Ottawa Living on the Wild Side

In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly announced March 3 as World Wildlife Day. This year, the City Of Ottawa is joining Canada in a multi-national celebration, with over 170 countries agreeing to invest in wildlife conservation and raise awareness of global issues surrounding the longevity of plants and animals.

Ottawa’s wildlife campaign will exhibit an exposition of displays by local environmental organizations. It is a celebration of natural habitats and promoting the benefits conserving our green space provides to people.

Regulating interactions between people and wildlife is no easy feat. The reality is that flora and fauna exist co-dependently with mankind, and inevitably one cannot survive without the other. According to the United Nations Assembly, “Wildlife contributes to economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic aspects of sustainable development.”

Ottawa construction and development projects, including the current light rail prospect, must consider the impacts on the environment in the planning phases and must weigh the costs deterioration of green space will have on municipal budgets. Wildlife conservation is of great importance—a central issue underlying all phases of development and growth in Ottawa. Council aims to promote public awareness through understanding and respect, as well as through the implementation of new environmental initiatives and programs as part of a municipal wildlife strategy campaign.

“We don’t have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in the process of change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world,” said Activist Howard Zinn

Have a voice in preserving the coexisting relationship between Ottawans and the natural habitat. Visit Ottawa.ca  for more information.