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David West
Richmond Hill Ward 4 Councillor
Monthly Newsletter
Special Environment Edition 2019
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Access Richmond Hill: 905-771-8800 -
After Hours Emergency Number: 905-884-8013
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In Celebration Of A Healthy Environment
In Richmond Hill
I have always been impressed with the stewardship and care that Richmond Hill residents and
council have collectively
taken toward our natural environment. Our community has been blessed with a large collection of green spaces, river valleys, wetlands forests, and lakes. Many of these blessings were bestowed on Richmond Hill as a result of the last glaciation over 12000 years ago.
I have had the opportunity to fly over our Richmond Hill a few times. From the perspective of 1000 feet, I have found it r
emarkable just how much green space we have and also the extent of the tree canopy we enjoy in Ward 4, and the rest of Richmond Hill.
With this blessing of abundant green space comes the responsibility to be good stewards of our environment. Maintaining and enhancing our natural heritage is important for today, but also for future generations.
Each year to celebrate Earth Week I have published a Special Environment E Newsletter highlighting some of the good work that is being done in Richmond Hill toward protecting and enhancing our natural heritage. Below in this newsletter are a number of articles that illustrate this work. Also included are a number of activities and programs that individuals can take part in to reduce your impact on our natural environment and help us to all live in a more healthy environment.
There is always more work to do. The pressure that development has, in the past exerted, and continues to exert, on our natural areas requires a constant state of attention and vigilance. Richmond Hill has grown, and will continue to grow in the future. We will need to be able to protect and enhance the health, viability, biodiversity and connectivity of the natural areas that we presently enjoy. We must also ensure as we grow, that we have adequate spaces for people to interact with nature now and in the future.
I appreciate you taking the time to read this newsletter and I look forward to hearing any feedback you may have.
My email address is
[email protected]
, my cell number is 416-346-3090 and my office number is 905-771-2480.
To find more information and Environmental programs offered by the Town of Richmond Hill please visit
Sincerely,
David West
Ward 4 Councillor Richmond Hill
Cell 416-346-3090
Office 905-771-2480
Banner Photo - painting by Ona Kingdon
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Clean Up Green Up Weeks
Richmond Hill is organizing the annual Clean Up, Green Up Weeks to give our Town a spring cleaning. In 2018, with the help of 7,744 volunteers, we cleaned more than 100 parks, trails, and streets in our community. We are proud to see Richmond Hill come together again in 2019 for this event.
During the weeks of April 22 to May 6, community groups and schools throughout the Town will help pick up litter in our parks, boulevards, and other areas. Groups can register online until April 5 by visiting
RichmondHill.ca/CleanUpWeeks.
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Toronto Region Conservation Authority Programs
Attracting Pollinators to Your Garden at Central Library
Many bees, birds and butterflies play a vital role in a healthy and productive vegetable garden. Learn how to attract and protect native pollinator species with beautiful landscape features and watch your garden flourish!
When:
May 5 @ 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Where:
Richmond Hill Public Library, Central Branch
Meeting Room: Program Room A/B
1 Atkinson Street
Richmond Hill, ON L4C 0H5
Cost:
Free
To Register please click here.
TRCA is committed to creating an accessible experience for all participants. If you require an accessibility accommodation, please email l
[email protected]
at least 7 days prior to the event.
This event is offered in partnership with
Richmond Hill's Healthy Yards Program
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Summer Camps!
Nature Camps at Lake St. George, Richmond Hill
SUMMER NATURE CAMP - August 6-30, 2019
Lake St. George Field Centre
950 Bethesda Side Rd, Richmond Hill
Play and discover the natural world with us this summer! Campers will develop outdoors skills, build shelters, paddle the lake, create nature art and explore the forests of Lake St George!
For more information and to register please click
here
.
Camp Details:
Dates: August 6 to August 30, 2019 (Weekly, Monday to Friday)
Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm with optional extended care
Extended Care: 8:00 to 9:00 am | 4:00 to 5:30 pm ($15 per day or $60 per week)
Hot Lunch: Optional hot lunch available ($30 per week)
Ages: 5 to 12 years
Cost per week: $280 + HST (August 6 to 9: $224 + HST)
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GREENING THE HILL
ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES
Create a Beautiful Garden at a Low Cost!
Between March 25 and May 8, you can pre-order native plants, backyard composters and rain barrels (while quantities last) to help grow your healthy yard!
