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Towards a greener Ottawa

Use this guide to find where you can make a difference. Find yourself a niche where you can contribute the most – whether as a participant, volunteer, donor, employee or entrepreneur. This guide will help you find your way around and apply your energies where they'll make the most impact. It will help you to collaborate with others, when it makes sense to do so. Or, to find the resources you need to work alone, but without reinventing the wheel. Together we can build a greener, more sustainable world!

 
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Environmental Resource Centres & Networks
based in Ottawa-Gatineau

Green / Environmental Resource Centres
· Ottawa Envirocentre, first floor, City Hall, 110 Laurier
· LandOwner Resource Centre (Manotick, just south of Ottawa)
· Peace and Environment Resource Centre (PERC), 174 First Ave. (at Bank St., in the Glebe)
· People and Planet, GoodWork Canada, Planet Volunteer and GreenOttawa.ca (Centretown)
· Arbour Environmental Shoppe, 800 Bank St. (in the Glebe)
·
Octopus Books, 116 Third Ave. (at Bank St., in the Glebe)
· OPIRG-Ottawa, 631 King Edward Avenue, 3rd floor (at the University of Ottawa)
· OPIRG-Carleton, UniCentre Building, Carleton University

Environmental & Related Networks
· Canadian Environment Network, 300-945 Wellington St. West
· Youth Environmental Network, 300-945 Wellington St. West
· Climate Action Network Canada
· Coalition for a Healthy Ottawa
· Canadian Council for International Cooperation, 1 Nicholas Street
· Other Environmental Networks in Canada

Green/ Environmental Social Networking
· Green Drinks Ottawa (informal monthly gathering in Centretown)
· Young Environmental Professionals, National Capital Region (networking events downtown)

 
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Environmental Groups & Organizations
based in Ottawa-Gatineau

Environmental and Peace Groups in Ottawa
· Ottawa Environmental Groups & Organizations (source: Ontario Environmental Directory)
· Ottawa Peace, Environment & Social Justice Groups (source: Peace & Environment Resource Centre)
· Rideau Watershed Directory of Environmental Organizations (source: Rideau Roundtable)
· Eastern Ontario Environmental Groups & Organizations (source: Ontario Environment Directory)
· Coalition for a Healthy Ottawa
·
Ecology Ottawa Links
· Ottawa Science & Environment (source: the Open Directory)
· Post a listing with the Ontario Environment Directory and PERC Groups

Groupes Ecologistes à Gatineau:
· Gatineau-Outaouais Groupes Écologistes (Réseau Québecois des Groupes Écologistes | voir aussi: RNCREQ)
· Enviro Educ-Action, Gatineau QC

Other Ottawa Community & Nonprofit Groups
· NCF Ottawa Community Groups (source: National Capital Freenet)
· Volunteer Ottawa Groups (source: Volunteer Ottawa)

 
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Environmental Publications and Media
based in Ottawa-Gatineau or Eastern Ontario

Environment-related Publications
· Green Living Ottawa (online only – blog and e-mail)
· Peace and Environment News (PEN) (monthly)
· Canadian Organic Grower (quarterly)
· Canadian Geographic Magazine (bimonthly)
· Country Connection Magazine (quarterly)
· Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (Statistics Canada, annual)
· Environmental Reviews (National Research Council, annual)
· Heritage News (quarterly)
· (more Environmental Publications across Canada and beyond)

Independent & Alternative Media (with an interest in environment)
· The Straight Goods (online)
· Canadian Perspectives (quarterly, from the Council of Canadians)
· Independent Media Centre Ottawa (online)

Ottawa Media Links (mass media and various topics)
· Ottawa News and Media | Ottawa Media

 
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Green Business
in Ottawa and beyond

Green Business & Retail in Ottawa:
· Arbour Environmental Shoppe, 800 Bank St. (in the Glebe)
· Healthiest Home and Building Supplies, 135 Holland Ave. (see also Canada Green Building Council)
· Appleseed Organic Lawn Care (member of the Organic Landscape Alliance)
·
Mountain Equipment Co-op, 366 Richmond Rd. (Westboro)
· Ottawa Bicycle Stores (see also Ottawa Outdoors, below)
· Vrtucar Car-Share Network, 356 Maclaren (at Bank St.) (see also: Ottawa TravelWise | More)
· The Green Door Restaurant, 198 Main St. (see also Ottawa Vegetarian Restaurants)
· Ottawa Natural Food Stores (see also Ontario Natural Food Co-op)
· Monterey Inn Resort & Conference Centre (2) (the first carbon-neutral company in Canada)
· More: Green Living Ottawa (blog with links to many local businesses)
·
More: National Capital Region Green Pages (PDF download) (the print edition is available at local centres such as Arbour, PERC, OPIRG, libraries, etc.)
· More: Athena (directory of Ottawa-area green products and services)

