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09 18 2008 OMEGA AgendaTOWNSHIP OF ORO-MEDONTE ORO-MEDONTE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP ADVISORS (OMEGA) MEETING AGENDA COUNCIL CHAMBERS DATE: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2008 TIME: 7:30 P.M. ** The meeting will be digitally recorded ** 1. OPENING OF MEETING: Lead: Mel C. - 1 minute 2. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA: (Motion) Lead: Mel C. - 1 minute 3. DISC<.OSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF: - "IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ACT" - 1 minute 4. MINUTES: Lead: Mel C. - 5 minutes a) Minutes of OMEGA Meeting held on April 17, 2008. (Motion) b) Record of OMEGA Meeting scheduled on June 19, 2008. (Motion) 5. PRESENTATIONS: - 10 minutes a) Susan Leigh, LB Landscaping and Greenhouse, re: Good Stewards of the Earth. (Motion} 6. ITEM FROM PREVIOUS MEETING: Lead: Mel C. - 5 minutes a) Streamline the process for recommendations from OMEGA and the Working Groups. (Motion) 7. UPDATES FROM CO-CHAIRPERSONS: - 5 minutes (Discussion) a) Highlight Key Items. b) Member Updates. 8. WORKING GROUPS UPDATES: Lead: Sandy A. - 30 minutes a) Oro Moraine. i. Oro Moraine Information Day September 23, 2008. ii. Oro Moraine Report Card. b) Growth Issues. c) Habitat. i. Draft Tree By-law. d) Water Quality/Lake Management. i. Minutes of Water Quality/Lake Management Working Group meeting held on May 6, 2008. (Motions) ii. Draft Brochure - "Protecting Your Water & Shoreline Property". (Motion) e) Bass Lake -Sub-Group of Water Quality/Lake Management. f) Sustainable Agriculture. 9. COMMUNICATIONS: Lead: Sandy A. -- 10 minutes a) AMO Blue Box Information. (Motion) b} Morris Gervais, President, Simcoe County Farm Fresh, correspondence dated June 3, 2008, re: Letter of Appreciation. (Motion} c} 2008 Provincial Environmental Advisory Committee Symposium (Oshawa October 3-4, 2008}. (Motion) 10. OTHER BUSINESSIQUESTIONS: Lead: Mel C. - 10 minutes a} Education. b) Bayview Memorial Park Creek Restoration. 11. NEXT MEETING DATE: Lead: Mel C. - 2 minutes a) Suggested date: November 20, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. 12. ADJOURNMENT: (Motion) Lead: Mel C. - 1 minute Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes TOWNSHIP OF ORO-MEDONTE ORO-MEDONTE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP ADVISORS (OMEGA) MEETING MINUTES Thursday, April 17, 2008 ~ 7:04 p.m. Council Chambers Present: Steve Cromwell Meryl Drake David Edwards Ruth Fountain David Kennedy Andria Leigh Lynette Mader Regrets: Bob Barlow John Bosomworth Susan Grant Don Harney Margo Holt Allan Johnson Council/Staff Mayor H.S. Hughes Present: Councillor Sandy Agnew 1. Councillor Agnew called the meeting to order. 2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA: Motion No. OMEGA-080417-1 Josephine Martensson-Hemsted Wilf McMechan Andy McNiven Gerry Murphy Doug Shelswell Beverley Smith Mike Vandergeest Jacinto McNairn Avery Parle Jim Purnell Kim Wand Peter Wigham Jim Woodford Doug Irwin, Clerk Councillor Mel Coutanche Moved by Ruth Fountain, Seconded by Steve Cromwell It is recommended that the agenda for the Oro-Medonte Environmental Group Advisors (OMEGA) meeting of Thursday, April 17, 2008 be received and adopted. Carried. 3. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST & THE GENERAL. NATURE THEREOF - IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ACT: None declared. 4. MINUTES: a} Minutes of GMEGA Meeting held on February 21, 2008. Motion No. OMEGA-08Q417-2 Moved by Andria Leigh, Seconded by Josephine Martensson-Hemsted It is reeammended that the minutes of the Oro-Medonte Environmental Group Advisors ((JMEGA) meeting held an February 21, 2008 be received and adopted. Carried. 