Environment

Welcome to Burlington's Environment page.

Learn what we're doing to reduce our impact on the environment and how you can help by exploring the topics below. Consider subscribing to this and other environmental pages, including the Take Action Burlington blog, to stay up to date on our programs and initiatives.

You can find the 'subscribe to this page' button on the top right section of each page.

Climate Change

Citizen charging electric vehicle at EV station

Electric Vehicles

Energy

Environmental Programs

Forestry Operations

Garbage, recycling and green bin containers out on the sidewalk

Garbage and Recycling

Idling

Local Food

Water

Take Action Burlington

Check out the latest Take Action Burlington blog posts titled...

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On June 17, 2019, City of Burlington sustainability staff presented Take Action Burlington – An Update on Our Local Environment to Council. This report provides an overview on the state of Burlington’s environment including information on local sustainability efforts and actions that can be taken. A series of five posts were published at TakeActionBurlington.ca throughout the summer (overview, land, air, water and waste). An online story map about the report is also available.

Environment Events

Event	Details	Date
Urban EcoFarm	The Halton Environmental Network (HEN) is hosting virtual focus groups to examine the feasibility of an urban eco-farm to: Serve as a learning centre to increase residents' awareness of the impact of the food system on climate change and the environment; Engage and empower residents to grow food using small-scale solutions; Inspire citizens, through the food that they eat, to reduce their carbon "foodprint" and associated environmental impacts; and Contribute to a more sustainable and resilient community. When: June 8 and 10 from 7-8 pm for community members June 16 from 7 to 8 pm for gardening and agricultural organizations To participate,please email info@haltonenvironment.ca and indicate the date you would like to attend and the community where you are located (Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton or Oakville). Registrants will be emailed with connection details. This project is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.	June 8, 10 and 16 7 to 8 pm
BurlingtonGreen Green Up	Due to COVID-19, a community tree planting Green Up event can't take place this year. However, you can register and carry out Green Up activities at home and receive a free pack of native plant seeds, while supplies last. You will also be entered in a draw for additional prizes. Check out burlingtongreen.org/programs/clean-up-green-up/ for more information.	Ongoing
BurlingtonGreen Clean Up	Due to the current stay-at-home order, the Community Clean Up is temporarily postponed. Stay tuned for more information once the order is lifted.	Postponed until further notice

Enviro Fun @ Home

Activity	Source
Grow to Give goes virtual Nature Friendly Burlington monthly contest - January link here Waste sorting at home Recycle bin tips for litter Tackling take out waste DIY zero waste self care products Upcycle milk and juice cartons into bird feeders Scavenger hunt	BurlingtonGreen Environmental Organization
The library carries many environmentally themed books. Check out the eBooks for Earth Day collection list developed by staff. Wild, weird and wacky weather Creativebug - unlimited access to 1000+online art and craft classes taught by expert instructors Virtual events	Burlington Public Library
Outdoor winter play challenge - Dec. 14 to Feb. 19 Egg carton whale craft Tissue box monster Juice box school bus Toilet paper roll Marble painting Mail a hug Outdoor snakes and ladders	City of Burlington Parks and Recreation
With schools out for a while, Conservation Halton's outreach, stewardship, restoration and ecology experts developed Nature-Based Home Learning Resources that you can do with children to keep them busy and teach them a bit about nature. These include: Nature journal Nature guide Frog calling Bird calling Nature bingo Scavenger hunt Colouring pages Seek app Take the #TrashTag challenge Tree matching game Start your seeds indoors Start a 'lasagna garden' FishHeads #BackyardBarnyard Meet the animals	Conservation Halton's Nature-Based Home Learning
Check out environmental actions to do at home #EarthDayAtHome.	Earth Day Canada
Climate Kids - Everyone - big and small - can be part of the solution.	Government of Canada
Birdhouse kids activity Upcycled plant pot workshop Earth Day Bingo sheet Dig-in to gardening - gardening Q&A weekly series Wednesdays at 1 pm. Email grow@haltonfood.ca for more information or visit Halton Food's Twitter or Instagram pages. Mindfulness and meditation Square foot gardening	Halton Environment Network
Toilet paper roll crafts Fairy gnomes Here's the Salt Dough Recipe referenced in the fairy gnomes video: 2 cups flour 1 cup salt 1 cup cold water Add the cold water a little bit at a time, stirring in between. When all mixed knead for 5-10 minutes and shape as you please! Must be baked at 250 degrees for about 2 hours to harden your designs.	Museums of Burlington
RBG@Home Woodland ornaments Extracting leaf colours experiment Water absorption experiment How to make a seed necklace Painting with natural materials Make a nesting bag for birds Nesting materials experiment Can you make soil? All about pumpkins What makes a mushroom? Planting basil from seed Planting cold crops (arugula, beets, carrots, kale, lettuce, peas, radishes, spinach) Animals in winter Identifying trees with field biologist The science of nature as stress relief Get to know your neighbourhood trees Identifying and removing garlic mustard Wildlife charades Bird flap challenge	Royal Botanical Gardens

Environment News

March 4, 2021 - Burlington Climate Adaptation Plan
- Staff Report
- Appendix A - Climate Projections for Burlington Region
- Appendix B - Infographics for Burlington Region
- Presentation
- Climate Impacts Story Map
March 9, 2021 - Burlington Cycling Plan
- Staff Report
- Appendix A - Cycling facility definitions and photos
- Appendix B - Cycling Plan Maps
- Appendix C - Round 1 Engagement Summary Report
Check out Burlington's Climate Action Plan (on climate mitigation) and related initiatives at getinvolvedburlington.ca/climate-action-plan.
Read a message from Stuart Miller, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board on the benefits of walking or wheeling to school - Fall 2019.
July 15, 2019 - City of Burlington approves the 2018-2022 Burlington’s Plan: From Vision to Focus workplan which includes a Focus Area Supporting Sustainable Infrastructure and a Resilient Environment.
Take Action Burlington - An Update on Our Local Environment
- Staff Report
- Appendix A - Take Action Burlington - An Update on Our Local Environment
- Appendix B - SDC Recommendations
- Appendix C - Staff Update on SOER V Recommendations
- Story Map
- Take Action Burlington blog posts (overview, land, air, water and waste)
City of Burlington declares climate emergency.

Check out the latest blog posts at TakeActionBurlington.ca. #TakeActionBurlington #LiveGreenBurl
In June 2017, the City of Burlington was recognized for achieving all five milestones in the Partners for Climate Protection Program. Media release and blog post.
On June 22, 2015, Burlington City Council endorsed the City of Burlington's Blue Dot Declaration for the right to a healthy environment. Blue Dot is a project of the David Suzuki Foundation encouraging individuals and communities across Canada to declare their right to a healthy environment. View the Blue Dot report to Council