2024 achievements include more trees, sustainable gardens and new partnerships

RICHMOND HILL – The City of Richmond Hill is proud to continue to build a more sustainable and resilient community.

A recent report to Council outlined the City’s 2024 Environment Strategy achievements and important partnerships that will help us achieve our sustainability goals. Here are some key highlights:

Leadership

• Honoured with the 2024 Ontario Nature Municipal Award for the community’s success in protecting and growing our tree canopy
• Became Canada’s first Urban Economy Forum “Frontrunner City”, helping to advocate for sustainable development worldwide
• Initiated a pilot project for the repurposed Connor Building, incorporating net-zero measures into its design for future learning and application to other buildings

Partnerships

• Expanded our urban sustainability potential by partnering with Urban Economy Forum and UN University Institute of Water, Environment, and Health (UNU-IWEH)
• Engaged residents and developers about home energy efficiency and other sustainability features through workshops, a survey and programs, in partnership with local municipalities, utilities and institutions
• Introduced more electric vehicle charging options in our community.

Community

• Worked with community members to establish two new food-producing collective gardens
• Grew our tree canopy by 10,361 trees – community volunteers planted 9,173 trees on City property through our Community Stewardship Program and residents planted 1,188 trees on private property through our Healthy Yards Program
• Cleaned up litter in 130 parks/trails and 110 streets/pathways during the Clean Up, Green Up event thanks to 10,500 community volunteers

Innovation

• Created new rain gardens at Minthorn Park and Dorothy Price Park, which will help control runoff during heavy storms while supporting pollinators and wildlife
• Converted an ornamental garden at Patterson Park into a butterfly habitat garden, which will reduce water use while supporting pollinators
• Completed installment of 10 Level 2 Electric Vehicle chargers at the Operations Centre to support 10 new electric fleet vehicles

For more information about Richmond Hill’s environmental programs, achievements and how to get involved, visit RichmondHill.ca/Environment.

Quotes

“Collaboration and innovation are key to achieving our sustainability goals. I’m excited about the environmental and economic potential of new partnerships with forward-thinking organizations like the UNU-INWEH and Urban Economy Forum. And I continue to be incredibly proud of the work the City and community have done together to protect our natural areas and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I encourage and invite everyone to get involved and I look forward to continuing this great work together.” - Mayor David West