5. PRESENTATIONS: a) Sandra Trainor, Project Manager, Simcae County Farm Fresh Marketing Association. Ms. Trainor presented a PowerPoint presentation. Motion No. OMEGA•08Q417.3 Moved by Josephine Martensson-Hemsted, Seconded by Gerry Murphy It is reeammended that the verbal information presented by Sandra Trainor, Project Manager, Simcae County Farm Fresh Marketing Association be received. Carried. Page 2 OMEGA Meeting -April 17, 2008 6. REPORTS: a) Report No. OMEGA 2008-02, Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, re: Preliminary Report for Information to Council. Motion No. OMEGA-080417-4 Moved by Andria Leigh, Seconded by Steve Cromwell It is recommended that 1. Report No. OMEGA 2008-02, Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, re: Preliminary Report for Information to Council be received and adapted. 2. That it is recommended to Council that Ora-Medonte become a member of Simcoe County Farm Fresh (approximate cost - $75 per year). 3. That the Township of Oro-Medonte establish a Website link to Simcoe County Farm Fresh. 4. That the Sustainable Agriculture Working Group explore several other initiatives at its next meeting which include: a) Encourage "value-adding" of downstream food processing industries (baked goods, processed meats, etc.) b) Evaluate the passibility of a viable Farmer's Market for Oro-Medonte, c) Explore a local distribution network to supply local restaurants and institutions. 5. And Further That the Sustainable Agriculture Working Group report back to OMEGA. Carried. b) Repart No. OMEGA 2008-01, Oro Moraine Working Group, re: Preparation of the OMEGA Ora Moraine Report. Motion No. OMEGA-080417-5 Moved by Ruth Fountain, Seconded by David Edwards It is recommended that 1. Report No. OMEGA 2008-01, Oro Moraine Working Group, re: Preparation of the OMEGA Oro Moraine Report be received and adopted. 2. And Further That Council give approval for the Oro Moraine working group to prepare a report as outlined in Report Number OMEGA 2008-01 for OMEGA's review and recommendation to Council. Carried. Page 3 OMEGA Meeting -April 17, 2008 7. WORKING GROUPS -UPDATES AND PROCESS a} Sustainable Agriculture -Update b} Nabitat -Update c} Water QualitylLake Management -Update d} Growth Issues -Update e} Oro Moraine -Update The various groups provided verbal updates. 8. COMMUNICATIONS; a} Sandra Trainor, Project Manager, Simcoe County Farm Fresh Marketing Association, correspondence dated March 20, 2008 re: Application for GrantlSubsidy. Motion Na. OMEGA-080417-6 Moved by Mike Vandergeest, Seconded by David Edwards It is recommended that 1. The correspondence dated March 20, 2008 from Sandra Trainor, Project Manager, Simcoe County Farm Fresh Marketing Association, re: Application for Grant/Subsidy be received. 2. That it is recommended to Council that the Application for GrantlSubsidy submitted by Simcoe County Farm Fresh Marketing Association, in the amount of $625.00, be approved. Carried. b} Wayne Varcoe, correspondence dated March 30, 2008 re: OMEGA Sustainable Agriculture Working Group Request. Motion No. OMEGA-080417-7 Moved by Mike Vandergeest, Seconded by Ruth Fountain It is recommended that 1. The correspondence dated March 30, 2008 from Wayne Varcoe, re: OMEGA Sustainable Agriculture Working Group Request be received. 2. And Further That it is recommended to Council that Wayne Varcoe be appointed as a Member of the OMEGA Sustainable Agriculture Working Group. Carried. Page 4 OMEGA Meeting -April 17, 2008 9. OTHER BUSINESSIQUESTIONS a) Councillor Coutanche, Improve the Process to Streamline 1. The Approval of Working Groups Reports (recommendations to Council) by OMEGA. 2. Informing Council and Staff of the activities of OMEGA and Working Groups. Motion No. OMEGA-08041?-8 Moved by Lynette Mader, Seconded by Doug Shelswell It is recommended that the verbal information presented by Councillor Coutanche, re: Improving the Process to Streamline the Approval of Working Groups Reports (recommendations to Council) by C?MEGA be received. And That Councillor Coutanche make recommendations to Council on Improving the Process to Streamline the Approval of Working Group Reports (recommendations to Council} by OMEGA. Carried. 10. ANNOUNCEMENTS a) April 22, 2008 Earth Day. b) The International Blue Flag Program, June 12, 2008, Centre far Social Innovation, Toronto. 