- Trees and shrubs - $5.99 each
- Sun or shade perennial flower kits - $26.39
- Edible shrub kits - $17.96
- Composters - $20.00
- Rain barrels - $49.72
New for 2019! Become a part of Richmond Hill's Butterflyway Project in partnership with the David Suzuki Foundation when you purchase and plant a perrenial flower kit.
On Saturday, May 25, pick up your order at our Healthy Yards Event from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Richmond Hill's Operations Centre. At the event, you can talk to gardening experts, win prizes, and take home free wood chips for your garden!.
Ash Tree Owners: It's Time to Take Action 
The Emerald Ash Borer is expected to kill all ash trees in Richmond Hill.
Ash trees on private propertyare the responsibility of the property owner. If you have an ash tree on your property, we recommend you consult with a qualified private tree care company about
management options that will protect your property and your safety.
Dead or dying trees on private property that pose a risk to public safety or property damage are subject to Richmond Hill's Property Standards By-law and Private Tree By-law.
Ash trees on public propertyare the responsibility of the City. Tree removal and replacement is ongoing.
Visit
RichmondHill.ca/EAB
for more information.
Community Stewardship Program
Tree Planting Events hosted by LEAF 
- Meander Park (101 Alpaca Drive)Saturday April 27, 2019 | 2:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. AND
- Sunday May 26, 2019 | 1 p.m.- 3 p.m.
Get outside to plant trees and shrubs! Wear long pants and closed toed shoes. For more information and to register, visit
www.yourleaf.ca or call 416-413-9244 x12.
Frog Watch Workshop hosted by TRCA
- Elgin West Community Centre (11099 Bathurst Street)
- Tuesday April 30, 2019 | 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Enjoy an interactive presentation about Ontario's frogs and toads and learn to identify them by their unique calls. Then join us for a hike to monitor local frog and toad populations!
For more information and to register, visit
www.trcastewardshipevents.ca
or
call 416-661-6600 ext. 5203.
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Electronic Waste Collection Event
The City of Richmond Hill has partnered with a qualified electronic waste recycler, Shift Recycling, to host this free e-waste drop-off event, taking place at the same time as and next door to our Public Works Open House and Healthy Yards event.
Have old electronics lying around? Drop them off to be recycled on May 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tom Graham Arena parking lot (1300 Elgin Mills Road East).
Items that will be accepted
- Computer equipment (laptops, desktops, servers and accessories such as keyboards, modems, routers, cables, printers and cartridges)
- Mobile devices (cell phones, smart phones, tablets, chargers)
- Audio/visual equipment (TVs, monitors, stereos, receivers, projectors)
- Batteries (single use or rechargeable alkaline only)
Items that will NOT be accepted
- Household appliances (ovens, dishwashers, toasters, blenders, etc.)
- Appliances containing coolant (fridges, water coolers, dehumidifiers)
- Car batteries/non-alkaline batteries
- Exercise equipment (treadmills, ellipticals, etc.)
- Toys and musical equipment (video game consoles, remote control toys, electric pianos, etc.)
Visit
https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/our-services/Garbage-and-Recycling-at-Your-Home.aspx for more information.
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Charge Your Electric Vehicle at City Facilities!
There are two Level 2 Electric Vehicle (EV) charge stations located in the City's parking lots at the following locations:
Municipal Offices
225 East Beaver Creek Road
Operations Centre
1200 Elgin Mills Road East
The charge stations are available to the public 24-hours a day, year round, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Why choose an Electric Vehicle?
- Save on fuel and maintenance costs.
- Access HOV lanes while driving alone with a green licence plate.
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollutants.
Richmond Hill supports the use of electric vehicles for their environmental and health benefits.
For more information about electric vehicles, visit
PlugnDrive.ca
.
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More Helpful Information and Environmental Initiatives
Let us help you fall in love with your yard
Take advantage of the Backyard Tree Planting Program this spring! A partnership between Richmond Hill, York Region and LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests), this program will help you:
- Assess the conditions in your yard
- Understand what will grow best
- Select trees, shrubs, and garden kits that you will love
- Ensure everything gets planted properly
- Do it all at a reasonable price!
LEAF offers Full Service Backyard Tree Planting, Do-it-Yourself Tree Planting, Native Garden Kits, and shrubs at subsidized rates.
For more information and to place an order, visit www.yourleaf.org or call 1-888-453-6504.
Certify your Backyard as a Wildlife Friendly Habitat!
The Canadian Wildlife Federation's Backyard Habitat Certification Program recognizes the amazing efforts Canadians are
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Photo Credit_ Canadian Wildlife Federation
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taking to meet the habitat needs of wildlife. Whether you have a small patio garden or several acres of land, you could work towards having your yard designated as wildlife friendly habitat!
