Oakvillegreen

2011:

Provincially

• Helped Meaford citizens stop an incinerator proposal.
• The 22 member groups Ontario Zero Waste Coalition, founded by Liz Benneian, held a press conference at Queen’s Park to announce their opposition to any plans by Energy Minister Chris Bentley to include energy produced from burning municipal waste in Ontario’s Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) program. Not only would a focus on waste reduction and resource recovery be better for the environment and human health, it would also foster job growth. Incinerators were not included in the new Feed-In-Tariff Program.
• Met with Ministry of Environment staff re. lack of coherent, effective Provincial waste reduction and diversion policies and legislation.
• Fought the building of a new, $16 billion 400 series mega highway that would run from Fort Erie to Vaughan, crossing the Niagara Escarpment and destroying valuable foodlands and sensitive environmental lands in north Halton.Instead, as part of the Stop The Escarpment Highway Coalition, we advocated for a comprehensive, sustainable, multi-faceted transportation plan for Ontario.
• Delivered Organize To Win seminars to a dozen grassroots groups around the Province.
• Attended the Ontario Urban Forest Conference where past president Liz Benneian was a guest speaker.

Locally

• Found homes for about 440 saplings of the 260-year-old Great White Oak on Bronte Road grown from acorns Oakvillegreen collected in 2009. Through the community’s generosity in buying these saplings and our donations to Conservation Halton and the Town of Oakville, we preserved  the genes of this magnificent tree.
• Made recommendations about the Town’s Wildlife Policy, Active Transportation Master Plan, Urban Forest Management Strategy, North Oakville Trails Plan and various site plan applications.
• Provided dozens of Environmental Education Programs, based on the Ontario Science Curriculum to thousands of students in private and public schools around Halton.
• Consulted with half a dozen schools on tree planting, renaturalization of school grounds and creating outdoor classrooms and we have taken several groups on Urban Forest Tours.
• Planted 1,000 native trees and shrubs for a total of over 12,000 around the community since 2004 and worked with schools and our Tree Foster Parents on tree seed propagation and sapling growing.
• Sponsored several film screenings and information nights.
• Hosted our annual Urban Forest celebration that celebrated local tree heros.
• Hosted the 7^th Annual Giant Community Garage Sale.
• Our Biodiversity Group has organized two hikes through Sixteen Mile valley.
• Failed to get hydrofluorosilicic acid removed from Halton Region’s water. Regional Council was wrong to continue water fluoridation when it hasn’t been proven to be either safe or effective, especially since safer, more effective ways to use fluoride are available to anyone who brushes with a fluoride toothpaste. We will take up this issue again when a new Regional Council is elected in 2014.
  
  Awards
  

  • Oakvillegreen board member Diane Burton wins an Oakville Spirit Award for her contributions to the community.
    
    Funding
    

    • Received a $10,000 grant from Earth Day Canada’s Community Program for our Growing The Urban Forest Program and received at $61,000, two-year grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to hire a manager of Public Education and Communication.

  
  2010:
  
  Nationally and Internationally
• signed on to a number of petitions to protect forests, water, advance the cause of Zero Waste, control tar sands development, reduce carbon emissions etc.
• Currently working with people across the country to form Zero Waste Canada.

• Participated in the WDA review
• authored letter on Zero Waste signed on to by 14 groups across the Province
• met with Toronto Star’s Editorial Boardfought against the Mid-Pen hwy in Niagara that was eventually droppednow fighting against plans to put new highways through NHS and Niagara escarpment in Halton
• spoke at a Queen’s Park rally against incineration.

• been relatively quite on the Regional front though now that we’ve stopped plans to trench a sewer through the biggest part of Glenorchy we are trying to stop Burnhamthorpe Road being exntended through the most sensitive parts of Glenorchy. Also, will be working on ending fluoridation of the Region’s water.
  
• Local Level
  • Bringing the Community Together: Multicultural./multi-faith meetings, also had meetings with school board officials to try and strengthen relationship with the board.
  • Awards: I received an award from the Ontario Heritage Trust for my work in preserving the Province’s natural heritage and Diane Burton won a Spirit Award for contributions to the community as a volunteer with Oakvillegreen.
  • Events: Hosted Heritage Tree Awards, had the Hanlon Creek defenders come to speak, held an All Candidates Meeting, held an Greenbelt 5th Anniversary Party, held Community Garage Sale, hosted international expert on fluoride Dr. Pal Connett, attended the recent Sustainability Conference in Guelph and the Urban Forest Conference in Thorold
  • Participation in Community events: Ecofest, Midnight Madness, Oakville Conserves, Earth Day at Town Hall, had a booth for a week at Silver City.
  
