Get Ready to Vote!

Exciting news...BurlingtonGreen has learned that we have been selected to participate in Jamieson Vitamins Call for the Wild! Nation wide contest!

You can learn more about this exciting opportunity on their website and facebook page.

We are the only agency in Ontario participating and in the months ahead we will be growing our campaign so that YOU and all your friends and colleagues can VOTE FOR BURLINGTON when the contest gets underway in mid August 2013.

 Stay tuned for more in the weeks and months ahead!

Protecting Burlington's Trees ...

Did you know that unlike some other municipalities like Oakville and Toronto, Burlington has no bylaw to protect our many beautiful trees located on private properties? 

BurlingtonGreen believes the trees need to be protected NOW, before it is too late. As our City approaches growth capacity, development pressures continue to climb and more trees are being cut down. We are advocating for the establishment of an effective tree private property tree bylaw.

The City of Burlington wants to hear from YOU on this important issue. Click here to learn more about their current Private Tree By-law feasibility review and be sure to speak up for the trees.

Speak up for the trees:

• provide your input to the City of Burlington as part of their current Private Tree By-law feasibility review here.
• share your valuable input with the people of Burlington (send a letter to the Burlington Post )
• share your thoughts on the Mayor's blog here.
• share your concerns with all our city's leaders (phone ,email them all) More here.
• share your thoughts with us and our web visitors by entering your comments in the form fields FURTHER BELOW.
  

WHY WE SHOULD PROTECT OUR TREES....

Here is a letter published on August 22, 2012  in the Burlington Post from BG President Ken Woodruff:

Trees a ‘huge part of city architecture’

BurlingtonGreen is pleased that residents and the Burlington Post have brought back the dialogue on private tree protection in Burlington.

It is apparent to many residents that decisions by former city councils to stop an effective tree bylaw have resulted in too many mature trees being lost. We must ensure city resources are in place to properly manage an effective private property tree bylaw. Trees are a huge part of Burlington’s “architecture” and contribute greatly to our air quality in a time of increasing air pollution. It should be our common priority to invest in trees and to protect them.

We acknowledge private land is a sensitive subject, but we have to look at it in context. Burlington already has many bylaws in place that restrict actions on private property to ensure consistent neighbourhood appeal and to protect the greater community against environmental degradation and financial harm. We argue that if effective tree protection is enacted by council, it will be one of the most significant bylaws we have that offers protection for the environment and property values.

Any reasonable citizen acknowledges the environmental value of trees is extremely significant. We would add the economic benefit of creating this bylaw would also be substantial. Statistics show neighbourhoods with mature trees garner higher selling prices. One homeowner cutting down a large tree can have a direct adverse financial impact on six or more neighbouring homes, not to mention the overall appeal of the neighbourhood. Privacy is another feature that increases home values and large trees can provide 60 per cent more privacy compared to a fence alone.

We urge you to join the dialogue about preserving trees in our city. Please let your councillor know your concerns and/or respond to this letter.

Property owners are stewards of Burlington’s mature trees. No one truly owns them, for they really belong to the community and our future generations.

Ken Woodruff, President BurlingtonGreen

What do YOU think? Let us know by submitting your brief comments at the bottom of this page futher below. Please refrain from including individuals names. Note: BurlingtonGreen will review all incoming comments before posting. Identiified names or offensive statements will not be posted. Thank you very much for sharing your valued input.

Some background info:...

• Members of BurlingtonGreen delegated before members of Council on this issue and the Urban Forest Management Plan at City hall on Wednesday, November 14, 2012. Click here to review a copy of the presentation.

• What was the outcome? Good news: the Mayor and Members of Council agreed to direct staff to advance research on a private tree bylaw in 2013 versus delaying the research until 2016. You can review the City staff report and recommendations to advance research for a private tree bylaw here. Report Appendix document is here.

2010:

After participating in stakeholder workshops and offering input to the development of a proposed Urban Forest Management Plan by the City of Burlington, BurlingtonGreen presented to the Mayor and members of Council at their Community Services Committee meeting on June 23, 2010. To read our presentation, click here. We encourage you to review the UFMP document on the city website.

"The purpose of the Plan is to increase urban forest management effectiveness and efficiency, improve tree health and diversity, minimize risks to the pubic, and maximize the benefits provided by a healthy and sustainable urban forest.

The Draft Plan includes a vision and identifies opportunities on both public and private lands, in urban and rural Burlington focusing on five key areas:

(1) Management and Implementation,

(2) Community Engagement and Stewardship,

(3) Protection and Preservation,

(4) Replenishment and Enhancement, and

(5) Tree Health and Risk Management.

Recommendations for each of these areas have been developed and assigned priorities within the Plan’s 20-year framework, with many targeted for completion during the first five-year period." (City of Burlington)

In 2010 BurlingtonGreen asked the City Forester the following questions:

1. How are trees on private properties currently being protected in Burlington?

Response:  Trees in woodlots of over one hectare fall under Halton Region’s Tree By-law 121-05. This by-law is a tool to prevent the clear-cutting of woodlands and regulates the destruction of trees by requiring good forestry practices during tree harvesting activities. http://www.halton.ca/common/pages/UserFile.aspx?fileId=18412

Through the city’s development process guidelines, private trees are considered for preservation and preservation plans are requested.

Boundary trees are protected under the Forestry Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F. 26

City trees are protected under tree by-law 19-1975. ~ Rick Lipsitt

For more information on the Urban Forest Management Plan Study and how you can share your input contact Rick Lipsitt, City Forester, at 905-333-6145 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

May 16 Successful Gardening for Families

The BurlingtonGreen Go Local Food Network is hosting another terrific series of events in 2013 thanks to all our great program supporters (check out their logos  further below).

