Mark your calendars! With support from Councillor Riley Brockington, CAFES is organizing an exciting talk on Invasive Plant Species at the River Ward Earth Day Event on Saturday, April 18th 2026 at the Hunt Club Riverside Park Community Centre, 3320 Paul Anka Drive.
While the Earth Day event will be going on from 11am - 3pm and will include a series of different talks, events, refreshments and community tables, the Invasives Species talk will take place from 1:30 - 2:45pm in the Kathy Ablett Room at the Community Centre.
The talk will feature four different local speakers who are experts on identifying and managing invasive plants and replacement planting. Topics covered will include learning what they key species of concern are in the Ottawa area, how to identify them, how you can get more involved either in your community or at your own home in removing them, and replacing invasives with native perennial and pollinator-friendly plants that enhance our local biodiversity. We will have a Q&A session with the speakers, provide some helpful resources to take home, and light refreshments will be available.
You won't want to miss it! RSVP at the button below, or scan the QR code on the postcard.
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Volunteer Call Out - CAFES is looking for volunteers who would be interested in helping to staff the CAFES information table at the Earth Day event, which will be set up for the entirety of the event from 11am - 3pm. Tabling will involve standing by our booth, speaking to attendees about the work we do at CAFES, and handing out resources. We kindly ask that volunteers can commit to a 2 hour minimum shift. However you are welcome to volunteer for longer if you are available!
If interested in volunteering, or if you have questions about the invasive species talk, please email Erica at eshardlow@cafesottawa.ca
CAFES member World-Changing Kids has put together a petition calling on the Government of Canada to revoke the licensing of the proposed Near Surface Disposal Facility (NSDF), an above-ground nuclear waste facility at Chalk River.
The NSDF would allow Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) to dispose one million cubic metres of radioactive waste only 1km away from the Ottawa River, presenting significant threats to the health of nearby wetlands, many endangered and at-risk species, drinking water, and the rights of the Kebaowek First Nation, who has led a series of judicial reviews against the NSDF with several significant wins.
The World-Changing Kids petition already has over 500 signatures, and every one counts! They are currently in talks with the office of MP Leah Gazan, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre, to get her to read the petition in the House of Commons. They are also working with Justin Roy, Councillor at Kebaowek, on developing a presentation for kids and adults to present to their schools, workplaces and communities with calls to action to sign the petition and write a letter to the Prime Minister.
Most recently, David Suzuki and Tara Cullis signed the petition at their Stronger Together tour in Ottawa (see photo below)! CAFES attending this wonderful event along with many of our network members.
World-Changing Kids is showing that children and youth have the power to make the world a better place - not just in the future, but right now. Their inspiring efforts aim to ensure that we get the best solutions for the storage of our nuclear waste while protecting water, wildlife and Indigenous rights.
You can read the petition in full below, and be sure to sign it by clicking the button.
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Petition to the Government of Canada
Whereas:
We, the undersigned, residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to issue a directive under Section 19 (1) of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act to order the CNSC to revoke the licensing of the NSDF at Chalk River.
ACORN is calling on residents to sign their petition in support of climate justice for Ottawa renters.
As Ottawa continues to experience more severe weather events, hotter heatwaves, colder winter storms, and worse air quality, low-income community members and renters are at a greater risk. Tenants often have little control over climate resilient or energy efficient home measures and often face improperly heated or cooled homes, old and broken appliances and drafty windows.
By implementing the following measures laid out in ACORN's petition, the City could make tenants' homes more comfortable, safe and affordable, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions:
The Eastern Synod Climate Justice Committee has launched a “Call for Climate” campaign during the season of Lent (February 18 to April 2), encouraging individuals to contact federal leaders and advocate for the phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies in Canada. The initiative frames Lent as a time not only for personal reflection but also for collective action, calling for a shift away from continued public investment in fossil fuels, which totalled nearly $30 billion in 2024 despite national climate commitments.
As part of the campaign, participants are invited to call the office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to express support for ending fossil fuel subsidies and advancing a more sustainable economy. The goal is to generate consistent daily outreach throughout Lent and build enough momentum to elevate the issue at the federal level.
Visit the Climate Justice page of the Eastern Synod website for more information and resources to participate in this initiative.
The City of Ottawa is looking for your input! The Strategic Initiative Department's Climate Change and Resiliency Services are currently collaborating with the Office of Emergency Services to develop a new Extreme Weather Preparedness Pilot Grant Program that will aim to improve the abilities of local communities to prepare for, and recover from, extreme weather events.
This new grant program is coming as part of the City's Climate Resiliency Strategy and 5-year action plan, entitled Climate Ready Ottawa (CRO), which was approved by Council in November 2025.
The grant will provide funding for communities to acquire emergency equipment, services and supplies - such as non-perishable food, battery packs, tools, machinery, training, preparedness plans, and more. Eligible communities will need to be located in Ottawa, have a governance structure, a decision-making body, and liability insurance. This may include registered charities, small non-profit organizations, faith-based groups, condo boards or community/citizen associations.