Second-hand, Used & Rental:
Yellow Pages - Discount, Used & Rental Goods | Reuse It Network | Full Circles Ottawa | Ottawa Freecycle | Used Ottawa | Ottawa Craigslist | Kijiji Ottawa | Ottawa Start

Environmental Industry Associations based in Ottawa:
· Canadian Association for Renewable Energies
· Canadian Solar Industries Association
· Canadian Wind Energy Association
· Canada Green Building Council (see also Green Buildings section, below)
· Canadian Organic Growers
· Electric Vehicle Council of Ottawa
· TransFair Canada
· Canadian Water and Wastewater Association

Greening of Business links, resources, organizations
· The Natural Step Canada (Ottawa based)
· Questioning Business (across Canada and beyond)

 
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Environmental Events, Conferences, Activities
in Ottawa and beyond

· The People & Planet CalendarOttawa-Gatineau section (source: People & Planet)
· Other Ottawa-area Calendars (source: Environmental Calendars Directory)
· Post an Event, Course or Activity

 
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Environmental Volunteering and Employment
in Ottawa and beyond

· Ottawa Environmental Jobs (source: GoodWorkCanada.ca)
· Ottawa Environmental Volunteering (source: PlanetVolunteer.net)
· Ottawa Volunteering (source: Volunteer Ottawa – at bottom, choose Job Interest: Environment)
· Environmental Job Search Tips (more) (more)
· Post a Job or Other Green Employment Opportunity

 
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Food: Local, Sustainable, Organic
in Ottawa and beyond

Local Food Sources
·
Ottawa Buy Local Guide (organic/sustainable food, gardening, agriculture) (source: www.justfood.ca)
· Ottawa Regional Organic Food Directory (source: Canadian Organic Growers, Ottawa Chapter)
· Why Buy Local?

Ottawa Farmers Markets
· Ottawa Farmers Market, Sundays (May.-Oct.), Lansdowne Park, Bank St.
· Ottawa Organic Farmers Market (2) (3), Saturdays year-round, 1644 Bank St. (behind Canadian Tire)
· More: Farmers Markets Ontario | Ottawa Farmers Markets
Note that not all "Farmer's Markets" are actually run by and for local farmers. Be sure to ask around.

Food Groups and Organizations based in Ottawa
· Canadian Organic Growers, Ottawa Chapter
· Ottawa Community Gardens
· Just FoodResources & Links
· ETC Group
·
National Farmers Union, Ontario Chapter (Godfrey ON, towards Kingston)
· Wwoof Canada | About Wwoofing | Ottawa-area Organic Farms & Gardens
· National Capital Vegetarian Association
· Sustainable Food Organizations across Canada

Ottawa Restaurants & Cafés (a selection of restaurants with local, organic or ecological aspects)
· The Green Door (restaurant & bakery, 198 Main St., across from St. Paul's University)
· Bread and Sons (bakery & cafe, 195 Bank St., downtown)
· Umi Cafe (cafe, 610 Somerset St. W., at Percy St.)
· Atelier Restaurant (upscale, 540 Rochester St.)
· Domus Café (upscale, 87 Murray St., Byward Market)
· The Wild Oat (bakery & cafe/restaurant, 817 Bank St., in the Glebe, across from Arbour)
· Bridgehead Cafes (cafes, various locations in Ottawa)
· Cafe Gaia (restaurant, 130 rue Frontenac & 47A boulevard Montclair, Gatineau/Hull)
· Depanneur Sylvestre (9 Fortier, Gatineau/Hull)
· The Branch Restaurant (organic, Kemptville, south of Ottawa)
· Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants in Ottawa

 
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Ottawa Parks, Greenspace & Attractions
in Ottawa-Gatineau and area

Ottawa-Gatineau Parks and Greenspace:
Ottawa Parks (2) | The Capital Pathway | Fletcher Wildlife Gardens | The Arboretum (2) | Experimental Farm | Friends of the Farm | Organic Demonstration Garden | Ottawa Community Gardens | Ottawa River (2) | Ottawa Greenbelt (2) | Gatineau Park (2) | Rideau Valley Conservation Areas | Rideau Trail | Ville de Gatineau (2)

