Article by Heather Auld

The David Suzuki Foundation, led by David Suzuki and Tara Cullis, brought their “Stronger Together Tour” to Richmond Hill and York Region on February 28, 2026. The aim of the Tour and workshop was to inform environmental advocates, political leaders, and residents on the urgent realities of climate change and the pressing need for adaptation measures. Supporting partners included the City of Richmond Hill, Ontario Climate Emergency Campaign, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment and Community Resilience to Extreme Weather advocacy groups. Heather Ann Lowry and Heather Auld attended this workshop on behalf of the Richmond Hill Garden and Horticultural Society.

Background: Climate Change Responses

Historically in Canada (as in many countries), climate change action and funding at local, provincial and national levels have focused on raising public awareness and cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The third action, adaptation—taking steps to effectively cope with the changing climate and its impacts—has often been overlooked and funded at lower levels, partly due to fears in past that adaptation would distract from GHG emission reduction efforts.

But, despite international commitments and actions at all scales, GHG emissions have continued to climb, making adaptation essential. While renewable energy is expected to more than double by 2030, there are other changes worldwide that are threatening to increase GHG emissions. Current carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are higher than at any point in at least the last 2 million years(UNEP.org). Unsurprisingly, global temperatures from 2023-2025 have averaged at 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels, exceeding the 1.5°C threshold once seen internationally as a crucial limit for prosperity, survival and adaptation planning. In Canada, average temperatures have increased at more than twice the global average and at four times the global rate in our Arctic.

What are the options for communities?

Dr Suzuki highlighted that adaptation measures are essential now. Ongoing summer heatwaves, floods, droughts, record wildfire seasons, ice storms, and unpredictable winters are providing a wake-up call. Communities must not only reduce emissions but also adapt to these new climate realities. Effective adaptation actions are needed to empower communities to become more resilient to these changing risks. Since impacts vary regionally, adaptation strategies tend to focus on the community-level but need to be supported by national policies to maximize their effectiveness.

Longer term adaptation measures include changes to building codes, standards and other measures for the upgrading of existing infrastructure and building of new structures able to withstand changing extreme weather, drought and wildfires. Although urgently needed, these adaptation measures will take time to implement, meaning that communities will need additional protections.  In the meantime, existing ecosystems can provide some of this protection against growing climate hazards. Equally important will be community and social programs that can inform and empower people to respond effectively to changing weather and climate conditions. These proactive measures go beyond disaster response and relief and include support to build long-term resilience.

Emergency Management Planning and Climate Change

Included in the workshop was an activity featuring an emergency response situation for “Resilientville,” a flood-isolated area. The focus was to develop a 72-hour or longer self-reliance plan through community collaboration and use of still functioning facilities, resources and services. A lesson learned is that the most effective emergency responses when the impacts of extreme events first hit (within 72 hours) are often those implemented through community networks.

Although the emergency response exercise addressed a current weather event, emergency management planning also needs to account for evolving climate hazards. Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (2024) advises that municipalities and regions should factor climate change risks into emergency programs to safeguard infrastructure and public safety. Regional health units must assess changing climate risks in community emergency evaluations, and municipalities are urged to use scientific climate projections of the future for emergency, infrastructure, and land-use planning.

What are the “take away” messages for our Richmond Hill Garden and Horticultural Society?

Value of Nature-based Solutions, including Local Gardens

Building resilience to climate change requires time and money. While our communities wait for these large and upgraded infrastructure projects, nature-based solutions—such as preserving wetlands, forests, and green spaces—offer affordable and flexible alternatives but only if ecosystems remain healthy. When natural areas are limited, landowners can install rain gardens and plant native species suitable for the current and future climate. For example, rain gardens absorb some 30% more stormwater than lawns, help recharge groundwater, filter 80-90% of water pollutants and sediments, and support pollinators, beneficial insects, birds and other wiildlife. Meanwhile, the use of best gardening practices and some soil amendments (e.g. Wollastonite for plant resilience) can help to sequester carbon in the soil for the long-term. Expanding nature-based approaches lets communities reduce impacts, save costs, and protects against climate change uncertainties while gaining extra time for infrastructure upgrades.

