Peterborough author, writing coach, and founder of Open Sky Stories, Erica Richmond leads a presentation all about the power of writing and sharing stories for students at Keith Wightman Public School in Peterborough. The author of the Pixie series and the co-author of the Mail Art Stories Project, Richmond is available to be booked as a speaker for a variety of engagements and audiences. In a tailored approach, she uses interactive presentations, readings from her books, and her own experiences to encourage people to approach writing from a place of safety rather than a place of fear. (Photo courtesy of Erica Richmond)
You can inspire your class, workplace, or community group to unlock their creative potential with the help of Erica Richmond. The Peterborough author, instructor, and writing coach is available to be booked for tailored speaking engagements focused on the power of stories.
Through her community Open Sky Stories, Richmond guides writers on their creative journeys through workshops, coaching, writing groups, and story sharing.
The author of the popular Pixie series (Pixie and the Bees and Pixie and the Fox), which follows a lovable character navigating complex and challenges feelings, Richmond is also the co-author of the Mail Art Stories Project and is currently working on a project of creative nonfiction called Yelling at Dead People.
Richmond’s speaking engagements do not focus on how to write a story, but rather why we write stories and the power that can be found in both writing and sharing them. She encourages her audience to do so by approaching it from a place of safety, rather than a place of fear. She shares her strategies for defeating imposter syndrome, knowing the importance of a rough first draft, overcoming writer’s block, ignoring the anxiety of sharing work, and believing that words matter.
“It doesn’t matter what that story is, we have to write from a place of safety to be confident putting pen to paper,” she says.
Richmond has presented for both children and adults in schools and libraries, at writing conferences, for women’s empowerment facilitation sessions, online, and for vulnerable populations. Tailoring her presentations to meet the needs of the group, she uses interactive components, including book readings, breakout groups, and writing prompts.
Peterborough author and Open Sky Stories founder Erica Richmond has opened registration for her upcoming “Progress in Writing” three-month online writing group for an investment of $350. Open to writers of all skill levels, the group will meet twice monthly for connection with an intimate group of like-minded creatives, structured and interactive learning, insight from peers, and accountability in writing. The group begins on February 13, 2025. (Photo: Jordan Lyall Photography)
No matter the event, she will share anecdotes and her own personal experiences in writing about her mental health in the Pixie series, and in writing about grief for her current work-in-progress, to show how she herself has found safety in putting pen to paper.
“Sharing my experience opens up conversations, because that’s what stories do,” she says.
Richmond is also accepting registration for her Writers in Progress three-month writing group, which kicks off Thursday, February 13th, for an investment of $350. Open to both beginners and experienced writers, the intimate group will meet twice per month for structured and interactive learning, discussions, feedback on work, and accountability.
Though she will be leading the sessions, Richmond will also be working on her own project alongside the participants.
“It’s a place to share this love and desire to write, which is huge because we often think we’re alone in anything creative,” she says.
For more information about Open Sky Stories and to keep up to date on events, visit openskystories.com. Follow Open Sky Stories on Instagram and Facebook.
Know Your Locals™ is a branded editorial feature about locally owned independent businesses and locally operated organizations, and supported by them. If your business or organization is interested in being featured in a future “Know Your Locals” branded editorial, contact Jeannine Taylor at 705-742-6404 or jt@kawarthanow.com or visit our Advertise with kawarthaNOW page.
Some of the bowls available at YWCA Peterborough Haliburton's "Empty Bowls" fundraiser in 2024. The 21st annual event, where attendees can select a bowl handcrafted by local artisans and enjoy lunch, returns to The Venue in downtown Peterborough on February 21, 2025, with proceeds support One City Peterborough and Kawartha Food Share. (Photo: YWCA Peterborough Haliburton)
The soup’s on to fight food insecurity in Peterborough.
YWCA Peterborough Haliburton has announced the launch of its 21st annual “Empty Bowls” fundraiser, which takes place on Friday, February 21 at The Venue at 86 George St. N. in downtown Peterborough.
