Take Action in the Community

In addition to greening your home, there are numerous ways that you and your family can help protect and enhance the natural environment and take positive action to deal with climate change in our community.

We invite you to participate in Oak Ridges' community environmental events and/or monitoring projects.

  • Join us for the annual Oak Ridges Community Cleanup Day in April to help lean up the winter litter from our parks, wetlands and public areas. What a great way to spend time in the great outdoors with family, friends and neighbours. Your efforts will make a difference in the appearance of our Town and the wildlife will also be appreciative for a cleaner, healthier environment.

  • Plant some trees or native plants in a local park or public green space. The Oak Ridges Friends of the Environment works with the Town of Richmond Hill, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Evergreen, Ontario Streams and others on various restoration projects in our public spaces. Watch our E-news and check Upcoming Events for details on these events each spring and fall.

  • Consider participating in Project Feeder Watch to count and report the birds coming to your feeder in the winter. For further information visit: www.bsc-eoc.org/national/pfw.html

Increase your knowledge and understanding of our natural spaces and climate change issues by taking advantage of local educational activities.

  • Join us along with the Oak Ridges Trail Association or the Richmond Hill Naturalists for local nature hikes. This is a great way to learn about our natural spaces and their wonderful features.

  • The Richmond Hill Naturalists meet the 3rd Thursday of each month from September through April and have very informative speakers. Visit their web site: www.rhnaturalists.ca to get more information.

  • The Town of Richmond Hill offers an extensive year-round outdoor education program for children of various age groups. Let your children learn and teach you! See their Leisure Guide on the Town's web site at: www.richmondhill.ca/subpage.asp?pageid=parks_leisure_guide

  • Other government and environmental groups also offer workshops and/or provide extensive resources on their web sites. The York Region Environmental Alliance has an organic lawn care workshop program. York Region's Water for Tomorrow offers gardening workshops in the spring. Review our Resource List for more information.

Unfortunately, like every community, we have some challenging issues to deal with that require residents to assist by reporting unsavory or damaging activity.

  • Illegal dumping in our public spaces or along rural roads is a problem that degrades our community and costs taxpayers money for clean up. If you observe anyone dumping, please take note of the vehicle licence number and description along with any information about the individual, and report it to the Town By-Law Enforcement Office at 905-771-0198.

  • Vandalism is another challenge for our community. Again, this costs residents money and creates unsightly messes. This too should be reported as "silence is acceptance". If you notice vandalism in our parks, call the Parks Operation Centre at 904-884-8013. You can also call the York Region Police at 905-773-1221 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477). Of course for emergencies call 911.

  • Motorized vehicles are prohibited from parks and natural areas in Richmond Hill. They disturb the peaceful enjoyment for other park users and harass wildlife. Their speed along trails poses a safety hazard for pedestrians and cyclists. Off-trail riding also damages natural features and wildlife nesting areas. The Oak Ridges Friends of the Environment has formed a partnership with the Richmond Hill By-Laws office and the York Region Police to assist in reducing this illegal activity in our community. You can assist by reporting information about observed use of motorized vehicles in these areas. Please take note of the vehicle(s) involved including the ATV, bike, trailer and truck/car and send the licence number, vehicle description along with the day, time and location to the Oak Ridges Friends at: orfe@oakridgesfriendsoftheenvironment.ca