11. NEXT MEETING DATE -June 19, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. Page 5 OMEGA Meeting -April 17, 2008 12. ADJOURNMENT Motion No. OMEGA-080417-9 Moved by Steve Cromwell, Seconded by David Kennedy It is recommended that we do now adjourn at 8:35 p.m. Carried. A digital recording Of the meeting is available for review. Co-Chairperson, Councillor Coutanche Co-Chairperson, Councillor Agnew Clerk, J. Douglas Irwin Page 6 OMEGA Meeting -April 17, 2408 TOWNSHIP OF ORO-MEDONTE ORO-MEDONTE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP ADVISORS (OMEGA) MEETING MINUTES Thursday, June 19, 2008 ~ 7:30 p.m. Council Chambers Present: Bob Barlow Wilf McMechan Jahn Bosomwarth Gerry Murphy David Edwards Doug Shelswell Ruth Fountain Beverley Smith Josephine Martensson-Hemsted Regrets: Steve Cromwell Meryl Drake Susan Grant Don Hanney Margo Holt Allan Johnson David Kennedy Andria Leigh Lynette Mader Jacinta McNairn Andy McNiven Avery Parle Jim Purnell Mike Vandergeest Kim Wand Peter Wigham Jim Woodford Council/Staff Councillor Sandy Agnew Present: Doug Irwin, Clerk Councillor Mel Coutanche Marie Brissette, Committee Coordinator Per Section 4.2 of the Township of Oro-Medonte's Procedural By-law No. 2007-136, at 8:03 p.m. the meeting stood adjourned until the next regular meeting, as there were insufficient members to constitute quorum. The next meeting of OMEGA shall be held on Thursday, September 18, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Township of Oro-Medonte Administration Office. _~ne s. 2{148 Dear. Mr. Irwin. Oro Medonte Clem. RE: UeleBation to OMEGA Thank you for your response to our e-mail to be a delegate at your June OMEN Committee mecun_ t this time we have decided to wait until September. Would it be passible to make a delegation at this meeting? We have decided to postpone our request in order to obtain fiirther infarmat<»_ We have attached an outline ofthe purpose of our delegation and subject matter. Please feel free to share this information with your committee. We lank forward to hearing from you ~aurs sincerely, ~. ~._ ~ ~` Susan Lei, r. LB Landscaping. and Greenhouse outline for the Omeua Committee 4v~ncr_ When.: LB Landscaping and Greenhouse 29(} Ridge Road West Spring 200 Purnose: ~:ducating {Jro Medonte School children on becoming good stewards of the earth. by giving them tools to become environmentally friendly citizens for life. flow: `o accomplish this, the children ranging from grads 4 through 8 would participate in a field trip to the LB Landscaping and Greenhouse farm specializing in Horticulture and Agriculture. By utilizing the natural creek bed that is located on the property the children would participate in tree planting and other various hands an activities that will aid in their understanding of the natural world around them and them affects of human actions on the natural environment. What we are asking: o GMEGA's partnership and endorsement to present a program to school children. o OMEGA's assistance in partnering with Lake Simcoe Conservation for recourses and funding which will be needed to develop the program that will instill practices that will encourage environmentally friendly citizens for life. ORO MORAINE INFORMATION DAY Hosted by: Garfield Dunlop, MPP Simcoe North Oro Moraine Association September 23, 2008 Guthrie Arena Crn. Line 4 North and Highway 11 8:30 a. m. to 3:30 p. m. Come and hear the informative speakers: Mike Jones Graeme Davis AI McNair Peter White Ron Reid Pat Woodford ~?~? ~~ ~~ Nlin~rtes of the Water Quahtvll.akc Management Group-OM1;GA of` May 6, 2G()i3 at 7:p0 p.m. at the Ora-Medante "I~ownship C)Ifices Attendance: Robert L~arlo~~, [have I~dwards, l~filf~McMechan, li~~verle~ ~~~~i~l~. dandy Agnew. Mel Coutanche & Josephine Martensson-Hemsted 1.Wilf M.cMechan gave a brief over~r~iew of the meeting he had. recently attended re: Lake Simcoe. 2. "hhe following motion w=as made: "That Oro-R!ledonte Council be retluested to discourage people from. driving on lakes within. the towjnship bS not. facilitating parking (i.e. not plowing the icej its order to prevent autarnotive contaminants tram finding their way rota the lake." Moved bv: Robert Barlow Seconded by: Gerry Murphy Carried. Unanimously 3. Wilf McMcchan will speak to the Conservation Authority to see what kind of information they have available an lake management issues 4. WQ/LM would like to issue an invitation. to the Bass Lake Ratepayers Association (Connie Siena-President) to speak at the next meeting. 