Where clean meets green

NEWMARKET IS ONE OF ONTARIO’S FIRST COMMUNITIES TO ADOPT COMMUNITY ENERGY PLAN

As part of Newmarket’s continued commitment to being an environmental leader, the Town is one of the first communities in the province to adopt a Community Energy Plan (CEP) to reduce the community’s environmental footprint. The CEP looks at the types of energy we use as a community, the amount of energy we use in our homes, buildings and travel, and how population, employment and land use impact our energy needs.

Since creating the plan in 2016, the Town continues to make progress towards implementation.

NEWMARKET RAISES THE BAR IN SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY BUILDING

In early 2022, the Town finalized an agreement with Shining Hill Estates Collection Inc. that will secure a minimum of 80 acres of environmentally sensitive lands and build a sustainable community on Yonge Street in Newmarket.

The plans for the development include green and affordable housing options, including low impact development, new trails, dog park(s), a tennis clubhouse with courts, community garden, the planting of 5,000+ trees and more. The agreement also includes a $1 million contribution to the Town to establish a Town Green Environment Fund to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This represents a new standard in sustainable community building in Newmarket and aligns perfectly with the Town’s strong commitment to environmental stewardship.

NEWMARKET FURTHERS COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT WITH ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS

In 2021, the Town was proud to partner with Ivy Charging Network, which is building Ontario’s largest and most connected Electric Vehicle (EV) charging network, to open 10 EV charging stations at various locations in Newmarket. The new EV charging stations are located at Newmarket’s Magna Centre, the Municipal Offices, Old Town Hall and Riverwalk Commons.

TOWN CELEBRATES EARTH DAY BY ENCOURAGING TREE PLANTING

In 2019, the Town of Newmarket once again partnered with Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF) to encourage residents to plant more trees on private property through a Stormwater Rebate Program.

The Town of Newmarket continues to provide an extra $100 rebate towards the purchase of one new tree for residential property owners when they participate in the LEAF Backyard Tree Planting Program. This is part of the Town’s stormwater management efforts.

Among their many benefits, trees are able to reduce stormwater run-off. On average, a tree reduces a property’s stormwater run-off by 720 litres. Every tree planted through this partnership will contribute to Newmarket’s urban forest and have the potential to divert 36,000 litres of stormwater.

NEWMARKET CONTINUES TO EXPAND TREE CANOPY

In 2020, Newmarket planted over 500 trees to continue to expand the tree canopy as part of the Town’s Urban Forestry Management Plan. Trees provide stormwater management benefits, remove pollutants from the air and help to decrease energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).

It is the Town’s goal to protect existing trees and increase the Town’s tree canopy coverage in woodlots by 13 per cent by 2035 and increase the overall tree coverage by 35 per cent by 2051.

COMMUNITY PITCHES IN TO CLEAN UP PARKS AND GREENSPACES

For over 40 years, Newmarket has hosted a community cleanup where hundreds of volunteers come together to clean up their neighbourhoods and local greenspaces.

For two weeks in May, the Town provides cleanup kits to volunteers who help pick up debris around town. This event has been bringing the community together for decades to ensure Newmarket remains a beautiful and sustainable place to call home.

NEWMARKET CONTINUES TO BE A LEADER IN LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT

Newmarket continues to use Low Impact Development (LID), also known as green infrastructure, to help minimize the adverse effects of stormwater on the environment. Over the past 20 years, the Town has installed 58 LID elements at 19 sites. As part of the Town’s strong commitment to the environment, LIDs will

continue to be utilized to help prevent flooding, reduce pollutants in the water system and protect greenspaces, animals and their habitats.

PROUD TO BE A BEE CITY

Newmarket is very proud to be recognized as Canada’s 14th Bee City. Finding eco-friendly options instead of pesticides, creating a butterfly garden, planting milkweed seeds and educating local students on the importance of pollinators, are a few of the reasons why Newmarket was selected as a Bee City.

Bee City Canada is an organization focused on encouraging communities to become champions for pollinators. Bee City Canada is made up of researchers, educators, beekeepers, farmers, ecologists, community leaders and other committed individuals across Canada. Bee City Canada strives to help all Canadians understand the close connection with pollinators and their critical link to the health of the planet.