Want to have your say in this new program? Reply to the Survey on Engage Ottawa!
The survey closes on Friday, April 3, 2026 at 5pm. It will take 15-20 minutes to complete. Questions can be directed to climatechange@ottawa.ca.
Climate and Your Cash – Orléans is coming up soon, and we’d love to see you there! After the strong turnout and thoughtful conversations at last year’s events in the Glebe and Kanata, it is evident that people are eager for practical, values-aligned ways to respond to climate change - specifically when it comes to their money.
Join us on Saturday, March 7 2026 from 10am - 12:30pm at école secondaire publique Gisèle-Lalonde (500 Millennium Boulevard) for an engaging event that explores how climate change affects your personal finances, and how your financial choices can support climate solutions without compromising financial security. From climate-aware banking and investing to insurance in a changing climate, this session is designed to make complex topics accessible and actionable.
On the Agenda:
10:00 - 10:20am Chantal Boudreau, Convent Glen Orleans Wood CA: Admissions + Welcome & Land Acknowledgement
10:20 - 10:30am Jeremy Colbeck, Angela Plant: Lived experience on divesting personal finances & banking from fossil fuel companies
10:30 - 10:50am Nicolas Demeulenaere: Climate-aware Investment Strategies for your Personal Finances
10:50 - 11:05am Liv Gauthier LLQP, OTL, MFD, Co-operators Insurance: Insuring Against Extreme Weather
11:05 - 11:25am Moderator-led Q&A on Investment Strategy Session
11:30 - 11:50am Marion Siekierski, OREC: Local Investment Product - Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-operative
11:50am - 12:10pm Sarah Button, Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation, Mike Bulthuis, Ottawa Community Land Trust: Local Investment Product - 2025 Housing Forever Bonds
12:10 - 12:30pm Information Tables & Mingling
12:30pm Event Closing
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Climat et votre argent - Orléans arrive très bientôt, et nous serions ravis de vous y voir! À la suite de la forte participation et des échanges riches lors des événements tenus l’an dernier dans la Glebe et à Kanata, une chose est claire : les gens recherchent des façons concrètes et alignées avec leurs valeurs de répondre aux changements climatiques - en particulier lorsqu’il s’agit de leurs finances.
Joignez-vous à nous le samedi 7 mars, de 10 h à 12 h 30, à l’École secondaire publique Gisèle-Lalonde (500, boulevard Millennium) pour un événement stimulant qui explorera les effets des changements climatiques sur vos finances personnelles, ainsi que les moyens par lesquels vos choix financiers peuvent soutenir des solutions climatiques sans compromettre votre sécurité financière. De la banque et de l’investissement climato-responsables à l’assurance dans un climat en évolution, cette séance est conçue pour rendre ces sujets complexes accessibles et concrets.
Ordre du jour:
10:00 - 10:20am Chantal Boudreau, l'Association communautaire Convent Glen Orleans Wood (CGOW): Admissions + Accueil et reconnaissance du terrain
10:20 - 10:30am Jeremy Colbeck, Angela Plant: Finances personnelles auprès des entreprises de combustibles fossiles
10:30 - 10:50am Nicolas Demeulenaere: Stratégies d'investissement conscientes du climat pour vos $ personnelles
10:50 - 11:05am Liv Gauthier, Co-operators Insurance: Assurer contre les conditions météorologiques extrêmes
11:05 - 11:25am Session de questions-réponses sur la stratégie d'investissement
11:30 - 11:50am Marion Siekierski, OREC: Produit d'investissement local - Coopérative d'énergie renouvelable d'Ottawa
11:50am - 12:10pm Sarah Button, Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation, Mike Bulthuis, Ottawa Community Land Trust: Produit d'investissement local - Obligations Housing Forever 2025
12:10 - 12:30pm Tables d'information et Métissage
12:30pm Clôture de l'événement
You are invited to CAFES 2026 AGM and Keynote Speaker Event!
RSVP here to receive your zoom link.
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 starting at 6:30pm
The event will start with a keynote speech from Katharine Hayhoe, a world-leading climate scientist, award-winning communicator, and author, on the topic of 'Climate Science: What's New?' This portion of the event is open to the public and will be followed by the CAFES 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM).
In the AGM Business Meeting portion of the event, CAFES members will discuss and vote on important motions for the year ahead. Members as of 11:59 PM on March 22, 2026 will be able to vote at the meeting.
Draft Agenda:
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Keynote Speaker Event and Q&A (open to tho the public)
Katharine Hayhoe, Keynote Speaker
Angela Keller-Herzog, Moderator, Executive Director CAFES Ottawa
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM AGM Business Meeting (CAFES Members)
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@cafesottawa.ca
We look forward to seeing you on March 24th!