Related Groups & Organizations
City of Ottawa Parks & Recreation | National Capital Commission | Ottawa Forests and Greenspace Advisory Committee | Greenspace Alliance of Canada's Capital | Save our Greenspace | Canada Parks & Wilderness Society - Ottawa Valley Chapter | Ottawa Field Naturalists Club | Ottawa Horticultural Society | Ottawa Community Garden Network

Eco-Retreats & Education Centres
Carp Ridge EcoWellness Centre | New Life Retreat | Northern Edge Algonquin (2) | Rendezvous Rupert | Stillwaters Retreat | Tucker House Renewal Centre | Wakefield Hostel | Wolf Den (Algonquin) | Wwoof Canada (volunteer retreats, Ottawa area | About)

Other Attractions
Canadian Museum of Nature | Canada Agriculture Museum

 
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Ottawa Outdoors

Human-Powered Outdoors Activities (various): Ottawa Outdoors Magazine | Mountain Equipment Co-op | Ottawa Hostel Outdoors Club | Ottawa Cycling: Capital Pathway | Cycling Map | Citizens for Safe Cycling | RentaBike (2) | Ottawa Bicycle Club | Re-Cycles Bike Co-op | Bike Stores in Ottawa | Human Powered Vehicles Operators of Ottawa | Ontario Cycling Orgs. | Walking & Hiking: Trails Canada | Hike Ontario | Rideau Trail Association | Oxygène - Club de randonnée de l'Outaouais | Canadian Volkssport Federation | Ottawa Orienteering Club | Alpine Club of Canada - Ottawa | Ottawa Voyageurs | Seniors Walking Clubs | Canoeing & Kayaking: CanoeKayak.ca | more | more | Gardening: Canadian Organic Growers, Ottawa Chapter | Ottawa Community Gardens | Organic Demonstration Garden | Fletcher Wildlife Gardens | The Arboretum (2) Tree Canada | Ottawa Horticultural Society | Lawns, Trees & Gardens | More: More Ottawa Recreation & Sports (2)

 
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Green Buildings and Neighbourhoods
in Ottawa-Gatineau and area

Residential:
· Rockcliffe Redevelopment ("Eco-Town") (2) (3)
· Terra Firma Co-housing | About Cohousing (2) (3)
· Conservation Co-op | About Cooperative Housing (2) (3)
· WindMill DevelopmentsThe Currents (Wellington & Holland), White Water Village (Roche Fendu Lake)
· EcoCité on the Canal (2)
· Orville Station, eco-condos in Stittsville (news)
· Passive House | About Passive Houses / Passivhaus (incl. Passive Solar & more)

Businesses:
· Mountain Equipment Co-op, 366 Richmond Road, Ottawa
· Ottawa Paramedic Service Headquarters, 2465 Don Reid Dr., Ottawa
· Great Canadian Theatre Company, new theatre at Wellington & Holland, Ottawa

Other Projects, Information & Supplies:
· About Green Building, Low-energy Building, Sustainable Architecture, Natural Building, more
· Canada Green Building Council (based in Ottawa) | Ottawa Region Chapter
· Healthiest Home and Building Supplies, 135 Holland Ave., Ottawa
· EcoProperty Canada (across Canada)
· Green Real Estate Conference (Toronto)

 
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Sustainable Transportation in Ottawa

· Public Transit: OCTranspo | Travel Planner | bikes on buses | O-Train | Friends of the O-Train
· Inter-City Buses: Ottawa Bus Station | Greyhound | Ottawa-area Buses (2) (click Rural Transit)
· Train: VIA Rail | O-Train | Friends of the O-Train
· Biking/Cycling: Ottawa Bike Stores | more | Ottawa Cycling Map | Citizens for Safe Cycling | CAN-BIKE Courses (2) (3) | Ottawa Bicycle Club | Human Powered Vehicle Operators of Ottawa | Re-Cycles Bike Co-op | more Ottawa Cycling Links
· Walking: Pedestrian-friendly Ottawa | Active and Safe Routes to School (2) | Jane's Walk | Ottawa Walking Clubs | Walking Shoes: Mountain Equipment Co-op | Trailhead | Bushtakah | The Bay | Letellier | Ottawa Shoe Stores (2)
· Electric Scooters: Green Pedal
· Cars: Car Sharing (Vrtucar) | Ottawa Ridesharing | Ride Match | Ottawa Carpooling | Ottawa Car Rentals | Electric Vehicle Council of Ottawa | Smart Car Dealerships (2) (about) (microcars) | Anti-idling bylaw
· General & Advocacy: City of Ottawa (2) (3) | Envirocentre | Commuter Challenge | Against Queensway Widening | Transport 2000 | Citizens for Safe Cycling | Auto-Free Ottawa | Ecology Ottawa | Imagine Ottawa | City Repair Ottawa | Google Directory
· More (global): Sustainable Transportation Links | Wikipedia | Google Directory | more