About the Author:
Heather Auld is a Richmond Hill gardener with over 46 years' experience as a meteorologist and climatologist (retired). She has spent 32 years as a weather forecaster and climate adaptation expert for the Federal Government across Canada and 14 years as a climate adaptation consultant in the private sector. Heather has developed extreme weather and climate change design values for the National Building Code of Canada and other infrastructure standards, led the development of extreme weather guidance for municipal and provincial emergency management and provided expert testimony for many Canadian disaster inquiries. She has served on various international expert teams, including the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC lead author), World Meteorological Organization, U.N. Strategy for Disaster Reduction and Canadian delegations to the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity. 

Musings on Richmond Hill’s Second Meeting focused on Local Food.
Article by Heather Auld 

The City of Richmond Hill and Mayor David West, in partnership with the United Nations University (UNU) Institute of Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), hosted the second Speaker Series on “Sustainability in Our City.” The event was held at the Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts on June 19, 2025 under the theme “Planting for Sustainability,” with a focus on local food. A third event is scheduled for October 16, 2025 under the theme, “Celebrating Local Sustainability Success.” This session was recorded and should be accessible through the Mayor’s YouTube channel. One of the ten goals of Richmond Hill’s updated Environmental Strategy is to improve access to local food and support pollinators and their habitat. Local food, as referenced here, can be sourced from farms in the area, household gardens, community garden plots, high-rise balcony containers, or other local options.

Richmond Hill’s Environmental Strategy notes that locally grown food tends to offer healthier and more reliable food choices to its residents, supports pollinators and beneficial insects that control pests, and reduces Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions associated with long-distance transport of food.  As many RHGHS members and numerous studies can attest, gardening can increase our well-being and longevity, enable knowledge-sharing with other gardeners, and helps to build a stronger sense of community.

The panelists for this second meeting in the series provided perspectives on several questions posed online by the public. Many of these questions were general in nature and tied to other sustainability goals beyond local food. The panelists included:

• Dr. Rohit Ramchandani, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships Officer from UNU-INWEH
• Kate Greavette, Executive Director of the York Region Food Network
• Khrysta Lyn, Natural Environment Coordinator from the City of Richmond Hill
• David West, Mayor of Richmond Hill

The Mayor noted that he is the first generation in his family to eventually live and earn off-farm. He recalled the farming challenges in Niagara Region of growing “perfect” fruits without blemish or flaws that required the use of a variety of chemical sprays. Given his earlier farm background, Mayor West understands the importance of supporting local farmers, noting that when local farmers sell their products to the surrounding community, the result is improved understanding of farming challenges and support for a more diverse and vibrant community. Discussions followed on potential City measures to support local farmers, including subsidies, lower fees, better outreach, loyalty programs, and procurement support for the City’s services, including schools, hospitals, and businesses.

Dr Rohit Ramchandani commented that 70% of the world’s fresh water is being used for irrigation. Southern Ontario is fortunate in that its past climate generally supplied sufficient rainfall for growing crops compared to other regions of the world, although ongoing warming, lengthening summers along with increased evaporation may add pressures for irrigation. The Oak Ridges Moraine that straddles northern Richmond Hill stores a large volume of groundwater and is an important source of clean water for over 6 million Ontarians.

Richmond Hill is well known in York Region for its success in supporting community garden plots. In particular, the Forster Collective Garden in Phyllis Rawlinson Park offers many community plots. You can see a portion of this community garden in the above photo as taken by City staff.  Plots have modest rental rates, but with an additional requirement for community involvement and support for sustainable and organic gardening practices. This community plot model differs from other traditional allotment garden programs in that each member has their own plot and they also commit to a few hours a month towards the communal areas and work in our Donation Garden, dedicated to growing food for the Richmond Hill Community Food Bank. For further information on the Forster Collective Garden, please read more at this link.   They are also asked to provide a few house helping to maintain common garden areas, including a pollinator garden, herb garden, and native species garden. Members find that working on the donation crops provides a rewarding way to both share their knowledge and to connect meaningfully with others in the community. The community gardens are managed by dedicated volunteers known as the Forster Collective Garden group. Thanks to our members who help with those gardens:  Greta, Dinah, Linda, and others). The plots are fully subscribed this year, with a waitlist in place. For 2026, be sure to request a plot early if you are interested.

