Happy Earth Day!
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The City of Vaughan continues to champion environmental stewardship
To celebrate Earth Day today, the City of Vaughan is highlighting its commitment to keeping Vaughan green. Earth Day is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of protecting the environment, both now and for generations to come. This is something the City champions daily. In fact, environmental stewardship is a priority in the 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan and is woven into every aspect of city building in Vaughan – from planning for open green spaces, to developing new community stewardship programs, to implementing sustainable initiatives across the organization and more.
To celebrate Earth Day today, the City of Vaughan is highlighting its commitment to keeping Vaughan green. Earth Day is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of protecting the environment, both now and for generations to come. This is something the City champions daily. In fact, environmental stewardship is a priority in the 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan and is woven into every aspect of city building in Vaughan – from planning for open green spaces, to developing new community stewardship programs, to implementing sustainable initiatives across the organization and more.
This environmental commitment is demonstrated through many City-led green initiatives. Here are just a few examples:
Earth Hour
Every year, the City recognizes the global Earth Hour movement by powering down non-essential facility lights. This year, Earth Hour took place on Saturday, March 26 at 8:30 p.m., and citizens were encouraged to participate in a number of ways: going on a nighttime walk on one of four City-specified routes; claiming a pollinator seed packet to grow their own pollinator-friendly garden at home; writing notes of inspiration on Vaughan’s Earth Hour message board; or taking part in fun activities at home in the dark, such as making a paper lantern. To learn more, visit vaughan.ca/EarthHour.
Green Directions Vaughan
Green Directions Vaughan is the City’s environmental sustainability plan. It provides long-term guiding principles and actions the City will take to meet key sustainability goals, such as enhancing stormwater management, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, building resilient infrastructure and providing access to affordable, modern energy. The plan has evolved since it was originally approved in 2009. Today, it includes new community sustainability objectives and 70 different actions the City will take to change how the organization designs, plans and executes programs. Learn more at vaughan.ca/GreenDirections.
Keep Vaughan clean
To help keep Vaughan clean, City crews have embarked on their annual spring cleanup efforts to clear garbage and debris off public property, including parks, trails and boulevards. Citizens can help by following these tips:
- Place waste materials in the correct bins.
- Use the waste bins provided when visiting the City’s parks or trails.
- Dispose of pet waste in the garbage when in public spaces and in the green bin at home.
- Take flyers and mail home to recycle.
- Report litter by phone at 905-832-2281, email at accessvaughan@vaughan.ca or online at vaughan.ca/ServiceVaughan.
For more information on litter reduction in Vaughan, visit vaughan.ca/litter.
Planet Earth Series
New collections continue to be added to the City’s digital art gallery on Flickr – including the popular PLANET EARTH SERIES: Treescapes, Waterscapes and Earthscapes exhibitions. Previously on display at Vaughan City Hall, this curated series celebrating the beauty of our environment features 40 works created by three local and regional artists. The Treescapes instalment is captured by award-winning Vaughan photographer Amanda Arcuri. Her innovative photographs transform trees into theatrical compositions, and feature the ravine and forest found near her Maple home. The Waterscapes gallery is inspired by classical music, nature and the element of water. Painted by regional artist Ernestine Tahedl, a member of the Royal Canadian Academy and Ontario Society of Artists, various art media are used to illustrate waterscapes. The Earthscapes collection is painted by Vaughan-based artist Lisa Johnson. She dramatically illustrates Ontario’s landscapes through abstraction to suggest the power and mystery of nature. Learn more at vaughan.ca/art.
Pollinator protection
The City is committed to protecting birds, bees, butterflies, bats and beetles. Since 2018, Vaughan Council has promised to create pollinator-friendly habitats through the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayors’ Monarch Pledge. Under this pledge, the City has planted pollinator-friendly gardens at Vaughan City Hall, Vellore Heritage Square, Veteran’s Park and Doctors McLean District Park, in addition to undertaking many other pollinator initiatives and recognizing Pollinator Week in June. Kids can also get involved with the following free activities: an outdoor Pollinator Scavenger Hunt, a Pollination Crossword Puzzle and a Whose Home? interactive game to identify species at risk.
Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Program
Vaughan’s Thornhill neighbourhood is host to the City’s first Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Program (SNAP), an initiative created by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. The SNAP mission is simple – to create sustainable, livable communities. The program aligns municipal objectives with the best interests of Vaughan’s citizens to make an array of improvements like renovating infrastructure, upgrading paths and parks and helping homeowners improve their own energy efficiency. Learn more at trca.ca/snap-thornhill.
YOU CAN HELP KEEP VAUGHAN GREEN
Everyone has a role to play in protecting the environment and ensuring a clean, green future. The best place to start is by making more sustainable choices at home, at work or even when shopping.
When at home:
- Replace incandescent lightbulbs with energy-efficient lightbulbs (LEDs).
- Turn off lights when leaving a room.
- Unplug electronics, chargers and appliances not in use.
- Wash clothes in cold water.
- Sign up for paperless billing.
- Use a green bin and blue box to separate waste in your home, including the bathroom.
If at work:
- Only print what’s needed and opt for paperless options when available.
- Use refillable ink cartridges.
- Pack a litter-less lunch, with reusable containers.
- Bring plates and cutlery from home to cut down on single-use plastics.
- Use a reusable water bottle and mug for your drinks.
When in your community:
- Use reusable shopping bags.
- Donate clothing and household items not being used anymore.
- Choose green cleaning products to reduce harmful chemicals.
- Walk or bike for short trips.
- Don’t litter.
Need more inspiration? Check out Earth Day Canada’s list of at-home activities. Join the movement on social media by sharing how your family is celebrating Earth Day.