Hello,

Earlier this past year, I wrote to you about joining CAFES Ottawa to strengthen the voice we have at city hall with regards to environmental, climate and ecological changes that need to happen to make our city a better place to live for future generations to come.

We now have a total of 21 Community Associations as members including the Hunt Club CA, the Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association, and over 35 other groups such as the Ottawa Citizens for Clean Energy, the Ottawa South Eco Action Network (OSEAN) and the Ottawa Stewardship Council.

We're hoping to add your voice to our voice to act on issues such as climate change, greening initiatives, waste disposal, and recycling in Ottawa.

Our members and groups conduct all types of projects ranging from collecting and distributing hundreds of thousands of seeds (Ottawa Wild Seed Library) to planting gorgeous city boulevard gardens (Bel-Air CA) to speaking up at city hall committee meetings (Ottawa South Eco Action Network (OSEAN) and Ecology Ottawa).

CAFES has been working hard to advocate for a better city and future, we’ve attached our 2024 CAFES Impact Report so you can see what CAFES is doing. (Our 2025 Impact Report is being finalized and will be released very soon.)

I know, it's a lot of pressure to say that we hold the key to our grand and great grandchildren’s way of life in 10, 20 and 30+ years from now but we do. If we do not push for change, we will remain the same, which will greatly impact all our future generations for decades to come.

We'd also like to extend you an invite to join us and at our Annual General Meeting on the evening of Tuesday, March 24th, 2026. This would be a perfect opportunity to find out about the benefits of being a CAFES member. The meeting will be virtual via Zoom and will feature Katharine Hayhoe as our world-class keynote speaker! Please register to attend here: cafesottawa.ca/2026-AGM

If you have any questions about CAFES or membership in the network please do not hesitate to contact Mitzi MacDonald, Operations Manager at info@cafesottawa.ca or Harry Fischer, Membership Chair, Board of Directors at hfischer@cafesottawa.ca.

As a part of our outreach, we are willing to come and meet with your executive or your membership to talk about CAFES and how important it is to have a stronger voice at city hall. All you have to do is extend an invite and we'll be there!

I hope you'll consider joining CAFES and adding your voice and concerns to our messaging at city hall.

Harry Fischer
Membership Chair
CAFES Board of Directors

Follow up: Inviation to join CAFES Ottawa and details on our 2026 AGM Event