The lunch-time event aims to raise money and boost awareness about food insecurity in the community.
Advertisement - content continues below
“This event is so important for the growing number of people in our community who struggle to meet basic nutritional needs,” Tina Thornton, director of philanthropy for YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, told kawarthaNOW.
“With rising costs of food and shelter, we know there is work to do at all levels of government to address the issues. The generosity of participants will help fill current gaps and empty bellies. Community-based food action programs develop relationships based on dignity while increasing access to nutritious food and referrals to other community initiatives.”
Empty Bowls will once again feature a variety of local participating restaurants providing a selection of food options. The ticket price includes one lunch meal to enjoy on-site and a one-of-a-kind ceramic bowl, hand-crafted and donated by local artisans.
Advertisement - content continues below
Proceeds from this year’s fundraiser will support two non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting those experiencing food insecurity: One City Peterborough and Kawartha Food Share.
“We’re so proud to support fellow non-profit organizations like One City and Kawartha Food Share, who are doing incredible work to help keep women and families fed around our community,” said Kim Dolan, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s executive director, in a media release.
Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. for “early bird” VIP ticket holders. VIP tickets are $75 each and include the top selection of lunch options and bowls. Doors then open at noon for general admission ticket holders. General admission tickets are $60 a piece.
YWCA Peterborough Haliburton is giving a shout-out to its 2025 Empty Bowls sponsors, including presenting sponsor Cornerstone Family Dentistry, location sponsor The Venue, bowl partner Kawartha Potters Guild, and all participating restaurants.
“We look forward to raising awareness and funding for food action programs, showcasing the beautiful bowls created and donated by members of the Kawartha Potters Guild, highlighting some amazing local restaurants, and connecting with friends, new and old, who are part of Peterborough’s strongly beating social justice heart,” Thornton said.
Advertisement - content continues below
Empty Bowls is a grassroots movement by artists and crafts people in cities around the world to care for and feed the hungry in their communities. Annual events support food-related charitable organizations, raising millions of dollars to help end hunger and address food insecurity.
Empty Bowls first came to Peterborough in 2003 when Karen Hjort-Jensen, then the YWCA’s director of housing, brought forward the concept and began the partnership with the Kawartha Potters Guild that remains to this day.
YWCA Peterborough Haliburton provides safety, resources, and support to help women and children safely escape violent situations, build upon their existing strength, and move forward in their lives. As a member of YWCA Canada, the local organization is part of a global movement dedicated to ending gender-based violence in all its forms.
Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning for Peterborough County and Kawartha Lakes overnight on Friday (January 21) into Saturday morning.
A cold front will move from north to south over the region Friday evening. Minimum temperatures near -20°C combined with northerly winds up to 20 kilometres per hour will give wind chill values near -30°C for several hours on Saturday morning.
While temperatures will remain cold on Saturday throughout the day and overnight, wind chill values will begin to improve Saturday afternoon as winds decrease.
Advertisement - content continues below
Peterborough Public Health has also issued a frostbite alert for the area.
Extreme cold puts everyone at risk. Watch for cold-related symptoms which include shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness, and colour change in fingers and toes.
Dress warmly in layers that you can remove if you get too warm (the outer layer should be wind resistant) and cover up exposed skin, as frostbite can develop within minutes, especially with wind chill.
Outdoor workers should take regularly scheduled breaks to warm up. Remember: if it’s too cold for you to stay outside, it’s too cold for your pet to stay outside.
Community Futures Peterborough executive director Devon Girard (right) with loans manager Braden Clark and financial administrator and program officer Abby Keenan meeting in the Business Advisory Centre's new advisory suite in the renovated basement level of Venture North in downtown Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of Community Futures Peterborough)
Peterborough entrepreneurs and small business owners are being invited to pull up a chair in a new space created by Community Futures Peterborough.