5. Robert I3arlaw offered to contact Bruce Stanton's office to obtain pamphlets from. the Dept. ol` Oceans ~ Fisheries 6. Discussion took place around the concept of compiling an information pamphlet for shoreline residents with inl`annation relating on municipal bylaws relating to shorelines. 7. The following motion was made: '`That Oro-Ivledonte Council provide this committee with an up-to-date list of environmental bylaws in the township." Moved by: Robert ~arlaw Seconded by: Gerry Morph}~ Carried Unanimously ~~~ 8. Dave Edwards reported that many applications have been received by the Lake Simeoe t • a Committee for technical funding. The technical committee has scored the applications and presently it appears as though some local projects will be 1°ecommended to the Minister for fiinding. Dave also Hated that an outcome of the visual septic inspections which were lane is that the Labe Simco~~ IZe~ional Conscr~~~~ion 1'~uthority will sham some portion of the replacement costs u1~ ~~ptic systems. Th~rc ~tias further discussion around the idea of creating a brochure t~, ratepayers with tips on septic system care. It was noted that phosphates are banned. in dish detergent. and that the recent television. ads by Gaelen ~%estin re~ardin~ phosphate li-ee Laundry deter~cnt were of`intcrest. 9. Discussion took place around the infilling of wetlands and it w~~~ s~~~,~~~s~cd that this issue be referred to the habitat group and staff with an interest in pro~~~cting wetlands. 10. Diversion. of water softener effluents from septic systems (.salt solutions) vas also discussed. `l,he committee members were not sure, whether this was a part ol`the visual septic inspections which tools place. It could certainly be mentioned in an informational pamphlet to ratepayers. 11. Discussion ensued around the idea ol~ creating an anonymous environmental hotline where infractions or amcerns could be brought to the attention of staff. n 12. ~d,journment at 9:15 p.m. ~~ ,. q~ !. . .~ For more information on protecting water quality and shoreline health check the following: Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority: www,lsrca.on.ca Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority: www.nvca.on.ca Severn Sound Environmental Association: www.severnsound.ca Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition: www.rescuelakesimcoe.org Ladies of the Lake: www.lakeladies.ca .{~ ~ ~ f i^Y.4.. ~' ~ ' 4 f ^'.. ~' , a ., , _ . For more information on OMEGA or other Township matters visit the Oro-Medonte website at www.oro-medonte.ca 'e°` ~0.~ Township of ~3~qy~ ~ Mfg s, ~~~`,,~~'_ ~~` Proud Heritage, Exciting Future The information below is prepared in co-operation with The Township of Oro-Medonte Council, Oro-Medonte Environmental Group Advisors (OMEGA) and the Water Quality/Lake Management Working Group to assist waterfront landowners in assessing your own contribution to protecting your water 8T shoreline property ~ 1~ ~~~ ~ :~ -~- ~+ Y ,G~~ These are the new actions that you can adopt and the things that you may already be doing to protect your water and shoreline, save time and money, and safeguard the environment . Shoreline Check clearly 1 will I'm doing O Enjoy the natural beauty of shorelines when visiting ^ ^ O Clean up garbage from the shoreline, leaving natural and woody debris (e.g. driftwood, fallen trees) ^ ^ Check clearly Check clearly ~l'ICTI'e'llne (continued} l will Pm doing }~alY~ f will l'm doing O Work with a community group to protect or restore native vegetation along a local shoreline ^ O Learn more about the importance of Shorelines ^ O Share with others the value and importance of healthy shoreline ^ O Be shoreline-friendly when visiting or vacationing along shorelines ^ O Wash clothes and shower away from water's edge ^ O Start a buffer strip by leaving some grass uncut near the water's edge ^ O Protect a strip of native plants along my shoreline ^ O Replant native shrubs and trees along my shoreline ^ O Check regularly for invasive plants and remove them carefully ^ O Let imported beach sand erode naturally