Mark your calendars! On Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025, CAFES will be hosting a community dialogue event in collaboration with Councillor Marty Carr and the City of Ottawa on invasive species management. This event is open to the community and will be held in-person at the Jim Durrell Recreation Centre, 1265 Walkley Road, between 10am and 1pm.

This dialogue event follows Councillor Carr’s staff inquiry at the February 18th, 2025 Environment and Climate Change Committee (ECCC) meeting to review the City’s invasive species programming and community stewardship opportunities. Staff have now released a report (see below), and this item is coming to the September 16th ECCC meeting agenda.

The community dialogue event on September 3rd is intended to gather community input in advance of the Sept 16th ECCC meeting. We plan on having opening presentations, breakout table conversations, and a large group discussion, followed by lunch. We anticipate many ideas and conversations will highlight the need for better community stewardship opportunities and expanded City programming for invasive species removal and replacement.

Stay tuned for more details! We look forward to seeing you all there.