Home of the Business Advisory Centre, Community Futures Peterborough has announced the official launch of an advisory suite located in the renovated basement level of the Venture North building in downtown Peterborough.
According to a media release, the expansion marks the non-profit organization’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, providing enhanced business resources, and creating a vibrant hub for local economic growth.
Advertisement - content continues below
“Our goal is more entrepreneurs and business owners feel there is a space they can feel comfortable to ask questions and receive advice that will help them start or grow their business,” Devon Girard, executive director of Community Futures Peterborough, told kawarthaNOW.
“We want people to feel comfortable walking through our door and, when they leave our suite, to feel they received confidence and advice to pursue and achieve their business goals.”
The advisory suite is a fully furnished professional space designed to meet the evolving needs of entrepreneurs in Peterborough city and county, the release states. It features a state-of-the-art meeting room, a 360-degree camera device for integrated meetings and virtual workshops, a collaborative workspace, and a dedicated confidential advisory area.
Community Futures Peterborough executive director Devon Girard (left) with Business Advisory Centre manager Rose Terry (right) and business advisor Lindsey Irwin. The new advisory suite in the renovated basement level of Venture North in downtown Peterborough provides Terry and Irwin with dedicated space to provide business advisory support. (Photo courtesy of Community Futures Peterborough)
“The new advisory suite at the Business Advisory Centre will be more than just a meeting space — it’s a haven for creativity, ingenuity, and problem-solving,” noted Business Advisory Centre manager Rose Terry.
“Here, we are dedicated to walking alongside entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, whether starting, growing, or scaling their businesses. This unique expansion of our offices at Venture North are designed to inspire and motivate. It will act as a resource hub with the support needed to turn visions into reality.”
In 2024, Community Futures Peterborough assumed responsibility for the Business Advisory Centre — which is funded by the Ontario government with operational funding from the city and county of Peterborough — from the now-defunct Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development.
Advertisement - content continues below
Since then, the Community Futures office has been “bursting at the seams,” according to the release, driven by increased demand from those interested in business support services as well as the addition of two new staff members and multiple programs.
The organization says the expansion will alleviate space constraints and increase its capacity to support local entrepreneurs. The suite also provides Terry, along with Business Advisory Centre business advisor Lindsey Irwin, with dedicated space to provide business advisory support.
“It enhances our ability to offer one-on-one guidance and creates a dedicated workshop space allowing for increased collaboration among local business owners,” Girard said.
Advertisement - content continues below
Community Futures Peterborough says the suite has been designed in a way “to foster connectivity and accessibility, offering an ideal venue for small workshops, meetings, and mentoring sessions.”
“We’ve been inundated with business owners, each with unique ideas, hopes, and dreams for their businesses,” Irwin says. “This space gives them the chance to speak freely and confidentially, fostering genuine conversations and meaningful support.”
Funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), Community Futures Peterborough has been providing financing and business advisory support for entrepreneurs in the city and county of Peterborough since 1985, investing more than $42 million in over 1,300 small businesses that have created or maintained more than 4,300 jobs in the city and county.
After studying ecosystem management at Fleming College, Rebecca Jackson discovered a passion for fishing and an interest in conservation and is now a supply chain lead at Lucky Strike Bait Works in Peterborough. Connections Kawartha, a new program from the Kawartha Manufacturers Association, is breaking down misperceptions around careers in manufacturing by sharing stories about local youth who have found success in an industry that can align with their passions and interests. (Photo courtesy of Kawartha Manufacturers Association)
In tenth grade, Macalister Burke was introduced to the world of computer-aided design (CAD) and robotics, and it changed his career trajectory.
Now in his final semester of Grade 12, he has completed a co-op placement at a local start-up, has started studying robotics and 3D modelling, and will continue to compete with the Fenelon Falls Secondary School robotics team.
All this development began with a connection made through Connections Kawartha, a new program from the Kawartha Manufacturers Association (KMA) that matched Burke’s interests with the leadership team at Cormor, a newly established innovative 3D construction printing company based in Peterborough.