and let native plants grow back ^ O Let natural debris (e.g. driftwood, fallen trees) accumulate as much as possible ^ O Build a low impact dock (check local regulations) ^ O Keep pets and /or livestock waste away from shoreline or streamside ^ Boating O Use oil absorbing bilge cloths, instead of O Minimize the amount of trees and plants ^ cleared during construction projects O Prune trees to obtain a better view, instead of ~ removing them O Handle fuels, oil and other chemicals with great ^ care, and be prepared for spills O Redirect driveway runoff into a settlingfsoaking ^ area O Use only eco-friendly phosphate-free fertilizers ^ like compost O Use only eco-friendly pesticides like 1/40 soap ^ & water mix or dormant oil ~ O Refrain from feeding wild water animals to ^ minimize droppings (i.e.: a Canada goose excretes 1 kg a day) ^ House/Cottage bilge cleaners ^ ^ O Practice safe refueling ^ ^ O Reduce wake in boats and jet skis by slowing down to 5km/hr within 160m (500 ft) from shore ^ ^ O Purchase or use a 2 or 4 stroke motor that meets EPA guidelines ^ ^ O Maintain boat and jet skis and have them inspected regularly ^ ^ O Use the new non-salt water softener as old type is hard on the lakes and septic tanks O Use phosphate-free, chlorine-free cleaners like baking soda and vinegar instead of toxic products O Pump my septic tank regularly(for a field system, every 2-3 years) O Avaid overloading my septic system by staggering full laundry loads through the week O Conserve water by using low-flow showerheads and toilets O Maintain boat and jet skis and have them inspected regularly ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ AStiu~. ~f Mun 8nt T'tl: -> -> Gary tlats~n F{~y 28 Zt7b8 28;24:21 ED'S 200 Uruversily Ave. Saii~ 80i Tarcx7to, ON h7~H ~1C6 Tel.: {416} 971-9856 I rax. {4t6} 971-6191 ,~, E-mail. ama~sma.on.ca R s~, cx:iation a# Nlur~cl#Saii~v~ of O~+t~io ~~~8~~ ~~~~N1ATI(}~ ~t_E~T ~~: as,roa~ u =;;e ~2tt~t~fft~n raffftt~ ~f~rk alne+ C~u~?t fl #~c~a ti~va~.;r~aalxt~taTl~stt cc2r~7a~T: __ Milano AvramoviC. AMt7 Senior Policy Advisor <2tlC~ ;',~pt:Ff2t%t~'?s?~ t~c7SiPL 111~s3l3c3#~f?t'ra C1C ,~t''{:~+'Cl~dl1~ {416} 971-9856 ext 342 ~. ~l (7t't~1P~ ~2 iClf~ May 28, 2008 Extending ifie Commen# Period to June 30, 2008 Re: The AMC}lAMRC Discussion Paper on an Alternative Approach to OntaNo's Biue Box Funding Model issue: The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Association of Municipal Recycling Coordinators of Ontario (AMRC} are extending the request for your comments and support to the end of June, 2008, of the discussion paper an An Alternativl~ Anoroach° to Ontario"5 Biue Box Fundi Model. Background: There is a' growing need to revise the current Blue Box funding mode! as municipalities are becoming more vulnerable to rising waste management casts, The combined effect of managing more Post Consumer Packaging and Printed Paper that is difficult to recycle, and the anticipated designatson of other diversion programs, such as kitchen organics and leaf and yard wastes, leaves municipalities burdened with increasing waste management costs. AMC} and AMRC have proactively examined various funding models which are outlined in this paper and have determined that a fundamental change to Blue Box funding is required. Municipalities can no Langer subsidize an industry generated problem. This paper outlines the fallowing fundamental issues for discussion. * Designating alt Post Consumer Packaging and Printed Paper material; Phasing in full extending producer responsibility where industry is responsible far 100°k of the cast of managing all Past Consumer Packaging and Printed Paper, including what is in the litter and garbage stream; * Eliminating municipal Blue Bax costs so that municipalities can implement and manageother diversion programs where industry funding organizations are not easily identifiable such as kitchen organics. A number of municipalities have requested an extension to ~e comment period to accommodate their Council schedules. 1-2 ~ ~JJWt+ V} 1 M}1} Li11L }V f f a,}Q} ai MM0.4JV1/ M1GY f fptJ 4}} L.aJ4.I1.! }.if 4J •VJ LY } Member Cc~rnrnunicatiion Action. AMQ asks its members to pass a resolution at Council conveying their comments and support to this discussion paper. . Please forward your municipality's resolution bt June 30, 208 to: .