On Saturday, October 18th, 2025, CAFES, the Mechanicsville Community Association and MP Yasir Naqvi are planting 50 new native tree saplings at our Mother's Day Woods site at Tunney's Pasture! We are looking for volunteers to help out - all are welcome, no prior planting experience required. Planting equipment and snacks will be provided.
Date: Saturday, October 18th, 2025
Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa - we are meeting in the field between Goldenrod Driveway and Kitchi Zibi Mikan, on the North end of the Tunney's Pasture area. We will have signs put up to direct where to go.
Parking: There is a paid visitor parking lot at the corner of Parkdale Avenue and Goldenrod Driveway, near the Brooke Claxton Building. Alternatively, there is street parking on Emmerson Avenue, and on other nearby streets in the Mechanicsville neighbourhood.
This project is part of CAFES' annual Tree Initiative to increase tree canopy in Ottawa neighbourhoods that need trees the most. Read all about the Tree Give-Away we organized earlier this year on Mother's Day weekend to encourage kids and families to plant trees on private properties in the city. This planting event on October 18th is planned as a follow-up activity to support Ottawa residents to participate in tree stewardship.
Thank you to TD Friends of the Environment for your generosity in making this project possible. Thank you to MP Yasir Naqvi for your continued annual partnership with CAFES on tree planting in Ottawa. Thank you to MPP Catherine McKenney for your support towards this event.
-
-
-
On Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025 CAFES hosted a successful in-person community dialogue event in partnership with Councillor Marty Carr on the management of invasive plant species in Ottawa, at the Jim Durrell Recreation Centre in Alta Vista. Thank you to Councillor Carr for your generous support towards this event, and thank you as well to Councillors Brockington, Menard, Hill, Johnson and Curry for your sponsorship.
This dialogue event followed Councillor Carr's staff inquiry at the February 18th, 2025 Environment and Climate Change Committee (ECCC) meeting to review the City's invasive species programming and community stewardship opportunities. Staff released a report in July 2025 outlining existing invasive species efforts, and plans to hire a new temporary staff position to focus on invasives programming, mapping and reporting, as well as community/stakeholder relationships. This item came to the September 16th ECCC meeting agenda, where CAFES gave a public delegation and presented the outcomes of the September 3rd dialogue.
To follow suit from Councillor Carr's inquiry, the dialogue event gathered community input on invasive species removal/management methods, public education, mapping and tracking, identifying species of concern, volunteer stewardship, and more. We had opening presentations, a community panel, breakout table conversations, table presentations, lunch, and networking.
Below are some of the most widely-shared ideas from the dialogue participants:
At the September 16th ECCC meeting, Councillor Carr gave a direction to staff to consider our report as community input.
Check out our final event report below, which details all the feedback received at the dialogue. You can also see our public delegation presentation, which presented the report. Lastly, you can see the report provided by City staff in response to Councillor Carr's inquiry.
Thank you to all the event volunteers who helped out, and thank you to the participants for sharing your input!
On Saturday, October 18th, the Mechanicsville Community Association in partnership with CAFES volunteers planted over 70 new native tree saplings at our Mother's Day Woods site at Tunney's Pasture! It was a glorious fall day. We were thrilled to share this exciting day with over 30 volunteers. Thank you so much for everyone who came out to help increase Ottawa's urban tree canopy!
This event is part of CAFES' annual tree programming to increase tree canopy in Ottawa neighbourhoods that need it most. Read all about the Give-Away we organized earlier this year on Mother's Day to encourage kids and families to plant trees in backyards.
Thank you to TD Friends of the Environment for your generosity in making this event possible. Thank you to MP Yasir Naqvi for your continued annual partnership with CAFES on tree planting in Ottawa, and to MPP Catherine McKenney for your support towards this event. Thank you to the City of Ottawa CEPGP.
Interested in becoming a tree steward? We are still looking for a few volunteers to return to the Tunney's Pasture planting site periodically to help water the new trees in the spring, summer and fall of 2026 using our on-site water tote. These trees will need weekly waterings next year to ensure their health and survival. If interested, please contact Erica at eshardlow@cafesottawa.ca. A huge thank you to those who have signed up so far.
-
-
Invasive plant species are a serious issue threatening Ottawa's biodiversity and ecosystems. Invasive plant species are classified as non-native plants that have been introduced, whether intentionally or unintentionally, from other geographical regions that outcompete native vegetation.
Invasive species are problematic not just because they outcompete native plants, but because native wildlife - including pollinator insects and birds - do not naturally use them for food and habitat. Since native wildlife evolved to feed off plants that naturally grow in this region, non-natives that have only been introduced relatively recently do not provide the same nutritional value or key characteristics that many wildlife species need to thrive. This threatens the stability of our ecosystem and further endangers at-risk species, such as Bumble Bees and the Monarch butterfly.
On Friday June 27th, Erica Shardlow, the CAFES' Trees and Greenspace Coordinator, was pleased to attend an excellent walk with members of the Ottawa Field Naturalists Club (OFNC) and the Rideau Trail Association. Guide Alan Smith led the group on an informative hike through the Lime Kiln trail while pointing out invasive plants on the rise, some of which are featured below.