Why certify your property?
- Join a community of Canadians helping local and migratory wildlife, including species at risk.
- Help raise community awareness about the importance of gardening with wildlife in mind.
- Certified gardens are eligible to obtain an official sign to place in their garden.
Visit
cwf-fcf.org
to learn more about eligibility and to apply for the program.
Curbside Giveaway
Help Take Care of our Water Resources
Using water wisely can reduce your water bill and help ensure a healthy supply of clean water for future generations.
You can conserve our water by:
- Using low-flow shower heads (7.6 litres per minute or less) and low-flow, dual-flush toilets (6 litres per flush or less). If the toilets in your home are more than 20 years old, they likely use 13-20 liters per flush!
- Only running full dishwasher and laundry loads
- Ensuring hot water pipes are well-insulated
Fill It Up at Our Hydration Station!
Richmond Hill's tap water is clean, safe, and affordable. Look for our "Fill It Up" water wagon at outdoor public
events and
sum
s & sum
mer camps.
In addition to drinking fountains and bottle filling taps, "Fill It Up" features child & wheelchair-accessible fountains and even a dog bowl tap!
Have Your Say on the Future of Transportation in Richmond Hill!
Do you commute by car? Ride your bike on the weekend? Take the train or bus?
This year, Richmond Hill is updating its Transportation Master Plan (TMP). As part of the process, updates will be identified for the active transportation (walking, cycling), recreational trail and road networks.
The TMP will consider current trends and technologies that will affect how we get around in the future. Share your ideas for transportation in Richmond Hill!
Visit RichmondHill.ca/MovingRH or follow us on Facebook and Twitter@myRichmondHill for opportunities to get involved and to learn more about the TMP update.
Protect Yourself Against West Nile Virus & Lyme Disease
West Nile Virus
is an illness with flu-like symptoms that can become  serious in some cases. The virus can be spread to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes.
You can reduce your risk of infection by taking a few simple precautions:
- Get rid of standing water, which provides a breeding ground for mosquitos.
- Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
- Use insect repellant.
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Lyme Disease is an inflammatory illness spread through bites from infected blacklegge
d ticks, also called deer ticks.
To protect yourself from tick bites:
- Use insect repellant when walking in grassy or wooded areas.
- Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
- Pull your socks over your pants.
- Look for ticks on your body, especially in the groin, scalp, underarm and back areas.
- Submit ticks to York Region Public Health for testing.
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Four Simple Ways to Reduce Your Clothing Waste
for more information.
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Richmond Hill Blooms 2019
Richmond Hill Blooms is a program designed to encourage residents to play a role in making Richmond Hill a more beautiful place to live, work and play by creating attractive, colourful and well-maintained front gardens and recognizing them. Neighbours, friends and relatives can nominate front gardens for recognition. You can even nominate your own garden!
The 2019 Nomination Period is Friday, May 31 to Friday, July 5.
Once the nomination period is open, you can nominate a garden by emailing
[email protected] or by calling 905-780-2977. Please be sure to include the address(es) of the garden(s) you are nominating, along with your name, address, telephone number and email address.
Other important dates Shortlist Judging: Wednesday, July 10 - Friday, July 26 - Final Judging: Monday, July 29 - Friday, August 16 Richmond Hill Blooms Gala: Thursday, September 19
Judging
Every nominated residential front garden is acknowledged with a recognition sign for their garden as part of the Richmond Hill Blooms program two-step nomination. Following this recognition, a short list of best gardens are identified by Richmond Hill staff horticulturalists. The Richmond Hill Garden and Horticultural Society then select the top three gardens per ward based on the Ontario Horticultural Association's Garden and Special Planting Criteria.
Program Changes
To ensure fairness and provide equal opportunity to all residents, first place winners in each ward will be ineligible from winning first, second or third place for a period of one year beginning with the 2019 program. This means that the 2018 first place winners can still be n ominated, however, they will not be considered for the Top Three Gardens in their ward this year.
For complete information please visit
https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/find-or-learn-about/Richmond-Hill-Blooms.aspx
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Yard Waste Schedule Changes
The schedule for yard waste collection is changing. Yard waste will no longer be collected on Mondays, it will now be collected on the regular waste collection day as follows:
- Starting on April 16 to October 11- Yard waste will be collected every other week on the garbage collection day
- From October 15 to December 6 - Yard waste will be collected weekly on the waste collection day
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