Ottawa, ON – Today the Ottawa Centre EcoDistrict and EnviroCentre announced that they will work together to spread neighbourhood sustainability across the City of Ottawa. This collaboration will see proven programs available on a city-wide basis.
During the last four years, the EcoDistrict has developed a strong network of local businesses, organizations, and community groups and has focused on improving the downtown core. With core funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, it has worked with leaders from all levels of government and with other environmental non-governmental organizations to push for programs to fight climate change, improve active transportation and increase environmental awareness.
Since 2012 the EcoDistrict has developed innovative and proven approaches to making the downtown core more sustainable. However, these programs can and should be implemented anywhere in Ottawa.
EnviroCentre has worked alongside the EcoDistrict from the beginning. Established in 1999, EnviroCentre brings environmental change to life by offering people, organizations and communities across Ottawa practical solutions to lighten their environmental impact in lasting ways.
In 2017, three programs will be expanded. Electric Vehicle (EV) Day will be hosted in other parts of Ottawa, the Cycle In program will be available to other neighbourhoods and the Environment Week program will be revised to attract a broader audience. At the same time, there will continue to be a focus on making the downtown core greener and on taking actions that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “Our city-wide reach makes EnviroCentre an ideal delivery partner,” says Executive Director, Michael Murr. “We are thrilled to build on the EcoDistrict’s important work and take these initiatives even further.”
The EcoDistrict Network is an impressive collection of organizations engaged in sustainable business practices. EnviroCentre is pleased to offer Network members an opportunity to continue their sustainability leadership through Carbon 613, the made-in-Ottawa, target-based sustainability program for businesses.
“We have learned so much these last few years about how to implement sustainability on the ground,” said Don Grant of the EcoDistrict. “We know what works, what doesn’t and how we can move forward in alignment with the strategic objectives of the City of Ottawa. What we need now is an experienced partner and EnviroCentre is the perfect choice.”
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For more information, please contact:
Don Grant
Ottawa Centre EcoDistrict
ph. 613-295-6708
don@oced.ca
Davis Carr
EnviroCentre
ph. 613-656-0100 ext. 130
davis.carr@envirocentre.ca