coexist with coyotes.

Conflicts between coyotes and humans often revolve around food. Never feed coyotes! This can cause coyotes to lose their natural fear of humans (a process known as “habituation”), increasing the chance of conflict.

Aggression by coyotes towards humans is extremely rare and almost always involves habituated animals. It is not normal behaviour.

If a coyote approaches you:

• stand tall, wave your arms and shout at it
• do not make direct eye contact, which can be perceived as a threat
• pick up small children (or small pets) to make them appear less vulnerable
• do not turn your back or run – just like dogs, coyotes may chase you if you run
• back away slowly while continuing to shout, wave.

Teach your children to react the same way, and to let you know immediately if they have seen a coyote (keep in mind that small children may not be able to tell the difference between a wild coyote and a neighbourhood dog).

Dealing with coyotes near your home

If you see coyotes near your home, make sure they have no reason to hang around:

• keep pets inside or closely supervised, take down any bird feeders, secure your trash and other attractants (e.g. barbeque)
• let the coyotes know that they’re unwelcome by shouting and waving your arms at them, clanging pots or pans, playing loud music or (if they’re close enough) and spraying them with water from a hose
• homemade rattles made out of empty pop cans and pebbles may also be effective when shaken or tossed towards (not directly at) the coyote
• let your neighbours know what’s going on, so that they can take similar steps
• carry a flashlight when walking at night and avoid wooded areas, especially when there have been coyote sightings.

Coyotes and domestic animals

Coyotes are naturally aggressive towards dogs, which they typically consider either as prey or as competitors. Dogs that are smaller than coyotes are usually seen as prey, and may be attacked at any time of year. Larger dogs are mostly at risk during the coyotes’ breeding season (January-April) due to increased territorialism in defence of mates and pups. Keep dogs on leash when walking them near parks or natural areas, and supervise them closely when letting them out at night.

Who should I call when I see a coyote?

Aggressive behaviour by a coyote towards a human should be reported immediately to the Ottawa Police Service by calling 9-1-1.

If you have been bitten or scratched by a coyote, please call Ottawa Public Health, (or 3-1-1 after hours) to speak with a Public Health Inspector.

All other coyote sightings should be reported to 3-1-1, so the City can track the locations of the animals.

For more information, consult the following links:

• Preventing and managing conflicts with coyotes, wolves and foxes(link is external) (Ministry of Natural Resources)
• Living with Wildlife: Coyotes(link is external) (Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
• Coexisting with coyotes(link is external) (Rideau Valley Wildlife Sanctuary)

Report a coyote sighting in your neighbourhood

The following information was extracted verbatim from the City of Ottawa website on December 29, 2023 [https://ottawa.ca/en/3-1-1/report-or-request/animals-and-pets/report-coyote-sighting-your-neighbourhood ]

Coyotes are usually wary and fearful of humans.  But should you encounter a coyote, follow these important instructions:

• Remain calm and slowly back away from the coyote
• Do not turn your back and run
• Stand tall, wave your hands, and make plenty of loud noises

Report a coyote sighting in your neighbourhood(link is external)

Please note the City utilizes this data to track coyote movements and the creation of a service request does not mean a By-law Enforcement Officer will be dispatched to attend.

If a coyote is posing an immediate threat or danger to the public, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Please refer to the Coyotes page for more information.

We’re looking for Hardware! If you or someone you know is getting rid of building hardware, please contact us at connect@re4m.ca!

To: All Fall Social Donors

On behalf of the Riverview Park Community Association (RPCA), I would like to express our thanks for your generous donation to our November 4 Fall Social and Silent Auction Fundraiser at O’Brien’s Road House. The event was attended by nearly 100 people and raised $5,200 to be divided equally to support the RPCA and Matthew House Ottawa, a local charity that works with refugee claimants from around the world. 

Not only was this event an excellent way for the RPCA to raise some much needed funds for our ongoing operations and community building activities such as winter carnivals and movie nights, it was also a great way to let Riverview Park residents know about the wonderful and supportive  businesses which we have in our community. 

The $2600 that your donation helped raise for Matthew House will directly provide a bed, food and settlement support for 2-3 refugee claimants for an entire month in one of its 14 transitional homes in Ottawa or it will cover the costs to furnish 5 homes for families in need across Ottawa.

The RPCA is working with our community newspaper, the Riverview Park Review, to list and recognize each business which contributed to the Silent Auction and in turn, will give its readership of over 5,000 a reason to patronize businesses which have supported the community. We will also list the  contributing businesses on our website at https://riverviewparkca.com/

Once again, please accept our gratitude for your support.

Ron Ridley, 

President, RPCA

The donors were: 

Mark Anthony Wine and Spirits, Anna Nitoslawska Photo, Atletico Ottawa, Bicycle Craft Brewery, Boogie and Birdie, Books on Beechwood, Bridgehead, Bytowne Cinema, Simply Chiropractic, Chef’s Paradise, Chuck’s Deli (Trainyards), Craig Cormier, Cyco’s Bike Shop, David McGuinty, MP, Decathlon, Eagle Automotive, Elgin Beer Project, Figure 8, France Tailor (Alta Vista Dry Cleaners), Ingenium (Science Museums), John Fraser, MPP, Marty Carr, City Counsellor, Milo’s Pastry, Movati Trainyards, Movies & Stuff, Mynott Construction, Napa Parts Store, O’Brien’s Roadhouse, Ottawa Titans (Baseball), Ottawa Pilates, Pet Valu Trainyards, Carleen Ridley, Ritchie Feed and Seed, Rock’s Barbershop, Sail Trainyards, Scouts Canada, Sonja Payette Realtor, The Standard Tavern, Starbucks Trainyards, Terra 20, Thali Restaurant, Vimy Brewing Company, Zaks Diner (Elgin)

Participants in the Fall Social may be interested in this article from the Ottawa Citizen:

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/a-refugee-gives-back-how-an-ottawa-developer-is-helping-matthew-house-find-homes-for-newcomers