Advertisement - content continues below
Share on Bluesky
Through Connections Kawartha, KMA is breaking down misperceptions about employment opportunities in manufacturing by showcasing meaningful, viable, and rewarding careers in the industry. With the Instagram account @connections.kawartha as the method of delivery, the program’s goal is to foster connections by spotlighting local stories with insight from industry leaders and the emerging employees working in the sector.
“There’s a good part of the new generation that have no idea what manufacturing supply chain is and have a really wrong perception of it,” says Diane Richard, founder of Diatom Professional Consulting and a resource to the KMA board of directors.
“We started Connections Kawartha to get true insights from the owners and plant managers around who is successful, what capabilities they’re looking for, who gets promoted, and what the career path looks like. Then, we’re sharing stories of youth in the community under 30 years old who all followed a different path (in the industry).”
Grade 12 student Macalister Burke is a member of the Fenelon Falls Secondary School Falcon Automation Team. An introduction to computer-aided design and robotics in Grade 10 led him on a new career path that included a co-op placement at Cormor, a new local 3D construction printing company based in Peterborough. (Photo courtesy of Kawartha Manufacturers Association)
Founded in 1990, KMA is an advocacy group bringing the leaders of individual manufacturing companies in the Kawarthas together to provide networking, create and promote opportunities, and share concerns that lead to policy. Often working to address industry problems, KMA has identified a potential concern about the number of long-time employees currently in the local workforce who will soon be leaving the industry.
“There’s a huge number of (people with) manufacturing expertise that will retire, so there’s that real angst of what are employers going to do as, at the same time, we are not getting the pipeline of new people into these roles at all,” Richard says.
She explains that one of the barriers of attracting young people is a negative perception associated with how the manufacuring industry describes career opportunities. As an example, she points to the language commonly used in industry, highlighting how using terms like “skilled trades” for jobs requiring licensed skills, or those that require post-secondary education such as electronics and welding, implies that other jobs are “unskilled.”
“These are technicians who are very, very highly skilled,” she says. “Years ago, top graduates of university went into manufacturing but, over time, these are not seen as the preeminent jobs in society. I don’t know what happened, but (the jobs) haven’t really changed.”
She adds that young people may not see “general labour” as a desirable career path, despite the fact that an entry-level position in manufacturing is no different, for example, than a software technician who might begin in customer service before ascending the career ladder.
Advertisement - content continues below
Share on Bluesky
For his part, Burke explored a number of skill developmental opportunities as a co-op student over the course of a semester. In his Connections Kawartha feature with KMA, he shared that, in working with a start-up like Cormor, he was exposed to many aspects of running the company and worked directly with the team leaders to learn about their roles.
“I have helped create manuals, compiled data on test prints, learned how to develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), and been challenged in areas I have never been challenged in before,” he wrote to KMA, noting he has learned a lot about the industry and himself. “I discovered that I enjoy getting down and dirty and engaging in physical work.”
Richard says that having a range of different opportunities in manufacturing mean students are still able to explore whatever interests them when it comes to post-secondary education, without having to make career decisions in the eleventh grade.
“Take whatever you’re interested in, whatever you want to learn — whether it be business or science or anything else — because the majority of roles in the industry come as completely agnostic to those skill sets,” says Richard. “People get there from all over.”
With the theme “Yes, in my backyard,” the new Connections Kawartha program from the Kawartha Manufacturers Association aims to encourage young people to think about manufacturing supply chain employment opportunities right here in the Kawarthas, such as at Central Smith Creamery in Selwyn. (Photo courtesy of Kawartha Manufacturers Association)
One of the other young people featured through Connections Kawartha, Rebecca Jackson is an example of how pursuing a seemingly unrelated career path can still lead to a job in manufacturing.
After studying as an Ecosystem Management Technician at Fleming College, she discovered a passion for fishing and an interest in conservation. When she passed by the Lucky Strike Bait Works building in Peterborough one day, she decided to email the company to ask about job openings.