~ Association of Municipalities of Ontario Orb Fax to: Milena Avramovic at Attention: Milena Avramovic, Senkx Pc~icy Adv 416-971 6191 {„?~ by a-mail ta: milena~am+~.on.ca And please cc: to earn~o~anc~ama.on.ca This information is available in the Policy issues section of the AMtJ website at ~~~~:v.._.r~.~.~~~a ~~a '-2 ~`~~ .~ -~;,. ~~~ h~'.; ~x gut LuC;1:1,I - -- mss: ~k. June 3, 2008 Mayor Hughes and Members of Council Township of Oro-Medonte 148 Line 7 S. Box 100 Oro, ON LOL 2X0 ` ~ ~r ~ n . fi `1 tE Ah'' q I s ~€~~- `~E '~ 1 ~'J Your Worship Harry Hughes, members of Council and the OMEGA committee, On behalf of the Board of Directors, members and staff of Simcoe County Farm Fresh, I want to thank you in going the "extra mile" to support local agriculture. The financial contribution from the Township of Oro-Medonte, towards the Buy-Local Guide Map project went a long way in assisting our association in making this project a reality. The initiative has already made an impact by linking regional food consumers with local farmers. This will go toward helping to ensure the continuation of a sustainable local food system. Support from community partners like the Township of Oro-Medonte is vital and we hope one that will continue far into the future. Sinc ely, ~~ ~~~ ` Morris Gervais President, Simcoe County Farm Fresh Simcoe County Farm Fresh Marketing Association Non-Profit Corp. c/o z935 Barrie Hill Rd. RR # z Barrie, ON L4M 4S4 Ps 705 734'zO75 Fs 705 734'7633 znfofci`simcaeeountyfarititresti ca www.sitnca~cc~ur~cytarmfre5li.ca Subject: Provincial Environmental Advisory Committee Symposium -October 3 & 4 The City of Oshawa is excited to be hosting this year's Provincial Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) meeting on October 3 & 4. The theme is Great Lakes, Great Water and we encourage you to attend this mast interesting event. Attached is the Registration Form for you to complete and should you have any questions, please call me. Regards, Jennifer Mutton ~dmini~;trative assistant Plannine Services Development Services Depalrtment 1~{}ti i ~~~-:~6i6, ext. ?-1-~-L E-mail: ~~ns~tt~m~n ~~~ha1a.7 ~:~ l..-' ..~_._.____.. ~u~ Registration Form Dame: Address: Email Address: Telephone: EAC Affiliation Food Allergies: Registration Fee: $25.Of) {irrc~u~'~ .~ f~~c~~y ,°r; f~~ ,: _ .~turday Syrr~p~a~tran, ~~ ~r , ; ~ ,_,i ~ ° ~; ~ ~rutr ~rrt# r~fr~ , ~, ~ rr_~. r ~~aksj Please Note: Conference registration does not include Note! accommodations. Please make Method of Payment P~~~;~,~n~ rssa~~~~, riade by cheque ormo °~~~~ o...,;~1- ~-:nletothp'~": ~.;, ,,~~Oshawa~whit;~ ,~~,; accompany the registration form. Payment may also be made by ~tisa Master rd. Please fill out th~~ae(( following, gsign apnd fax or mai! in, or calf J/sePSnpnifer Mutton with your credit card iiltra~(Ylr~!~:'i~ J~; ~;,ti `4} ee~ry~~oil36 ~c4449 iJ~' .~~'f;'r' ~~ltier ~5d4Y67, Circe One: Vis,~ fwasTERCARf~ °i ~~, ~ ~. -~ ~ , ~r of C~she~e to cl~ar~e my _~x irct in the amotrr~t of for tta l ~~u ~,~ f'r~~ ;; ~ _. ~nviro~~,ment Ac~vrsory Committee Symposium" Fax: (905}436-569 .. City a# C3stt a, 6a Centrt' :'4r~N~ ~~:~t~th, Qs ~ C}N ~16-i 3~? Excerpt for the Minutes of the Council rneetin~ held on September 10, 2008 Item 11b) Council meeting, September 10, 2048: b) Councillor Coutanche, correspondence dated August 25, 2008 from City of Oshawa, re: 2008 Provincial Environmental Advisory Committee Symposium, October 3 and 4, 2008, Oshawa. Motion No. C080910-12 Moved by Coutanche, Seconded by Rllison Be it resolved that 1. The correspondence dated August 25, 2008 from City of Oshawa and presented by Councillor Coutanche, re: 2008 Provincial Environmental Advisory Committee Symposium, October 3 and 4, 2008, Oshawa be received. 2. And Further That OMEGA members, who meet the identified qualification criteria, be authorized to attend with registration fee only being provided by the Township. Carried. L~ Q.. .