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The Town has established an Environment Committee that oversees and advises on environmental-related issues. To learn more about the Environment Committee, visit our Committees of Council webpage.
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Energy Conservation and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs:
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- Partner's for Climate Protection (PCP) Program:
- To take action against climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing community resilience.
- Completed Milestone 1: Development of a Greenhouse Gas Inventory.
- Completed Milestone 2: Declared a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Milestone 3: Working towards the development of a Climate Plan.
- Green Municipal Fund Community Building Retrofit Program:
- Conducting a greenhouse gas reduction feasibility study for the Maitland Recreation Centre and Wastewater Treatment Plant.
- LED Initiatives: All streetlights and traffic lights within the Town of Goderich have been converted to LED, and staff are working towards converting all Town-owned facilities to LED lighting.
- Green Changes:
- The Town has committed to consider electric, energy-efficient, and other alternative fuel sources at an affordable lifecycle cost when any of its fleet, machinery, and equipment are due for replacement.
- Public Works has converted its equipment (small tools, such as weed whackers, chainsaws, etc.) to battery-operated, rather than gas-powered.
- Further Energy Conservation projects can be found in the 2024-2028 Conservation Demand Management Plan.
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Recycling and Waste Reduction:
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Curbside Organics Program: Launched in 2024.
Water Filling Stations: Installed to reduce single-use plastics. Locations include all four waterfront pavilions, Harbour Park, Courthouse Park, Victoria Park, Bannister Park, and Columbus Park.
Recycling Initiatives:
- Installed recycling bins along the waterfront and cigarette butt receptacles around the Square.
- Support community shoreline clean-up events annually.
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Shoreline Protection:
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Armour Stone: Used to protect vital areas from storm damage, funded by grants and in partnership with Maitland Valley Conservation Authority.
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Electric Vehicle and Fleet Initiatives:
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- EV Charging Stations: Seven Level 2 and one Level 3 DC Fast Charger in town, funded through a joint funding application with the County of Huron, Municipality of Huron East, and Bruce Power.
- Electric Vehicles: Three electric vehicles were added to the municipal fleet.
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Promoting Native Species and Invasive Species Removal:
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- Invasive Species Control:
- Regular treatments to manage and replace invasive species with native grasses.
- Phragmites is an invasive species that has been found on the banks at the waterfront. The Town has provided treatment to control its spread. The Town also provides treatment to other invasive species found throughout the Town, such as poison ivy on trails and Buckthorn within the Maitland Woods.
- The Parks Department, with assistance from the Coastal Conservation Youth Corp, continuously remove invasive Himalayan Blackberry and invasive Japanese Knotweed along the banks at the waterfront, while replacing these invasive species with native grasses to ensure bank stabilization.
- The Parks Department utilizes organically friendly vinegar for the treatment of weeds as opposed to other chemicals that are harmful to the environment.
- Tree Planting Initiatives:
- Planting native trees with community and grant support.
- Native tree species were planted at the Goderich Municipal Child Care Playground, funded through TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Grant Funding program.
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Air Quality:
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- Monitors Installed:
- Town Hall is equipped with air quality sensors.
- The Town has invested in an Air Quality sensor to monitor local air conditions. This sensor provides real-time updates on the air quality. Visit the "Air Quality" webpage for details.
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Other Initiatives:
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- Special Events Policy:
- Includes environmental practices.
- Climate Change Declaration:
- Lake Huron Forever Pledge:
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