Environmental
and Natural Resources
Township of Carling's Corporate Climate Action Plan
The Corporate Climate Action Plan (CCAP) is a document that will guide greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions for the Township of Carling’s municipal operations. This is a long-term initiative that will require engagement and support across various departments over a number of years. Through the actions outlined in this plan, the Township will strive to reduce its corporate GHG emissions by 10% below 2019 levels by 2030. As technology advances allow, the Township will strive to achieve a net-zero corporate GHG emission by 2050.
Mayors Monarch Challenge
In May 2017 the Council for the Township of Carling took the Mayors Monarch Pledge and committed to taking action to restore a habitat for the Monarch butterfly and other pollinators. The Monarch butterfly is an iconic species whose population has declined by 90% in the last 20 years. Through the National Wildlife Federation’s Mayor Challenge, communities from across North America have committed to creating a habitat for the monarch butterfly and pollinators. They have committed to educating their citizens about how they can make a difference at home and in their community. Staff, council and volunteers have been working on creating a monarch garden outside of the Township Office and the Carling Community Centre. We are encouraging ratepayers to do the same at their homes and cottages.
Reptile Conservation on Conservation Drive
Carling is home to many Species-at Risk including turtles and snakes. All reptiles are at-risk of road mortality as they move between habitats, snakes as they bask on the roads and turtles as they nest on road shoulders. The Georgian Bay Biosphere partnered with the Township to install mitigation measures at high-risk wetland crossings on Conservation Drive.
Quick References
we have added a quick reference guide relating to various environmental and natural resource information.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the Carling team in the contact form below.
Environmental & Sustainability Organizations
Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council (EGBSC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-based organization that works along the Eastern shore of Georgian Bay and nearby inland territory.
What the EGBSC Does
- Supports survey work for fish and other aquatic habitats
- Rehabilitates fish spawning beds and nests
- Saves habitats for species at risk
- Monitors water bodies for invasive species
Contact the EGBSC:
Phone: 705-685-7532
Email: egbaystewardship@gmail.com
Website: LINK
Georgian Bay Biosphere (GBB) is a not-for-profit community organization that protects the UNESCO Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve.
What the GBB Does
- Supports biodiversity and sustainable development
- Fosters a shared responsibility for the Georgian Bay Biosphere
- Holds species at risk and other educational outreach programs
Contact the GBB
Phone: 705-774-0978
Email: Info@gbbr.ca
Website: LINK
Georgian Bay Land Trust (GBLT) is a not-for-profit registered charity supported by people who love and want to protect the wilderness of Georgian Bay. Consult their Visitors Guide before visiting their protected properties.
What GBLT Does
- Stewards gifted or sold wilderness land
- Tracts environmental changes on protected properties
- Provides educational outreach programs (e.g. school trips, seminars and guided tours)
- Protects the habitats of wildlife and fauna
Contact GBLT
Phone: 416-440-1519
Email: info@gblt.org
Website: LINK
The Integrated Community Energy & Climate Action Plans (ICECAP) is a partnership between the Municipalities and First Nations located in the Georgian Bay Biosphere region. The purpose of ICECAP is for a collaborative, more cost-effective approach to energy management and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for the operations of each corporate stakeholder, for each participating community and for the border region.
Objectives
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG)
- Improve energy efficiency
- Reduce the use of fossil fuels
- Adapt to a changing climate by building greater resilience
Township of Carling Corporate Climate Action Plan – DOWNLOAD
Invasive species are plants, animals, and micro-organisms that have been moved from their native habitat and introduced to an area where they reproduce quickly and crowd out native species. In Ontario, the Invasive Species Act prevents and controls their spread.
Key Invasive Plan Species in West Parry Sound
How to Help
Help to protect our natural vegetation and wildlife by identifying invasive species, reporting sightings, and stopping the spread.
information about invasive species in Ontario and what they look like. If you find invasive species on your property or in your community, report it:
- By calling the Township Office
- By Calling the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711
- Online using EDDMapS Ontario
- Visit the Invading Species Website
- Anglers
- Use live bait lawfully
- Never dump your bait into the water
- Use local bait to reduce the risk of introducing a species the isn’t normally found in the local area
- Rinse out your livewell before travelling to a new waterbody
- Never release prohibited invasive fish into a waterbody
- If you catch an invasive fish destroy it right away so it can’t reproduce or breed
- Boaters
- Before leaving the water, clean any mud, vegetation, or anything suspicions from your boat, motor and anchor
- Drain all standing water at the boat launch
- To remove invaders that you can’t see or that can live out of water, dry your boat for 2-7 days in sunlight or clean your boat with hot water (Over 50 C) or pressurizing water (over 250 psi)
- Avoid running the engine through aquatic plants
- Never transport or release a prohibited invasive species
- Cottagers
- Inspect your property and shoreline for any sign of invasion
- Use local firewood
- Make sure your trailers, bicycles, all-terrain vehicles and boot bottoms are free from plant material and seed-spreading mud
- Groom your pets to remove any seeds it might have picked up
- Gardeners
- Choose native or non-invasive species for your garden
- Root out and dispose invasive plants carefully to stop the spread of seeds
- Never buy, sell or cultivate regulated invasive plants
- Hikers
- Stay on designated paths in natural areas to avoid picking up seeds from the forest that should be spread elsewhere
- Clean all your gear after hiking for plants and mud that might be carrying invasive plant seeds
- Groom your pet to remove any seeds it might have pick up
This area is home to a number of plants and animals, unfortunately, a number of these have been designated at risk by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF). To find which species are at risk visit the Species at Risk page on the Georgain Bay Biosphere Reserve Website.
- Keep a record of biodiversity in your yard and let the Ministry of Natural Recourses and Fire know if you see any rare animal or plant so they can make them part of their of conservation efforts. You can also take part in bird counts, the turtle tally or a frog watch.
- Plant local flowering species and milkweed in clusters. Butterflies like yellow, pink, orange and purple flowers.
- Plant trees and plants native to where you live to provide food and habitat for species at risk.
- Invasive species can take over the territory of other native species. If you find invasive species, report sightings at the Ontario Invading Species Awareness Program.
- Reduce your ecological footprint and help conserve biodiversity
Useful Links
Contact the Cleks Department for more information on how
Carling is working towards environmental sustainability.
Available from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Monday – Friday