- ~-~.L b, `~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~c~ ~ ~~: STEWARD OF THE EARTH PROGRAM We are looking to start a Steward of the Earth program designed to challenge everyone, especially our children to be a True Steward of the Earth. We can do this by encouraging our young generation to plant and maintain a healthy landscape starting on their own properties. All types of planting, whether it be annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, grass -all help our environment. Our challenge for Steward of the Earth Members is to plant and nurture at least one tree throughout their life time. If we all plant at least one tree, our streets, communities, and world will be a cleaner and a safer place to live. The program is designed to work on an individual basis, as more care is given to individual personal items, than what we all share in common. Aristotle - "What is common to many is taken least care of for all men have greater regard for what is their own than for what they possess in common with others." SAVE ENERGY BENEFITS OF TREES • Plant deciduous trees that shed their leaves during winter. These trees provide shade and block heat from the sun during hotter months. By dropping their leaves in the fall they admit sunlight in the colder months • Plant these trees on the south and west side of buildings • Shade all hard services such as driveways, patios and sidewalks to minimize landscape heat load • Can reduce air conditioning cost up to 30 percent • Evergreens save from 10 to 50 percent in energy used for heating • Place them to intercept and slow winter winds, usually on the north side of your home and • Do not plant them on the north or west side of your home because they block warming sun-light during winter. These trees also provide some shading during the summer MODIFY LOCAL CLIMATE • Lower air temperatures through shade • Increase humidity in dry climates through evaporation of moisture • Reduce glare on sunny days • Reduce wind speed • Dew and frost are less common under trees because less radiant energy is reduce from the soil in those areas at night INCREASE ECONOMIC STABILITY • Trees enhance community economic stability by attracting businesses and tourist • People linger and shop longer along tree-lined streets • Apartments and offices in wooded areas rent more quickly have occupancy rates and stay longer • Businesses leasing office space in wooded developments find their workers are more productive and absenteeism is reduced REDUCE NOISE POLLUTION • Absorb and block noise from the urban environment by acting as a buffer and absorbing 50% of urban noise 2 • Trees and associated plants create local ecosystems to provide habitat for birds and animals • They offer suitable mini-climates for other plants that otherwise would be absent from urban areas INCREASE PROPERTY VALUE • Healthy trees can add up to 15% of residential property value • Office and industrial space in wooded setting is in demand and is more valuable to sell or rent CARBON • Trees remove C02 from the atmosphere during photosynthesis to form carbohydrates that are used in plant structure and function and return oxygen back to the atmosphere as a by-product (About half of the greenhouse effect is caused by C02) Trees therefore act as a buffer by removing the carbon and storing it as cellulose in their trunk, branches, leaves and roots while releasing oxygen back into the air ~ Planting tree remains the cheapest most effective means of removing excess C02 from the atmosphere ~ A single mature tree can absorb carbon at a rate of 48 lbs per year and release enough oxygen back into the atmosphere to support two human beings REDUCTION OF OTHER AIR POLLUTANTS • There is up to 60% reduction in street level particles with trees • Trees in a park or along a roadside can remove l OO lbs of carbon alone in one growing season PROTECTION OUR WATER • trees reduce top soil erosion prevent harmful land pollutants contained in the soil from getting into our waterways, slow down water run off and ensure our groundwater supplies are continually being replenished For every 5% of tree cover in our communities storm water run-off is reduced by 2% • Tree roots remove nutrients harmful to water ecology • Trees act as a natural pollution