Phragmites are a major invasive in Ottawa, reproducing through roots and often seen spreading along waterways. It is being actively controlled in Ontario through conservation authorities, mainly by spraying, as infestations are often extensive. Research has begun to examine biological control methods via two species of moths whose larvae can damage and kill the plant.
Buckthorn is a massive concern due to its aggressive spreading. The two problematic species in Ottawa are Glossy Buckthorn and Common Buckthorn. They are native to Europe, northwest Africa and western Asia and have veiny leaves with round berries that are enjoyed by birds. Interestingly, the seeds in its berries pass through birds' digestive systems unharmed, allowing the seeds to spread widely and rapidly. Several community associations/organizations in Ottawa have been leaders in removing Buckthorn, including Friends of Hampton Park and Action Sandy Hill.
Dog Strangling Vine (DSV) is yet another huge concern due to its ability to spread rapidly and its difficulty to kill. DSV can grow to be 4-5 feet tall by mid-summer, suffocating understory plants and young trees. DSV is actually related to the milkweed family, at times confusing Monarchs who may lay eggs on its leaves, only for the caterpillars to be unable to feed on the plant after hatching. DSV is a priority species that is seeing active removal efforts by the City of Ottawa and Ontario conservation authorities.
This photo below is of Coltsfoot, another invasive that loves gravel and stony areas and is often seen at the edges of car parks. These plants have bright yellow flowers that resemble dandelions. They are native to Europe, and were likely cultivated by settlers for medicinal properties to treat cold, flu, gout, fever and respiratory illness.
Check out the photos below for some of the other invasives we came across on the walk. Other invasives not seen on the trail but discussed on Friday included Norway Maple, Garlic Mustard, Goutweed, Periwinkle, Russian Olive, Wild Parsnip, Japanese Knotweed, and Giant Hogweed.
Many of these species were introduced by European settlers, and many more continue to be spread as a result of globalization and transportation of goods. Invasives can also be spread by everyday human activities - like hitching a ride on the bottom of our hiking boots or by transporting fire wood when we go camping. Boot cleaning stations at trailheads - which include boot brushes to remove mud, seeds and brush, complete with informative signage - are gaining traction in Ontario as one way to minimize spread.
Many community organizations in the CAFES network are actively engaged in invasive species awareness, advocacy and removal - pushing for more community/volunteer stewardship opportunities with the City of Ottawa.
In fact, CAFES is once again partnering with Carleton University for our annual Community Engagement project, and our topic this year is on invasive plant species! If you are from a Community Association and interested in learning more / sharing your knowledge, consider participating - see here for info.
Also be sure to check out the Ontario Invasive Plant Council for a comprehensive species list and in-depth guides on how to remove key species. You can also find information on what's being done, and what you can do.
Mark your calendars - Wild Pollinator Partners will once again be celebrating Pollinator Appreciation Day at Fletcher Wildlife Garden on Saturday, June 7th, and CAFES will be there! Come on out between 10am - 2pm to meet with others who have created pollinator gardens, learn from scientists who study pollinators, and connect with organizations that support pollinator projects.
This year’s theme is "EVERY BIT MATTERS". Simple actions like adding native plants to your garden, removing a hard surface, or waiting a couple of weeks to tidy up your yard in spring and fall can help preserve biodiversity and increase natural habitat.
You'll be able to learn how to plan your own garden to provide flowers for pollinators, find out how to start a pollinator garden at your local school or park, learn to identify invasive species, and tour the Fletcher Wildlife Garden to see pollination in action. Games and crafts will also be available for kids.
A variety of experts and volunteers from local organizations will be there to share information, answer questions, and tell you everything you need to know about helping pollinators.
CAFES will be selling perennial plants and herbs!
CAFES is excited to be in attendance to sell some of our native perennial plants, which attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, other important insects and hummingbirds to your garden. We will have Black-Eyed Susan, Wild Blue Indigo, Wild Bergamot, Purple Coneflower, New England Aster, Joe Pye Weed, Oxeye (False Sunflower), and Swamp Milkweed. We will also have some herbs available for purchase including Lavender, Oregano, Parsley, Tarragon, Sage and Dill. Visit our table on June 7th to get yours, or pre-order HERE to pick-up in advance at 166 Glebe Avenue.
Wild Pollinator Partners are also holding a free raffle at the event to give-away a little something for your garden. They are offering pollinator favourites that are sure to attract bees and butterflies to your yard: Serviceberry tree (small), Red Osier Dogwood, Figwort, Flat-topped Aster, Heart-leaved Aster, and more.
More information about the event is available here. No registration is required to attend. See you there!
Volunteer Call Out - we are looking for a couple volunteers with a vehicle to help with the set-up for the event including loading up supplies starting at 8am, and to stay for the morning of the event to help sell plants and speak to attendees visiting the CAFES table. Please contact eshardlow@cafesottawa.ca if interested.
The Ottawa Stewardship Council has developed a self-guided educational tour about environmental stewardship in the Kanata North hydro corridor in Morgan's Grant.
Available through a locally developed mobile app called Pintales, the GPS-enabled tour leads users to ten stops along a 1.4 kilometer pathway from Goward Drive to Terry Fox Drive. At each location, users can access text, photos, and audio narration to learn about environmental features and simple stewardship actions they can take at home. The tour can be done in any order, but the creators recommend starting at Goward Drive.
The tour can also be accessed through a web browser where the information can be viewed offline.