Further discussions during the event considered additional options to support community gardening opportunities. For example, smaller “manicured” lawn spaces currently owned and maintained by the City of Richmond Hill might provide greater benefits if used as community gardens. Known for providing gardening, cooking and preserving information, other benefits of The York Region Food Network include acting as a resource for groups in all parts of York Region who are interested in starting up new community gardens.

The OHA Earth Day celebration was held on April 25, 2025.  It was a lovely evening with excellent talks, each with its own Q&A session. There were two presenters:

• First was Emily Posteraro, from the Invasive Species Centre. She spoke about the Box Tree Moth & the Spotted Lanternfly both of which are invasive insects already found in our area. She shared who these insects impact us and our gardens and how the public can take action against them.  Emily’s video is accessible using this link. i.e. https://youtu.be/QBFgpXcCLZM
  
  
• Our second speaker was Kathy Smyth, OHA Past President, who spoke on The Ease of Growing Vegetables and Herbs. She talked about various Tips and Tricks for growing vegetables and herbs in raised beds and in many different types of containers. Kathy’s video is accessible using this link. i.e. https://youtu.be/LuJQjQRjLIs

We hope you enjoy these educational videos.

Doreen Coyne
OHA District 15 Director

The Richmond Hill Garden & Horticultural Society was well represented with 14 members attending Mayor David West’s inaugural Sustainability in Our City Speaker Series event held on March 18, 2025. The City of Richmond Hill, in partnership with the United Nations University’s (UNU) Institute of Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), plan to host additional events, with the second one slated for June 20.

This inaugural event was intended to help community members learn more about the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to relate these goals to local level actions. This event explored the questions, “what does sustainability mean to me?” and “how can I help?”. The format included a panel of subject matter experts – from UNU-INWEH, City (senior planner), LEAF (tree planting), and the Mayor. Citizens were invited to submit questions prior to and during the event for discussion by the panel.

While the term “Sustainable Development Goals” may sound abstract and lofty to many, the intent is relatively simple. Although often challenging, sustainable development actions at local to global levels are all about meeting the needs of people today without harming the ability of future generations to meet their needs down the road. The aim is to create a balance that benefits our land, air, nature, communities and people through actions that take care of people, the environment, and the economy all at the same time. To illustrate, the act of planting a tree today starts with the hope that we will benefit from its shade, beauty and maybe its fruits and that the tree, when it thrives, will ensure many benefits for future generation(s).

Canadian municipalities such as Richmond Hill and Toronto are on the frontlines of implementing various SDGs. The UN SDGs, adopted in 2015 and targeted to be reached by 2030, consist of 17 Goals shown in the figure. The SDGs track results such as clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, climate change resilience actions, sustainable cities planning, greenhouse gas emission reductions, equity, poverty reduction and many more. Many of these goals directly align with the services and policies that local governments provide and manage. While some progress has been made locally, nationally and globally, achieving all 17 goals remains a very significant challenge.

For Canada, Federal successes include the expansion of protected areas, pollution reduction, support for early learning and childcare education, expanded school food programs, engagement of indigenous communities, reductions in greenhouse gas targets while the economy builds, success with poverty reduction, and increased renewable energy adoption. Richmond Hill’s regional successes include its Partnership with the United Nations University (UNU), collaboration with the Urban Economy Forum, a Community Improvement Program that promotes affordable housing and sustainable design, engagement of LEAF in local tree planting, evaluation of development applications for their environmental impact, and bird strike prevention measures for infrastructure.

Do our gardens contribute to Richmond Hill’s SDGs?   