“I shared my passion for the environment and fishing, and it led to an incredible opportunity,” Jackson shared in her Connections Kawartha feature.
Now a supply chain resource at Lucky Strike Bait Works, she enjoys networking with customers and participating in conservation events — showing how a job in manufacturing can still align with personal passions and interests.
Advertisement - content continues below
Share on Bluesky
Jackson Gougeon is another young person who shared his story with Connections Kawartha. Although he was originally interested in pursuing a career as an athletic therapist, he became interested in manufacturing while taking welding and auto shop classes in high school.
That led him to begin working as a labourer at TS Manufacturing in Lindsay, assisting with machine assembly, fabricating components, and helping around the shop. Realizing how much he loved working directly with his hands, he then asked the company for a millwright apprenticeship.
He now enjoys greater responsibilities, including including building machines independently, tackling more complex tasks, and assisting in the installation and startup of equipment sold to customers.
Although Jackson Gougeon was originally interested in pursuing a career as an athletic therapist, he became interested in manufacturing while taking welding and auto shop classes in high school. He began working as a labourer at TS Manufacturing in Lindsay and, realizing how much he enjoyed working with his hands, asked the company for a millwright apprenticeship. (Photo courtesy of Kawartha Manufacturers Association)
In addition to spotlighting these stories of young adults finding their way into the manufacturing industry, Connections Kawartha highlights the perspectives of employers, who share what they are looking for from those they hire.
“We screen the manufacturers, so they have to be a highly viable, growing, successful business that predominantly promote from within,” Richard says. “They are good employers, the HR professionals are outstanding, and they have a formal development approach.”
Playing off the NIMBY acronym, the theme of Connections Kawartha is “Yes, in my backyard,” to encourage those entering the workforce to see the opportunities that exist within their own region.
“Yes, I could get a career; yes, there is a college here; yes, there’s a university; yes, there’s all kinds of clubs — and it’s all in my backyard, even if I don’t know it,” says Richard. “We have these initiatives to get people in and working together as one.”
Advertisement - content continues below
Share on Bluesky
Richard adds that careers in manufacturing provide transferable skills, which means youth don’t have to stick to one company throughout their career should they want to explore other opportunities.
“When we develop somebody in one company, we’re developing them for the community,” Richard points out.
With the help of Connections Kawartha, students like Burke can see a future for themselves in the manufacturing industry.
“My time with Cormor has made me more excited about the possibility of continuing to work with them this summer,” he shared with KMA. “I look forward to diving deeper into the manufacturing world and getting more experience in both CAD and hands-on aspects of manufacturing at the post-secondary level.”
To learn more about Connections Kawartha, follow @connections.kawartha on Instagram. Those who are interested or have questions are encouraged to send a direct message through Instagram.
Montreal-based indie singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Erik Fines is returning to his hometown of Peterborough to perform a show with local musicians at the Pig's Ear Tavern on Friday night. (Photo: Baby Horse Records)
Every Thursday, kawarthaNOW publishes live music events at pubs and restaurants in Peterborough and the greater Kawarthas region based on information that musicians provide directly or that venues post on their websites or social media channels. Here are the listings for the week of Thursday, January 30 to Wednesday, February 5.
If you’re a musician or venue owner and want to be included in our weekly listings, email our nightlifeNOW editor at nightlife@kawarthanow.com. For concerts and live music events at other venues, check out our Concerts & Live Music page.
With the exception of karaoke, we only list events with performing musicians. Venues may also host other events during the week (e.g., dancing, DJs, comedy shows).
On January 30, 2025, the City of Peterborough announced it had hired Darryl Julott as the city's new director of economic development. Julott will lead the city's new new economic development division. (Supplied photo)
The City of Peterborough has announced that Darryl Julott has been hired as the city’s new director of economic development effective February 10.
