Pickering's
Continuing
S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y
J O U R N E Y
O
ver the years, Pickering has aimed to incorporate sustainability into all aspects of decision-making.
Amidst the pandemic, the City has worked to support local businesses in many ways, including through the award-winning Pickering City Centre Farmers’ Market. The TheseeortshavegrownandevolvedbutCity promoted a Virtual Farmers’ Market in remaingroundedinve fi objectives:Healthy the spring to help residents connect online Environment, Healthy Economy, Healthy with local farmers, bakers, and artisans. This Society, Responsible Development, and was followed by a unique in-person weekly Responsible Consumption. This includes market with a wide range of vendors. delivering a variety of award-winning initiatives throughout the community In addition to engaging with our community, focused on engagement and education, the City strives to help enhance the natural will dramatically reduce paper waste and sustainable development, local food, natural environment that provides ecological, health, make it more convenient for applicants. environment, energy, waste, and climate and recreational value to the community. change. These actions include restoration projects Pickering was also selected to undertake a to help restore the urban tree canopy, help Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Pickering is committed to building a pollinators, and initiatives such as the LEAF Project with ICLEI Canada Local connected, inclusive, and sustainable Backyard Tree Planting program. Governments for Sustainability. This project community through a diverse mix will help Pickering to further evaluate risks of engagement opportunities with The City aims to lead by example by and impacts to the community from climate residents, schools, businesses and the working to improve our facilities through change and to create a local adaptation development industry. This collaborative strategic energy and waste-diversion strategy. approachisreflectedininitiativeslike projects. This includes installing circuitthe Environmental Schools Grant, Park level monitoring technology at City Continuing the important work around Stewardship Program, Mayors’ Monarch facilitiesthathelpstatomonitorenergy sustainable development, the City received Pledge, Take Pride in Pickering Day, and the usage, identify energy-saving opportunities, funding from the Atmospheric Fund Sustainable Seaton: Community-Building and set performance targets. As well, to and Region of Durham to develop new Series.Theseeortswererecentlyhonoured help reduce waste and increase diversion Integrated Sustainable Design Standards. by the Ontario Parks Association who across our facilities, the City installed Oncenalized fi andapprovedthestandards awarded the City of Pickering with the 2021 165 user-friendly waste receptacles and will help ensure new development is Protecting Tomorrow Today® Community implemented initiatives such as paperless constructedinamannerthatreflects EngagementAwardforitseortsin permit applications. With more than 2,000 innovative sustainable best practices and sustainability. permits being received last year alone, this technology of today. These initiatives do not fully encompass Pickering’s sustainable journey, however, they highlight a few key areas. There are many fun and inspiring ways to make our lives and community more sustainable. Whether you decide to join a free educational workshop during Pickering’s Earth Month, conduct a litter cleanup, or join a community tree planting event, we encourage you to get involved and nd fi yourownwaytomakeameaningful impact in the community. Visit pickering.ca/sustainable to learn more about how we are working towards becoming one of the most sustainable cities in Canada! Your City Magazine - Issue 2 | 37