Mark the dates ~ participate ~ learn more about why local food matters !

Check them out below......

Successful Vegetable Gardening for Families

Thursday May 16, 7pm, Centennial Hall, Central Library

Featuring Nancy Lee-Colibaba of the Royal Botanical Gardens

Help your family grow fresh veggies with ease and success.

Share a love of outdoor activity, fresh food, and dirty hands. FREE EVENT!

BurlingtonGreen's Eco Film Festival presents "GROW"

Wednesday June 5, 6:30pm doors open, Centennial Hall, Central Library

“Anybody who appreciates the value of good, wholesome food grown close to home, who cares about our food supply and the future of farming will want to see GROW!”

7 pm screening followed by interactive audience discussion. Learn more about BurlingtonGreens Eco-Film Festival here.

Tour Central Park Community & Victory Gardens

Saturday June 23, 12 – 4pm, Community Garden, behind Central Arena  

Learn about community gardens; demonstrative features; discover what fresh food Victory garden volunteers grow and donate to local food banks. Food donations welcome. FREE EVENT! To learn more about the Central Park Community Garden, please click here.

BurlingtonGreen Go Local Food Swap in partnership with Halton Food Swap

Tuesday September 10, 7pm, Centennial Hall, Central Library 

If you grow, cook, bake, preserve and love to share your recipes and explore new ones a food swap is for you. FREE EVENT!

You can see & download a poster of our awesome line-up of 2013 Go Local Food Network events here!

Information about 2013 events arlready held is further below.

Go Local Food Network 2013 Events already held include.....

Community Seed Exchange & Central Park Community Garden Plot Application Launch

Tuesday February 19, 6pm, Holland Room & Centennial Hall, Central Library

Share, buy, learn, plan and dream of scrumptious healthy fresh food to grow this season.

Speakers, seed vendors and interesting gardening exhibitors. FREE EVENT!

Congratulations Amy!

BurlingtonGreen is proud to announce that our very own Executive Director, Amy Schnurr (third from left) has been recognized as one of  "Burlington's Best" for the Environmental category. Amy was recognized for her valuable contributions to improve the health of the planet locally at the awards celebration held on May 9, 2013.

Here are some of the reasons why Amy is worthy of this special recognition....

"As someone who is operating from outside of the community (as a funder to local community organizations) and has the opportunity (luckily!) to get a good bird's eye view of what is happening in the environmental community around the City of Burlington and the Region of Halton, I am one person that is privileged enough to be able to deal with and work with one of your outstanding citizens in the city, Amy Schnurr.

I have personally followed and witnessed the success and growth of BurlingtonGreen from its early years, and as a funder, has been so proud of their outstanding work and accomplishments to date. No wonder BurlingtonGreen was considered as one of the Ontario Trillium Foundation's Great Grants 2010 nominee in the whole province. I have no doubt in my mind that the success, value and impact of the work of Burlington Green in the community can be significantly attributed to the vision, competence and hard work of Amy!....

In Amy and on her leadership of BurlingtonGreen, she has made the City of Burlington shine and known for its environmental commitment and efforts....." Sincerely, Gilmar Militar, Regional Program Manager, Central West, Ontario Trillium Foundation

"Amy has tackled many environmental issues with integrity, perseverance and tenaciousness. There are many times where she has raised issues and awareness with others; the outcomes have not always been positive. She always remains upbeat & professional, and does not let setbacks diminish her spirits.   Amy believes in cooperation and readily believes that through teamwork much can be accomplished. She is consistent in her hard work and dedication....Amy has proven that as an individual, it is entirely possible to make a difference. We are lucky to have someone so dedicated to championing positive environmental change". Susan Fraser and Michelle Bennett, BurlingtonGreen Environmental Association

"Her leadership role in building the organization and establishing its credibility in the community deserves recognition. BurlingtonGreen has become a necessary and vital part of the Burlington community and civic life with a broad based network of programs and initiatives. The successes of this organization reflect the effective work of Amy Schnurr...Burlington is a better place because of the work of Amy Schnurr. I strongly support her nomination for this Environmental Award". Yours sincerely,Walter Mulkewich

"The name “Amy Schnurr” is synonymous with the environmental group known as BurlingtonGreen. Amy has been involved with BurlingtonGreen (BG) from its inception in 2007. Under Amy’s leadership as Executive Director, BG has accomplished much to make our City a more environmentally aware and responsible community. She works tirelessly to meet this goal. To name all her accomplishments would fill a book .." Kurt Koster - Founding President of BurlingtonGreen

The 2013 Eco-Film Festival is here!

Popular Film Festival Returns: Don't Miss Out !

BurlingtonGreen in partnership with the Burlington Central Library is pleased to present the 2013 Eco-Film festival.

Watch ~ Learn & Take action provides a valuable opportunity for audiences to learn about global environmental issues by watching award winning documentaries and then sharing ideas on how the issues can be addressed locally.

Each event will include a film presentation, complimentary refreshments, a free  eco –prize raffle and engaging audience discussion on how global issues can be tackled locally.

• All films are shown at Central Library (2331 New Street, Burlington).

Thank you to those who attended the presentation of the  Academy award winning film" The Cove" on May 9, 2013.

Inspired to take action?

Click here to learn ideas and opportunities for you to speak up and take action.

 Our next film presentation will be "GROW" on June 5.

You can download the "GROW" event poster here

Check out the trailer & we hope yo see you on June 5th!

CHECK OUT  OUR AMAZING LINE-UP OF FILMS FOR 2013 BELOW...

To see the 2013 Eco-Film Festival poster in PDF, click here.