filter. Their canopies, trunks, roots and associated soils and other natural elements filter polluted particles out of the flow toward the storm sewers PRESENTATION TO OMEGA ORO MEDONTE TOWNSHIP ADMINISTRATION CENTRE September 18TH 2008 WHAT: STEWARD OF THE EARTH PROGRAM WHERE: LB LANDSCAPING AND GREENHOUSE 290 Ridge Road West, Oro Station, Ontario WHO: Elementary School Children (Grades 4-8) WHEN: Program starting spring of 2009 PURPOSE: We would present a program to the Elementary School Children on becoming good Stewards of the Earth by giving them tools to become environmentally friendly citizens for life. HOW: To accomplish this, the children ranging from grade 4 through 8 would participate in a field trip to the LB Landscaping and Greenhouse farm specializing in Horticulture and Agriculture. By utilizing the natural creek bed that is located on the property the children would participate in tree planting, pond studies and other various hands on activities that will aid in their understanding of the natural world around them and the affects of human actions on the natural environment. The one aspect we will focus on is the benefits of trees to our environment. Each child at the end of the program will be sent home with a tree to nurture for the rest of their lives. WHAT ARE WE ASKING FROM OMEGA: • OMEGA's partnership and endorsement to present a program to school children • OMEGA's assistance in partnering with Lake Simoce Conservation for resources and funding which will be needed to develop the program to instill practices that will encourage environmentally friendly citizens for life. LB LANDSCAPING & GREENHOUSE After nearly 30 years of running a Dairy Farm in Oro-Medonte Township we decided to sell our cows and quota and retire. That was enjoyable for all of about six months and then we got bored. We were use to working 24-7 with the cows, working the land and growing crops. We discussed our options for a while and looked at what knowledge we had gained as Dairy Farmers and what we truly loved to do and decided looking after properties, with grass cutting and gardens, wouldn't be a whole lot different then growing crops for nutrients for the cows feed. So we took what knowledge we had and starting studying and researching grass and garden maintenance. After 5 years we have grown into a reasonable sized business. The garden side of the business was becoming a big part and more and more of our clients were looking for plant material and so then started our next adventure. "The Greenhouse". We started with a small hoop structure first 20x25, nice size to grow Annuals for our clients to plant out in their gardens. Of course you know what happened. We had a few more plants then what we needed and so we opened to the public last spring 2007. The people came and loved what they saw and the convenience of not having to go to town to get flowers on a hot day. Now here we are in 2008 and we have built another Greenhouse and have expanded to Perenials and Shrubs. Because of our love of Garden construction we have also added new Perennial Gardens throughout the property where you can see the colours and sizes of the Plants we have for sale. We also have two big ponds with Water Lilies and hopefully some fish in the summer. Our hope is that our Greenhouse will not only be a place you can come and buy flowers but also enjoy a walk through our Gardens and Ponds and some special farm related things for the children to do. We are open from May 1 -Thanksgiving weekend. We host a Christmas Celebration from December lstto Christmas. Hope to see you there. ABOUT YOUR TREE All trees • Dig a hole 3x the size of your tree • Water well for the first year • Fertilize with a good transplant fertilizer • Plant in rich soil to start SUGAR MAPLE • Grows to be about 25-30 feet tall • Known for production of Maple Syrup • Turns Colour in the Fall AMUR MAPLE • Much smaller than the Sugar Maple grows to be about 10 -15 feet tall • Has the same leaf as the Sugar Maple but the keys are pink in summer • Turns a bright red in Fall WHITE CEDAR • Common to this area • Great for hedges or privacy • Grow well in wet areas but do quite well in dry locations