SUBMITTED

Mississippi Mills Council continues to enhance the safety and sustainability of the community through several new climate action initiatives.

Launching this week, the Municipality is issuing a call for nominations for our newest roadside pollinator project. Residents are encouraged to fill out this form to choose a suitable location for a 1-kilometre pollinator habitat enhancement project. Please keep in mind the road must be rural, municipally-owned or one with a right-of-way maintained by the Municipality. Nominations will be open until September 20, with plans to complete the project this fall using an Ontario native seed mix that will benefit Monarchs and pollinators alike. 

“I’m very excited to lead these initiatives within the Municipality and work with Council and members of the public on developing a local Climate Action Plan to suit the unique needs of our community,” said Zachary Moshonas, Environmental Compliance Coordinator. “As a community, we can help guide Mississippi Mills to develop a sustainable and resilient place to live.” 

This project is part of the Municipality’s renewal of the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge in June. The National Wildlife Federation initiative aims to develop habitat for the Monarch butterfly and pollinators, as well as educate the public on how they can make a difference in the community. 

Mississippi Mills joined the Pledge in 2023 and supported a native plant seed giveaway, maintained milkweed in various municipal gardens, and launched its first native roadside pollinator habitat on Sugarbush Road.

In addition to the new roadside pollinator habitat, other action items for 2024 include building on 2023 achievements, as well as continued reduction of herbicides and pesticides and launching an invasive species removal program, which is aided by establishing native roadside species. 

Council has also approved the creation of a local Climate Action Plan (CAP) and to move forward with its development, Mississippi Mills has joined the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program. Guided by the PCP framework, the CAP will outline the current greenhouse gas emissions in the Municipality as a community and corporation, set reduction targets and develop attainable goals to reduce emissions.

“Implementation of a local Climate Action Plan is a key component of Council’s strategic priorities,” said Mayor Christa Lowry. “This plan and the related initiatives will help position the Municipality to better address and adapt to the local impacts of climate change and integrate guidelines for the future.” For more information on these and other climate action related projects, visit the Municipality’s new Climate Initiatives webpage.