When added together, Richmond Hill’s gardens and parks can make significant contributions at the grassroots level to our City’s SDGs. The sum of our community’s gardens can:

• add to the absorption or sequestering of greenhouse gases and storage of carbon (#13),
• support biodiversity through native and near-native plants by providing habitats for pollinators, other insects and wildlife (#15),
• potentially improve water quality (e.g. rain gardens) and soil quality (#6),
• promote gardener’s good health and well-being, including the well-being of the community at large (#3),
• provide fresh food in support of food security (#12),
• reduce extreme rainfall flooding risks and water treatment (#13),
• reduce water treatment and consumption through rainwater harvesting, infiltration (#6, #7)
• reduce urban heating through greenery and shading (#7),
• contribute to cleaner air (#3), and
• all benefits listed (#11).

Article contributed by Heather Auld, a member of The Richmond Hill Garden & Horticultural Society
Illustration is a free United Nations resource at https://sdgs.un.org/goals 

Below is the link to the Earth Day presentation put on by our OHA as well as list of resources shared by Claudette Sims after the OHA Earth Day video.  
Regards, Doreen Coyne
President, Richmond Hill Garden & Horticultural Society

From the OHA:
We are excited to share the link to our Earth Day Celebration video which took place on April 19, 2024. Find it at this link:  https://youtu.be/u4iI3pApvHM

The OHA was very excited to have Claudette Sims speak at our Earth Day Celebration where she discussed "A Gardening Conundrum: Why are invasive plants sold in nurseries?  Invasive plants are a threat to biodiversity, human health and our economy. They threaten native plants, insects, animals and our forests. So why are they still sold in nurseries? This talk will answer that question and suggest actions that we can all take to safeguard biodiversity.

We also had the OHA's Conservation & Environmental Committee share "What's New for Societies/Clubs" and who provided an excellent presentation on  "Harmful Foreign Species Have Invaded Ontario - Learn how you can help stop the spread"  As discussed in the video, we have attached the plant sale information documents, flower show guidelines and invasive species document.

Special thanks goes out to Claudette Sims, Sandra Rammelaere, Joyce Schlegel, Debi Foster, Karen Redmond, Kathy Bouma and OHA President, Sharlene Desjardins for making it a very successful evening!

We have some excellent resources to share with everyone, care of Claudette Sims:

Invasive Plant Removal
·   General info: work in moist soil where possible; prioritize removing flowers to prevent seed formation; cut repeatedly at ground level; dig out entire plant and all roots; work on the invasive front first 
·   Best Management Practices for the removal of invasive species can be found at: https://www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca/resources/best-management-practices/ 
·  Phragmites https://www.ontarioinvasiveplants.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/OIPC_BMP_Phragmites_Feb212024_D13_WEB.pdf
·  How to    Remove DSV:  
https://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/invasive-species/meet-the-species/invasive-plants/dog-strangling-vine/
·  Paul Zammit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqA5JDnpAsw&t=1s (removal starts at 2:53) Priority is to remove the flowers so it doesn't reseed; don't pull it; continually cut at ground level; 

Invasive Plant Fact Sheets for Gardeners (Claudette/Master Gardeners)
·  Creeping-Bellflower   
·  Garlic Mustard
·  Goutweed 
·  Invasive Knotweeds - Information and Control

Invasive Plant Alternatives and native plant lists
·  Grow Me Instead Booklet (Southern Ontario)
·  Grow Me Instead Booklet (Northern Ontario)

From Thames Valley Conservation
·  Recommended Native Trees and Shrubs·  Recommended Native Wildflowers and Grasses
·  Tallgrass Prairie Plant Species Native to Middlesex, Oxford and Perth Counties
·  Tallgrass Prairie on the Farm

In Our Nature Resources Plant Lists
·  Alternative to invasive plants https://www.inournature.ca/native-alternatives-to-invasive-plants
·  21 Groundcovers https://www.inournature.ca/native-groundcovers
·  Low growing shrubs https://www.inournature.ca/low-growing-shrubs
·  Best shrubs https://www.inournature.ca/best-native-shrubs
·  All other lists: https://www.inournature.ca/resources

Forest Gene Conservation has native plant lists for specific areas in Ontario-click on your region-click on your district and a list pops up
·  Locate your ecodistrict https://fgca.net/species-conservation/native-species-learn/