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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
If you're a budget-conscious post-secondary school student, you might be tempted to buy cheaper, single-use items. But it's more cost-effective in the long term to invest in eco-friendly reusable items, such as these plastic-free storage bags. Not only are they long-lasting, durable, and microwave, dishwasher, freezer, and oven safe, but they are easier to store when space is at a premium, unlike plastic storage containers. (Photo: Benjamin Hargreaves)

Living on a student budget doesn’t mean you can’t go green

For a bit more money upfront, you can save money in the long run and shrink your waste footprint.
The GreenUP Water Wise program recognizes residents that have adopted Water Wise landscaping practices, such as reducing the amount of lawn in their yard, planting drought-tolerant native species, and using a rain barrel, all of which help to reduce reliance on municipal water. (Photo: GreenUP)

You don’t have to run the sprinkler for a healthy lawn

For a Water Wise lawn, dethatch, mow high when dry, use a rain barrel, or swap grass for other ground cover.
The Peterborough Public Library is one of 78 organizations and businesses in the Kawarthas participating in GreenUP's BlueW program, where you can fill up your reusable water bottle with municipal tap water at no charge. Look for the BlueW sticker, or use the online map at the BlueWPtbo website to find a location where you can fill up. (Photo: Karen Halley)

Stay hydrated this summer wherever you are by filling up your reusable water bottle...

Kawarthas businesses and organizations participating in BlueW program offer municipal tap water with no strings.
On Saturday, July 27th, the streets of downtown Peterborough will be turned into an urban playground for Peterborough Pulse 2019. The fifth anniversary of the Open Streets event will see businesses, community organizations, and volunteers fill downtown with activities, displays, and installations while many hundreds of people walk, cycle, skateboard, roller skate and more through car-free downtown streets. (Photo courtesy of Peterborough Pulse)

Now a beloved summer event, Pulse returns to downtown Peterborough on July 27

Fifth anniversary Open Streets event brings community together with more than 50 family-friendly activities.
Periwinkle is frequently found at garden centres and sold as ornamental ground cover, but this non-native plant is extremely invasive in Ontario. Native plant alternatives include wild ginger, wild strawberry, or mayapple. (Photo: James Miller)

Showcase our natural heritage by replacing invasive plants with native ones in your garden

Understanding the difference between Ontario's native, aggressive, and invasive plants.
A Grade 5 student from Monsignor O'Donahue Catholic Elementary School demonstrates her riding skills on the Bike Playground, while funders and partners of the Pedal Power program look on. (Photo: Karen Halley)

Pedal Power teaches Peterborough Grade 5 students cycling skills and builds confidence

Program offered by GreenUP and B!KE has the potential to reach all youth in the community.
A scuba diver collects plastic water bottles from the ocean floor near Xiaoliuqiu Island on the south coast of Taiwan in 2017. Most single-use plastic water bottles do not get recycled but end up in the environment, where they can take up to 800 years to fully decompose. Using reusable drinking water containers instead of single-use plastic bottles is a simple step towards a more sustainable lifestyle. (Photo: Huai Su)

Boycotting single-use plastic water bottles is a big step towards a sustainable lifestyle

Manufacturing, distributing, and disposing of plastic water bottles eaves a huge carbon footprint.
As part of the NeighbourPLAN project for the Jackson Park-Brookdale neighbourhood in Peterborough, residents explored the neighbourhood on foot and shared their stories of living in the neighbourhood. Residents have now created "A Vision for the Jackson Park-Brookdale Neighbourhood", a document featuring innovative ideas that address residents' concerns and build upon existing assets. A celebration of the vision will take place on June 19, 2019 at Highland Heights Public School. (Photo: Karen Halley)

Residents of Jackson-Park Brookdale in Peterborough create a new vision for their neighbourhood

NeighbourPLAN project envisions a more connected community with safer and more accessible streets and sidewalks.
This certified Water Wise garden in Peterborough's East City features many common Water Wise elements including the use of ground cover, the lack of lawn, and drought-tolerant plants. In this week's column, GreenUP shares the the best tips on how you can create a low-maintenance and thriving garden this year. (Photo: Karen Halley)

Want a low-maintenance garden this year?

How you can work with natural water conditions to create thriving gardens.
Students attending the 2018 Peterborough Children's Water Festival hold up their favourite invertebrates. The Otonabee Conservation activity centre allowed children to get up close with many aquatic bugs and insects to understand how their unique features allow them to live in water. Last year's festival had registration numbers, prompting the festival's steering committee to add a third day in 2019. (Photo: Karen Halley / GreenUP)

Peterborough Children’s Water Festival expands with an extra day of hands-on water education

18th annual event for Peterborough-area elementary school students runs from May 18 to 20 at Riverview Park and Zoo.

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