  Campaigns
  • Participated in planning for Glenorchy Conservation Area and saw good plans approved
  • participated in Wildlife policy development meetings and are launching a committee to keep an eye on it
  • launched our Fluoride Campaign
  • did TV interviews with local COCECO shows.
  Participation in Town Committees
  • Liz Benneian sat on Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Sustainability
  • several of our members including Board member John McMullen sat on Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Trails
  • board member Diane Burton sits on the Environmental Strategic Plan Committee
    
  • Board member Enver Domingo sits on the Parks Committee
  • Liz Benneian have also been part of a committee looking at plastic bags and water bottles.
  • Liz Benneian have given "Organize to Win" seminars (helping other groups to become effective advocates) in eight communities so far this year and have one more to go.
• Funding
  • received a $2,500 grant from Mountain Equipment Coop that allowed Liz Benneian to offer more "Organize To Win" seminars.

2009: BUILT CAPACITY IN OTHER GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY GROUPS THROUGH "ORGANIZE TO WIN" SEMINARS

Oakvillegreen recognized that in order to be successful, grassroots community groups needed to learn how to: organize; develop strategies and tactics; understand politicians and bureaucrats; become effective advocates; and keep their organizations strong. To that end, our president created a half-day seminar called Organize to Win which she has given to groups in communities all over Ontario including London, Cobourg, Aurora, Grimbsy and Newcastle. The feedback has been fantastic and many of these groups have now reported wins on their issues in their community. Oakvillegreen is committed to helping other grassroots groups and will continue this outreach in years ahead.

DECEMBER 2009:  REGIONAL COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES NATURAL HERITAGE SYSTEM

Working with other Halton Environmental groups, Oakvillegreen successfully lobbied for a natural heritage system to be a part of the regions' new official plan that will guide development in Halton until 2031.  The NHS, which consists of about 36% of the region's land mass, will protect Halton's natural areas as well as its valuable agricultural lands.


JUNE 2009:  OAKVILLEGREEN'S LIZ BENNEIAN, WINS EARTH DAY CANADA'S HOMETOWN HERO AWARD

Earth Day Canada has announced that Oakvillegreen Conservation Association president Liz Benneian has been selected, from more than 90 nominations from across the country, as the recipient of 2009’s Hometown Hero Award.  The Hometown Heroes Award Program, established by Earth Day Canada in 2004, recognizes and celebrates environmental leaders who foster meaningful, long-term community awareness and action.  The Hometown Heroes Award includes $10,000 in prize money: $5,000 for the award recipient and $5,000 for the environmental organization of their choice. Benneian has chosen Oakvillegreen Conservation Association as the organization of her choice.


APRIL 2009:  HALTON BACKLASH KILLS PROPOSED FREEZE ON FEES

A citizen backlash over "developer welfare" prompted Halton Region Council to back down – unanimously – on a proposal to freeze development charges. Liz Benneian led citizen's reactions at Town meeting and Oakvillegreen members were vocal in the more than 450 emails sent in opposition of proposal to their Councillors and Mayor Rob Burton.

February 2009:  Council listens to residents and stops plan to pave Petro Canada trail


Oakvillegreen helped local residents when, despite the Town's good intentions, the project to pave the Petro Canada trail in Bronte provoked a massive outpouring of complaints.  At the Town meeting, OCA Director Enver Domingo said Oakvillegreen had deep concerns about the impact the construction, particularly excavating the trail and cutting down numerous trees in the process, would have on the local environment.  It is a vital area for migratory songbirds, who depend greatly on some of the affected parkland areas after their long crossing over Lake Ontario.


Winter 2009: Stopped plan to put paved paths  through Natural Heritage System


Oakvillegreen alerted Council to the cost, both fiscally and environmentally, of Parks and Rec's plan to put paved paths throughout the Natural Heritage system. The plan also would have violated the Ontario Municipal Board decision on the lands. The plan has been shelved until Parks and Rec can prove such paths will not damage the Natural Heritage System features or functions.

2008: Tree Protection Bylaw


Fought for and won a tree protection bylaw that will stop developers from clear cutting properties and protect Oakville's valuable mature trees.

2007: Establishment of a Natural Heritage System in North Oakville and Good Planning in new Development North of Dundas


As a result of our appeal of the urbanization plan for 7600 acres in north Oakville, the Town has persevered about 30% of the land as a Natural Heritage System. The system is comprised of environmentally sensitive areas their buffers and linkages that join them together into a system capable of preserving wildlife and plants in a healthy ecosystem. A precedent setting Ontario Municipal Board hearing concluded that this systems approach is how planning "should be done". This will lead to the preservation of more green space throughout Ontario. As well, Oakvillegreen lobbied for a new urbanist approach to development in North Oakville which means a walkable, mixed use, energy efficient, transit-first community. These good planning practices have also been adopted.