Julott will lead the city’s new economic development division, which was created after the city decided in 2024 not to renew its funding agreement with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED), which had previously provided economic development and tourism services on behalf of the city and the County of Peterborough for 25 years.
“Economic development activities, engagement, and promotion are critical to the success of our community and the quality of life for residents,” said Peterborough mayor Jeff Leal in a media release issued on Thursday (January 30). “We need to position Peterborough to foster sustainable development. By growing business activity, we can reduce the burden on the residential property tax base, which is essential for the financial health of our community.”
Advertisement - content continues below
Leal said he was “extremely excited” to welcome Julott to the new position.
“I’d also like to thank Jasbir Raina, Blair Nelson, Sarah McDougall Perrin, and Brad Appleby for their economic development work while we recruited our new director,” he added.
“Julott brings significant experience in economic development, partnerships, business investment, and innovation that will contribute alongside TeamPTBO in making Peterborough being a destination of choice,” reads the city’s release.
Advertisement - content continues below
From outside Peterborough, Julott spent 12 years as a manager and senior manager with Toronto-based Digital Main Street. A program and service that helps main street businesses achieve digital transformation, Digital Main Street receives funding from both the federal and provincial governments and has assisted more than 100,000 businesses across the country.
Most recently, Julott was hired as an economic development officer with the Municipality of Clarington in November. He has a bachelor of science in kinesiology and exercise from WIlfred Laurier University and a post-graduate certificate in sports and fitness administration and management from Durham College.
“I am looking forward to diving right in and immediately connecting and working with businesses in the City of Peterborough to contribute to fostering sustainable development and prosperity,” Julott said.
“Peterborough is poised for real, exciting growth. It’s an ideal location for businesses of all sizes. I am eager to meet with businesses to discuss how we can best support their investments in Peterborough and to collaborate on new ideas and approaches.”
Drugs, weapons, and cash seized after search warrants were executed on January 30, 2025, after an investigation into illegal drug activity at 351 and 353 John Street in the Town of Cobourg. (Photo: Cobourg Police Service)
Four Cobourg residents have been arrested and are facing multiple drugs and weapons charges after a multi-jurisdictional drug bust on Thursday (January 30).
As part of an ongoing enhanced enforcement strategy targeting illegal drug activity affecting Northumberland County, Cobourg police began an investigation into illegal drug activity at 351 and 353 John Street in the Town of Cobourg.
On Thursday, members of the Cobourg Police Service Criminal Investigations Bureau — with the assistance of the Port Hope Police Criminal Investigations Bureau, Ontario Provincial Police Tactical Response Unit and Emergency Response Team, Belleville Police canine unit, uniform officers, and special constables — simultaneously executed two search warrants at the two addresses.
Advertisement - content continues below
As a result of the search, police located and seized drugs with an estimated street value of $240,625, including around 344.5 grams of fentanyl, which police say is equivalent to 3,445 potentially fatal doses.
Police also seized around 125 grams of cocaine, 46 grams of heroin, 3.5 grams of crystal methamphetamine, $2,852 in Canadian currency, four crossbows, and several imitation firearms.
As a result of the investigation, four Cobourg residents — two 36-year-old men, a 39-year-old man, and a 29-year-old women — were arrested and jointly charged with possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine) and possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
Advertisement - content continues below
The two 36-year-old men were also jointly charged with three counts of possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking (fentanyl, heroin, and crystal methamphetamine), production of a Schedule I substance (opioid other than heroin), and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Each of the men was also charged with possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order.
All four of the accused were held in custody for a bail hearing.
At its meeting on January 28, 2025, Kawartha Lakes city council accepted a staff report recommending that kennel and pound services on behalf of the municipality be awarded once again to the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes, which had cancelled its service agreement with the municipality in March 2024 due to a strain on the organization. Pictured are society staff earlier in the month with a new van funded by the Lindsay Legacy C.H.E.S.T. Fund. (Photo: Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes)
The City of Kawartha Lakes and the local humane society will once again be working together for the sake of animals in the municipality.
