OSEAN wants to know: Do you visit the woods?

While you are out exploring McCarthy Woods, Meadows, Riverwalk or Revelstoke Path you may see these signs up! Read our guest blog by Tyler Locey to learn why:

These posters will be carefully placed at path entrances along the southern corridor green spaces. The QR code leads to simple “I visited” form.

This morning I took a walk through the McCarthy woods and Meadows. I chose these woods partially because Hunt Club Woods no longer stand after the federal Airport Authority chose to clear them. I am concerned the National Capital Commission (NCC), who says the McCarthy Woods and Southern Corridor is underutilized, may have plans to sell it to private developers. I created this QR code to track how many people are enjoying this greenspace for outdoor recreational activities. This adds yet another to the list of projects led by or coordinated with the Ottawa South Eco-Action Network (OSEAN).

The NCC proposed Development Reserve Zoning for the McCarthy Woods and Southern Corridor in in Ottawa’s draft Final Zoning by-law to signal their intention to develop the majority of these lands (including McCarthy Woods, the environmentally important connecting meadows, as well as a significant connection across Riverside drive to the Rideau River).

Fortunately, with the help of Councillor Riley Brockington, a motion was brought that was unanimously supported by City Council (on December 28) to introduce more protective zoning for the McCarthy Wood and Southern Corridor in the Final Zoning Bylaw keeping it safer in the eyes of the City. However, we at OSEAN fear the NCC, as a Federal entity, will supersede the city’s municipal authority, and try to sell this land in order to meet budget cuts.

We (at OSEAN) are putting up check-in locations to try to get data on how many people frequent these woods. Having concrete data such as check-ins can give more weight when we send delegates to city council or when working with other organizations. It also helps demonstrate the utilization of this greenspace.

Beyond the calm and beauty I experience when I traverse these woods, it’s also important to remember that this is an ecosystem, and home to hundreds of species of plants and animals. The Southern Corridor forms part of an “inner green belt.” This section spans the Rideau river, on the west side, from north of the Golf Course east through to Ramsayville, or north-east through Heron Gate, Coronation park, up to the Ottawa River. McCarthy Woods and meadows serve as a vital connection to key locations like Firefly Park in Greenboro, Grasshopper Hill Park in Alta Vista, Airport Parkway, Hog’s Back falls, and Mooney Bay for birds, insects such as butterflies and native bees, and other animals. For larger animals, the train tracks seem to be key paths to traverse and avoid traffic heavy areas, allowing these animals to connect to different ranges on the outskirts of Ottawa.

Not only is the McCarthy Woods and Southern Corridor situated in a key location, but the quality of the woods puts it on another level. In a comprehensive study of Urban Natural Areas across Ottawa, local experts have assessed the environmental quality of the woods and meadows - based on environmental criteria such as connectivity, size and shape, habitat maturation, natural communities, representative, representative flora, and wildlife flora. The 78.2 hectare McCarthy Woods UNA received an exceptional overall score, achieving the 7th highest ranking of hundreds of UNAs across Ottawa.

Ottawa South Eco-Action Network wants to keep these natural spaces green. Checking in when you visit these amazing vibrant ecosystems can help us protect them!