Organizers of a climate change open house are hoping for a flurry of activity and input.
Springwater Township and the Severn Sound Environmental Association (SSEA) are hosting the second of two climate change action plan open houses on Thursday, July 11 starting at 5:30 p.m. at the township’s Administration Centre, 2231 Nursery Rd. in Midhurst.
The informal, drop-in style format of the event will allow the public the opportunity to learn more about the project and provide input on the final plan in a casual and relaxed environment.
Organizers will add the input from the event to the data they collected from about a dozen or so engaged citizens at the first open house in Elmvale on May 30.
“We had great conversations with residents, everyone was concerned about climate change and local environmental issues,” said Jon Main, sustainability and climate action coordinator for the SSEA. “One resident was a local farmer who has been supportive of the SSEA organization for many years and another was asking about green development standards and if the township could consider that policy tool so that new homes are built with new energy technologies (like air-source heat pumps or district energy) meaning that the new communities and subdivisions are efficient and low emissions.”
Springwater Township joined the Partners for Climate Protection program in March of 2022 and has committed to achieving five milestones within 10 years. The milestones require the township to calculate a corporate and community baseline, set a target for reduction and then develop and adopt a final plan.
“The township is excited to partner with Severn Sound Environmental Association, members of the community and local partners to develop the Climate Change Action Plan for Springwater,” said Briana Dean, manager of recreation, parks and facilities for the township. “The plan will help to provide strategic guidelines for the township to continue to enhance efficiency and improvements across our municipal facilities, fleet and equipment.
“It will reinforce our dedication to Goal 4 of the township’s 20-year community-based strategic plan, focusing on addressing climate change and promoting environmental sustainability,” she added.
According to Main, the Sustainable Severn Sound Local Climate Change Action Plan collaboration has been working on municipal climate change action since 2018 when the Towns of Midland and Penetanguishene, and the Townships of Tay, Tiny, Severn, and Georgian Bay joined the PCP program and developed their plans.
“With the Township of Oro-Medonte joining the program in June, we're really proud to have all of the Severn Sound municipalities collaborate on this important topic,” Main said.
Main said the collaboration has been successful in sharing resources, funding collaboration, peer learning, and working together on a regional scale.
He said Springwater is doing good work on making their facilities run efficiently and works with the County of Simcoe on emergency management issues and the NVCA (Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority) on flood protection.
“Working together on developing a local action plan will have a meaningful impact on the township and we're hopeful that the program has a positive benefit to the community,” Main said.
The township has created a local climate change action plan survey that can be completed online.
Featuring more than two dozen questions, it takes about five minutes to complete but covers a wide number of topics, from how you heat your home or business and how you get around the township to your views on climate change and flooding.
Main said they should have the results compiled later this year.
“We're hoping to present to council in the fall of 2024 as we put together the community feedback and present the local climate change action plan,” he said.
To complete the survey, click here.
