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Articles by GreenUP

GreenUP
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For more than 30 years, Peterborough GreenUP has been central and eastern Ontario's leading environmental organization focused on education, sustainability, and stewardship. GreenUP is a non-profit charitable organization and an active community organization that offers dozens of programs and services to those living in Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes. For more information, visit greenup.on.ca
Standing in his yard backing onto a forest, Peterborough resident Lyn Jones assesses his property for fire risk. Climate events such as last spring's ice storm and summer drought have resulted in properties being littered with branches, brush, and other debris. These can create "fuel ladders," a pathway for wildfires to climb from the ground into the forest canopy. (Photo: Jackie Donaldson / GreenUP)

With climate change making wildfires worse, reducing risk starts close to home

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Peterborough landscape architect Basterfield and Associates says completing a fire hazard assessment is the first step to protect your property.
Kat Senyk in front of her upgraded home in Port Perry. Through her work experience leading exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS) overcladding projects, she was inspired to retrofit her own home's exterior insulation, contributing to a nearly 50 per cent reduction in energy use. (Photo: Adrian Merrit Smith)

Innovative exterior insulation system can help make older homes more energy efficient

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Port Perry homeowner Kat Senyk completely reclad and insulated her old home from the outside, helping to reduce energy use by nearly 50%.
B!KE program manager Jean Greig with kids' bikes in need of refurbishing. Through the Kids Bike Build program, B!KE volunteers repair donated bikes and provide them to partner organizations who distribute them to children and families who may not otherwise have the means to obtain one. (Photo courtesy of B!KE)

Kids Bike Build program in Peterborough gives new life to old bikes and new...

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B!KE's community-driven initiative promotes physical activity, independence, and environmental sustainability through refurbished rides.
Donning hip waders and safety gear, staff from Engage Engineering collect garbage in and along the creek beside their downtown Peterborough office every spring, and plant native species along the banks of the creek. The efforts of the business are bringing wildlife back to the area. Pictured are Steven Dingman, Dominik Jedrzejewski, Logan Mattern, and Joshua Burke. (Photo courtesy of Engage Engineering)

Peterborough business makes caring for the local environment a team effort

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Engage Engineering staff clean the creek beside their downtown office each spring, planting native species along its banks and attracting wildlife.
GreenUP education program coordinator Melanie Ellison and education and active transportation program manager Ashley Burnie Seeds in front of the Peterborough Transit bus that served as a classroom for Grade 7 and 8 students from St. Paul Catholic Elementary School in Lakefield on February 12, 2026. The students experienced hands-on education to familiarize them with riding transit safely and with confidence. (Photo: Melanie Ellison / GreenUP)

Selwyn Township partners with GreenUP and Peterborough Transit to teach rural youth how to...

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Grade 7 and 8 students from St. Paul Catholic Elementary School learn to read schedules, plan routes, and ride safely using The Link rural transit service
Also known as vermicomposting, worm composting transforms food waste into "black gold," a rich natural fertilizer that helps improve soil structure, increase water retention, and provide slow-release nutrients to optimize plant growth. (Photo: Callie Downer / Our Little Wormery)

Worms can turn food waste into ‘black gold’ and help fight climate change

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Callie Downer of Our Little Wormery in Peterborough explains how vermicomposting improves soil health and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
High volunteer rates are consistently associated with stronger social networks, higher capacity to support vulnerable populations, and increased community resilience during times of crisis. Surgical outpatient volunteers like Haniya Fazli greet patients at Peterborough Regional Health Centre before their procedures offering pre-surgical compassion, reassurance, and guidance. (Photo: Natasha Roulston / Peterborough Regional Health Centre)

Through a robust network of volunteers, Peterborough can become more proactive, resilient, and united

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To address declining rates of volunteerism, communities need to invest in the infrastructure that supports volunteers,
A representative of Morton Medical Centre in Douro-Dummer and GreenUP energy manager Clara Blakelock review optimal programmable thermostat settings during an energy efficiency walkthrough of the facility. GreenUP and the Peterborough DBIA are inviting small business owners to a free breakfast open house on February 18, 2026, where energy experts will be available to answer questions. (Photo: Jackie Donaldson / GreenUP)

Ask the energy experts: Free open house in Peterborough on February 18 targets small...

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Informal 'ask my anything' breakfast session hosted by Peterborough DBIA and GreenUP will cover heat pumps, solar energy, general efficiency upgrades, and more.
Allowing children to engage in play is an important way kids make sense of the world and understand their own boundaries. Climbing a snow pile (in a safe location) during a winter walk to school is a great example of letting kids take reasonable risks and gain confidence through play. (Photo: Clara Blakelock / GreenUP)

How a winter walk to school is both beneficial and fun for kids

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Active School Travel Peterborough encourages winter walking to boost children's physical, social, and emotional health.
GreenUP energy advisor Bryn Magee points to an electrical outlet on an exterior wall in the GreenUP office. In many older buildings, electrical outlets are sources of air leakage. Foam gaskets and plug protectors can help to staunch the flow of cold air. (Photo: Clara Blakelock / GreenUP)

Lower your heating bills and stay warm by sealing air leaks in your home

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In partnership with GreenUP, Better Homes Peterborough has launched an air sealing challenge for city homeowners,
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