During its regular council meeting on Wednesday (January 28), city council approved a staff report to authorize a single source award to the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes for kennel and pound services.
In its report to council, city staff also asked council to endorse the option to renew the contract after the initial term, ending December 31, 2025, for an additional four one-year terms.
Advertisement - content continues below
The report addresses reinstating the feral cat trap neuter return initiative and the domestic stray cat pilot project as well as finding a primary location for kennel and pound services for the city.
Council received the report during the meeting and passed its recommendations without discussion.
The report states that, back in March of 2024, the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes cancelled its service agreement with the City of Kawartha Lakes, leaving the municipality with no kennel and pound services for animals found at large in the community.
“This decision was due to the unprecedented strain on their organization resulting from the drastic increase in the local pet population brought on by the pandemic,” according to an April 2024 media release from the city.
Advertisement - content continues below
Municipal law enforcement staff, in conjunction with procurement services, attempted to find a primary animal shelter in the surrounding areas that would provide kennel and pound services on behalf of the municipality.
“At the time, the local area shelters were unable to commit to being the city’s primary shelter,” the report states. “This lack of commitment was due to their own business obligations. City access to other municipal shelters in border municipalities was extremely limited, as these locations supported their local municipal programs.”
Staff continued to search for a dedicated solution for pound services and dog and cat related programs and established base services with a few agencies, but not at a level to support all services.
According to the report, an unspecified “change of focus” at the Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes “resulted in new discussions regarding city animal services, leading the two parties to discuss an agreement to provide kennel and pound services.”
Advertisement - content continues below
The feral cat trap neuter return and the domestic stray cat pilot project are also included in the agreement as individual items, with the pilot projects concluding on December 31, 2025.
“The Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes as an agency, with their current programs, is well-positioned to support municipal law enforcement services,” the report states. “As a dedicated contractor to support the city with services related to the dog and cat programs, an agreement is needed to move forward.”
“In addition to creating collaborative instructional materials for the public, the re-established partnership with the (Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes) along with internal training for municipal law enforcement and (humane society) personnel will strengthen agency-to-agency ties.”
The 2025 municipal law enforcement operating budget includes $90,500 for kennel and pound services, the feral cat trap neuter return, and the domestic stray cat pilot, according to the report.
Young Earth Adventures Camp participants immersed in nature. GreenUP education programs are designed to foster a deep and lasting connection between children and the natural world through hands-on experience. (Photo: Jessica Todd / GreenUP)
Each week, GreenUP provides a story related to the environment. This week’s story is by Melissa Morris, Education Program Coordinator, GreenUP.
The steady cycle of planting, tending, and harvesting is a powerful reminder for navigating difficult times. Nature teaches us patience, persistence, and resilience — lessons that are essential for today’s youth as they face an increasingly complex world.
By engaging with the land, children learn to slow down, observe, and appreciate the rhythms of nature, understanding that change, and growth, take time — and that this effort creates valuable rewards. Intentionally fostering a connection to the natural world in children in a world that often values instant gratification is of vital importance for teaching them the quiet strength of nature, and that it deserves respect.
Summer camps and school field trips that welcome young school-age children into dynamic nature-based programs bring curriculum to life. GreenUP’s educational programs often begin with a social contract that includes respect for others, respect for ourselves, and respect for nature. Children then engage in hands-on exploration and learning.
Advertisement - content continues below
GreenUP has adopted local approaches to programs as a collaborator in Pathway to Stewardship and Kinship, a community-based initiative directed by Camp Kawartha and designed to foster a deep and lasting connection between children and the natural world.
Rooted in the idea that meaningful early experiences in nature help build environmental responsibility and well-being, the project provides a framework for educators, families, and community organizations to engage youth in hands-on, developmentally appropriate outdoor activities called Landmarks.