Microplastics are everywhere! We’re all too familiar with the countless reports highlighting how it’s present in our air, water, soil, and even in our bodies. For Ottawa residents, the impacts of this widespread pollutant is ever-present in our communities, especially in our beloved Ottawa River. We acknowledge that microplastic pollution is a major challenge, but like most environmental issues, the problem can seem too overwhelming to solve… or is it?
Introducing Filter Forward, a community-based service project whose aim is to address microplastic pollution in our beloved city through three main approaches:
This is a Canada Service Corps-based initiative supported by Waterlution’s Youth 4 Resilient Communities Cohort 2 program.
Filter Forward is looking for opportunities to table at events within the community in order to deliver on these objectives. If you’re interested in hosting us or learning more about the initiative, please contact Vanessa Fiore at fiorevanessa3@gmail.com.
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - Ottawa Valley Chapter (CPAWS-OV), new CAFES member and Canadian charity dedicated to protecting Canada's public lands and waters, is organizing an important campaign to protect the National Capital Greenbelt. Keep reading to find out how you can take action and get involved in this movement!
The Greenbelt, one of the largest in the world at over 20,000 hectares, includes rich ecosystems home to over 60 at-risk species, contributing to farmland, trails, and opportunities for community members to get outside and spend time in nature. It was established in the 1950s, and is predominantly owned by the National Capital Commission (NCC). Notable areas in the Greenbelt include the Mer Bleue Bog, Green’s Creek, Pine Grove, Southern Farm and Pinhey Forest, Stony Swamp and Shirley's Bay.
However, the Greenbelt remains largely unprotected and is consistently under threat from encroaching roadways and development. CPAWS-OV is working with local groups to ensure this area is given the protection it deserves, for the benefit of both people and the environment.
As part of their campaign they have been actively:
CPAWS-OV has also been pushing to obtain National Urban Park status for the Greenbelt, but have been informed that will not be possible for the time being. In the meantime, they are striving to ensure the Greenbelt’s borders are protected by legislation against encroachment.
CPAWS needs your help with entering petition data and to canvas for petition signatures. They are also looking for photos and videos of people describing what they love about the Greenbelt to grow the momentum. If you'd like to be more heavily involved in the campaign, they are looking for individuals to join the National Capital Greenbelt Committee. Send Maggie an email at greenbelt@cpaws.org to get started!
CPAWS has been gathering signatures and will soon be setting up an e-petition to show parliament how much the people of the Ottawa region love the Greenbelt. Make sure to stop by the office at 276 Boulevard Saint-Joseph, Suite 201 Gatineau to sign in-person, or sign up to the newsletter to find out when the e-petition goes live.
All donations are greatly appreciated and go a long way in ensuring CPAWS can continue to fight for protection of the Greenbelt. Follow this link, set up a one time or monthly donation and write 'Greenbelt Campaign' when prompted to support this important cause.
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For more information, visit the Greenbelt Campaign on the CPAWS website.
You can also check out the National Capital Commission Greenbelt Master Plan, which will soon be renewed. CPAWS is looking to be included in the renewal process.
Participez à Climat et votre argent (Orléans) le 7 mars, de 10 h à 12 h 30, à l'École secondaire publique Gisèle-Lalonde, pour une session inspirante consacrée aux liens entre climat et finances personnelles.
Cette série de conférences réunit des experts en finance, en assurance et en investissement local afin de partager des stratégies pratiques et adaptées au climat pour les personnes à toutes les étapes de la vie, du début de carrière jusqu’à la retraite. Au programme : présentations dynamiques, période de questions, tables d’information et réseautage autour d’un café et de biscuits offerts par des entreprises locales. Apportez votre tasse réutilisable !
Cet événement est le fruit d’un partenariat entre l’Association communautaire de la région d’Avalon (GACA), l’Association communautaire de Convent Glen Orléans Wood (toutes deux membres du nouveau sous-caucus CAFES Orléans), l’Association communautaire de Glebe et CAFES. Le projet bénéficie d’une subvention du Programme de subventions aux projets communautaire liés à l'environnement (PSPCE) de la Ville d’Ottawa.
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Come to Climate & Your Cash (Orléans) on March 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at École secondaire publique Gisèle-Lalonde, for an inspiring session exploring the links between climate change and personal finances.
This speaker series brings together experts in finance, insurance, and local investing to share practical, climate-aware strategies for people at every life stage, from early career to retirement.On the agenda: engaging presentations, a Q&A period, information tables, and networking over coffee and treats provided by local businesses. Bring your reusable mug!
This event is a partnership effort between Greater Avalon Community Association, Convent Glen Orléans Wood Community Association (from the dynamic CAFES Orleans sub-caucus), the Glebe Community Association and CAFES. The project benefits from a grant from the City of Ottawa's Community Environment Project Grant Program (CEPGP).