2007: Stopping The Incinerator


Oakvillegreen led opposition to Halton Region's plan to spend $800 million to build a polluting incinerator. The Region canceled the plan and is focusing on waste diversion.

2007: Pesticide Bylaw


Working with Gardens Off Drugs, we convinced Council to enact a bylaw that bans the use of cosmetic pesticides in Oakville. The bylaw took effect January 1 2008.

2007: Preserving Old Growth Forest


Oakvillegreen worked to have 24 acres of old growth forest adjacent to Ford Drive preserved. The Province has agreed to turn the land over to Conservation Halton as a new Concervation Area, Wildflower Woods.

2006 & 2007: Helped to Establish Burlingtongreen and Miltongreen


Oakvillegreen helped bring together concerned citizens in Burlington and Milton to found two new environmental and sustainability advocacy groups.

2006: Establishment of Glenorchy Conservation Area


Oakvillegreen lobbied to have Ontario Realty Corporation-owned lands in North Oakville remain in public hands instead of being sold to developers as was planned. In the fall of 2006, the Province announced 650 acres of land would be preserved in a new Conservation Area.

2004 to Present: Planted Trees and Launched Tree Programs


Through the Ground Breakers program, community volunteers have worked with Oakvillegreen to plant more almost 10,000 native trees and shrubs in Oakville since 2004. Last year, Oakvillegreen launched our first Heritage Tree Hunt. This year, Oakvillegreen is launch the Tree Seed Collection Program and the Foster Tree Parent Program. Visit our Tree Initiatives section for more information.

2003: Winning Awards


In 2003 we received the Conservation Award of Excellence from Conservation Halton "in recognition of our outstanding contribution in the Halton Watershed."

2002 – New Initiatives


Several new environmental initiatives resulted out of the appeal of OPA 198 - the urbanization plan for 7600 acres in north Oakville including: the protection of a Natural Heritage System in North Oakville, the establishment of the Town's Environmental Strategic Plan and the establishment of an environmental trust that will fund local environmental initiatives. About 30% of the land in North Oakville has been preserved as a Natural Heritage System. In a precedent-setting ruling in 2007 the Ontario Municipal Board concluded that taking a systems approach to protecting natural features and functions is not only a good idea it’s “the way planning should be done”.

Getting Elected


Three of our founding Directors, Allan Elgar, Mike Lansdown and Renee Sandelowsky, have been elected to local and regional councils.  Although Mike and Renee decided not to stand for re-election, Allan continues to serve on council and has been an active member of Conservation Halton, Credit Valley Conservation, and the Niagara Escarpment Commission.  Allan was awarded the Carolinian Canada Award for “an outstanding contribution towards the protection of the natural diversity and natural habitats of Ontario’s Carolinian Zone.”

Influencing Legislation


Oakvillegreen has input on Provincial Legislation and Town Bylaws. Provincially we have commented on the Greenbelt Plan, the Provincial Policy Statement, the Planning Act, Ontario Municipal Board Reform and the RFP process for new energy generating plants. Regionally we have commented on Halton's Official Plan and Sustainable Halton. Locally we have commented on Oakville's Official Plan, The Environmental Strategic Plan and innumerable development plans and bylaws.

Serving The Community


Oakvillegreen's President and members have served on many boards, committees and advisory groups including the Mayor's Advisory Committee on Sustainability, Mayor's Advisory Group on Trails, Energy Plant Stakeholder Group, the Parks and Open Spaces Advisory Committee, the Pesticide Bylaw, Education Task Force and the Environmental Strategic Plan Implementation Committee.

Raising Awareness


We have raised awareness locally and provincially about environmental issues including urbanization of north Oakville, retaining public ownership of the Oakville Land Assembly (ORC lands), the importance of the Trafalgar Moraine, the Greenbelt Protection Act, Sustainability and Zero Waste.

Helping Other Green Groups


Now that Oakvillegreen has fought and won several battles we are using our expertise to help others. Our president, Liz Benneian, has created a half-day workshop called Organize To Win that she gives free-of-charge to grassroots groups around the Province who want to become more successful in their advocacy efforts. She has worked with groups from Durham, Brantford, Elora, Burlington, Beamsville, Grimsby and Cobourg and she looks forward to helping many more groups in the future. Oakvillegreen also works cooperatively with Halton's other environmental groups and causes, for instance participating in The Great Community Garage Sale with Gardens Off Drugs, participating in the Oakville Community Centre for Peace, Ecology and Human Rights EcoFest.