Many of these Landmarks, particularly in the early years, involve regular visits to favourite outdoor spaces, developing a sense of belonging, familiarity, and connection to place. GreenUP is very proud of the fact that for many young local residents, Ecology Park’s “five-acre urban oasis” is that place, and that lessons learned therein might be rooted deeply in who they have become.
A group of Earth Adventures Campers discover the fascinating properties of spider webs in a pre-game lesson from environmental educator Rachel Baehr at GreenUP Ecology Park. (Photo: Natalie Stephenson / GreenUP)
Another guiding principle that inspires GreenUP’s nature education programs is the concept of Two-Eyed Seeing, introduced by Mi’kmaq Elders Albert and Murdena Marshall. This approach encourages viewing the world through both the lens of Western knowledge and the lens of Indigenous wisdom, blending the strengths of both perspectives.
Scientific understanding of ecosystems, when combined with Indigenous teachings of interconnectedness and respect for the land, fosters a more holistic appreciation of the environment.
Through this approach, young people can develop a deeper understanding of their place within the natural world and the responsibility they hold in protecting it.
Advertisement - content continues below
The Peterborough Children’s Water Festival (PCWF), a collaborative educational event on which GreenUP is a lead organization, teaches students about this responsibility by engaging them in interactive, hands-on learning experiences that highlight the importance of water conservation, stewardship, and sustainability.
Each May, over 1,300 students gather at the PCWF to participate in activities focused on water quality, ecosystems, and human impact, and gain a deeper understanding of how their actions can affect our local waterways.
By nurturing a connection to our local rivers, lakes, and wetlands, the festival reinforces the idea that everyone has a role to play in safeguarding clean and accessible water for future generations.
Students at the 2024 Peterborough Children’s Water Festival examine locally and regionally significant aquatic species and learn ways to protect their ecosystem at a guest activity centre run by Otonabee Conservation. (Photo: Karen Halley)
Prioritizing youth engagement and environmental education is an opportunity to invest in and support the next generation to become equipped to confront the climate crisis with creativity and urgency. Immersive nature-based programs ensure that young people not only understand the challenges, but also develop into the leaders and advocates our planet desperately needs.
The ongoing Youth Climate Action Series for female-identifying, gender-diverse, and two-spirit youth ages 13 to 18 prepares participants to become those environmental leaders by engaging them to identify their own interests, deepen knowledge, and add new skill sets.
Through hands-on activities over five workshop sessions, the program demonstrates impactful practices and initiatives they can champion in their own schools, homes, and communities.
Advertisement - content continues below
By collecting personal experiences in nature, or even tending to a garden, it becomes clear that working with the land allows one to discover deep personal roots — the ability to adapt, persevere, and thrive no matter the circumstances.
Now more than ever, these lessons are critical.
For today’s youth, reconnecting with nature isn’t just a chance to escape the noise of modern life — it’s a blueprint for well-being and mental wellness.
Local grade 10 student Lee Birch works with electronics fixer Dylan Radcliffe to repair a lamp and save it from landfill at January’s “Fix It, Don’t Trash It” climate action repair workshop for youth. (Photo: Natalie Stephenson / GreenUP)
GreenUP provides children and families experiential opportunities to connect to nature and community in meaningful ways, whether it’s learning about sustainable ways of growing food, exploring local ecosystems, or discovering what actions can be taken to preserve and care for our shared environment.
Lessons from the land are timeless. By continuing to hold space for young people to learn, grow, and connect with nature, we plant the seeds for a future that is resilient, just, and in harmony with the world around us.
For information on GreenUP’s educational programs, e-mail Melissa Morris, GreenUP education program coordinator, at melissa.morris@greenup.on.ca, or visit greenup.on.ca.
kawarthaNOW.com offers two enews options to help readers stay in the know. Our VIP enews is delivered weekly every Wednesday morning and includes exclusive giveaways, and our news digest is delivered daily every morning. You can subscribe to one or both.
Submit your event for FREE!
Use our event submission form to post your event on our website — for free.
To submit editorial content or ideas, please contact us.