 
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Ottawa Education
Environmental, Outdoors & Sustainability Education in Ottawa-Gatineau and area

Primary, Secondary, Continuing and Informal Education:

· Outdoor Education Centres (Ottawa-Carleton District School Board)
· Ottawa Primary Schools | Ottawa Secondary Schools
· Alba Wilderness School (Lanark, Ontario)
· Outward Bound Canada
· Northern Edge Algonquin
· Wwoof Canada | Ottawa Area | About Wwoofing

Post-Secondary:

University of Ottawa – University of Ottawa
·
Environmental Studies (calendar)
· Environmental Studies and Geography, Department of Geography (calendar)
· Environmental Science, Department of Science (calendar)
· Global Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences (calendar)
· Public Administration, Faculty of Social Sciences (calendar)
· International Development and Globalization, Faculty of Social Sciences (calendar)
· Institute of the Environment

Carleton University – Carleton University
· Environmental Studies, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies
· Environmental Science
· Environmental Engineering
· Public Affairs and Policy Management
· School of Public Policy and Administration, Innovation, Science and Environment (Masters & PhD)
· Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (Masters)

St. Paul's University – St. Paul's University
· Ethics
· Public Ethics
· Conflict Studies

Algonquin College – Algonquin College
· Green Business Management
· Forestry Technician
· Green Architecture
· Outdoor Adventure
· Outdoor Adventure Naturalist
· Water & Wastewater Technician

Willis College – Willis College
· Clean Energy

More
· Environmental Education Links, Organizations, Resources
· More Ottawa Education Links (general)

(See also: Environmental Education Links across Canada (primary, secondary, post-secondary, ongoing)
(Other related programs: Political Science, Law, Ethics, Psychology, Sociology, Journalism, Communication)

 
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Government Departments & Agencies
environment-related and based in Ottawa-Gatineau / National Capital Region

· Municipal Government – environment-related departments and agencies
· City of OttawaDirectory of Environmental Initiatives | Environment | Lawns, Trees & Gardens | Parks | Recycling | Transit | TravelWise | Water | Wastewater | Rural | Planning and Growth | Environmental Advisory Committee
· City of GatineauWater | Pesticides | Recycling | Energy Efficiency | Trees | Transport | Planning
· National Capital Commission
· Nearby Towns & Municipalities

· Government of Ontario
Ontario Ministry of the Environment | Eastern Ontario Region – Ottawa District Office

· Gouvernement du Quebec
Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et des Parcs | Outaouais

· Government of Canada – environment-related departments and agencies based in Ottawa: Government of Canada | Contact Your Government | Central Agencies: Privy Council Office | Department of Finance | Treasury Board Secretariat Departments & Agencies: Environment Canada | Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development | National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy | Greening Government | Natural Resources Canada | Department of Fisheries and Oceans | Parks Canada | Canadian Museum of Nature | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada | Canada Agriculture Museum | Health Canada | Canadian Health Network | Transport Canada | Infrastructure Canada | Industry Canada | Emergency Preparedness Canada | Indian and Northern Affairs | Foreign Affairs & International Trade | Canadian International Development Agency | Resources: Canadian Political Science Resources (2) (3) (4) (5)

· Conservation & Stewardship Agencies/Organizations
Ottawa Stewardship Council | Ontario Stewardship Councils
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
LandOwner Resource Centre (Manotick, just south of Ottawa)
Eastern Ontario Model Forest (Kemptville, south of Ottawa)
South Nation Conservation

· First Nations / Indigenous Peoples
Assembly of First Nations | First Nations Directory | About | Links

 
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Environment and Politics
in Ottawa and beyond

· Ottawa Environmental Votes
· Imagine Ottawa
· Democracy Watch
· Democracy Education Network
· PlanetVote Canada Portal

 
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More Ottawa Links and Information

· More Ottawa Environmental Links
· Ottawa Links (general interest) (source: the Open Directory)
· Ottawa Information | Ottawa Articles (source: Wikipedia)

 
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Environmental Gateway – Other Locations in Canada

EcoPortal Canada – Environmental Directories, Portals & Networks in Canada and beyond

 
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About Green Ottawa™
a People & Planet Gateway & Guide

Green Ottawa is your gateway to everything green in Ottawa-Gatineau and the National