Default Interior Banner

Environment

Town of Goderich Environmental Initiatives

 

Energy Conservation and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction: 

  • FCM’s Partner’s for Climate Protection (PCP) Program
    • Completed Milestone 1: Greenhouse Gas Inventory of the Corporation, as well as the Town of Goderich Community
    • Completed Milestone 2: Town of Goderich commits to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 15%-20% below 2019 levels for corporate operations by 2030 and to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 5%-10% below 2019 levels within the community by 2030
    • Working towards Milestone 3: developing a Climate Plan for the Corporation and Community
  • FCM’s Green Municipal Fund Community Building Retrofit:
    • The Town of Goderich is currently undertaking a greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction feasibility study for the Maitland Recreation Centre and Wastewater Treatment Plant. The purpose of this feasibility study will be to develop three scenarios:
      • Scenario 1: develop a 10-year roadmap that achieves a minimum of 50% reduction of on-site GHG emissions compared against current performance of each facility.
      • Scenario 2: develop a 20-year roadmap that achieves a minimum of 80% reduction of on-site GHG emissions compared against current performance of each facility.
      • Scenario 3: Develop a more aggressive deep retrofit roadmap using the energy conservation measures identified in the above scenarios but with 50% of on-site GHG reductions achieved within the first 5 years.
  • Further Energy Conservation projects can be found in the Town of Goderich 2024-2028 Conservation Demand Management Plan 
  • All streetlights and traffic lights within the Town of Goderich have been converted to LED
  • Within the Climate Change section of the Town’s Asset Management Policy, the municipality has committed to considering 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. This has been integrated into the Climate Change section of the Town’s Asset Management Policy
  • Staff working towards converting all Town-owned facilities to LED lighting

 

Recycling and Waste Reduction:

  • Implementation of curbside organics program September 2024
  • Installation of water filling stations for the public to reduce the use of single-use plastic. Locations include all four waterfront pavilions, Harbour Park, Courthouse Park, Victoria Park, Bannister Park, and Columbus Park.
  • Installation of recycling bins along the waterfront and cigarette butt receptacles around The Square
  • Support community shoreline clean-up events annually 

Shoreline Protection:

  • Placement of armour stone to protect the boardwalk, beaches, and water treatment facility from flooding during more intense storm events. Town of Goderich worked alongside the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority; received grant funding for this project.

Electric Charging Stations and Electric Municipal Fleet:

  • Installation of three municipally owned electric vehicle charging stations (6 ports) through a joint funding application with the County of Huron, Municipality of Huron East and Bruce Power. There are now seven Level 2 EV chargers and one Level 3 DC Fast Charger within the Town.
  • The Town of Goderich currently has three electric vehicles as part of the municipality’s fleet inventory (one vehicle for the Building Department and two electric vehicles for the By-Law Department).

Native Species Promotion and Invasive Species Removal:

  • Phragmites is an invasive species that has been found on the banks at the waterfront. The Town of Goderich has provided treatment to control its spread. The Town also provides treatment to other invasive species found throughout 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 treatment of weeds as opposed to other chemicals that are harmful to the environment.
  • Native tree species planted at the Goderich Municipal Child Care Playground (TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Grant Funding)

Air Quality: 

  • Air quality sensors installed at Town Hall. Please the “Air Quality” webpage for more information

Other Environment and Sustainability Related Documents:

  • Town of Goderich Special Events Policy:
    • incorporation of environmental practices within the Town’s Special Event Policy to assist event organizers in “greening” their events
  • Town of Goderich Climate Change Declaration:
  • Lake Huron Forever Pledge:
    • View the Town of Goderich Lake Huron Forever Pledge

    • What is the Lake Huron Forever Pledge?
      The Lake Huron Forever Pledge represents a community’s commitment to the protection of Lake Huron and a call to action to plan and implement projects that ensure clean water, robust local economies and vibrant communities. The pledge includes a framework of broad steps and goals that can be shared across communities as well as action items specific to each community.

      As more and more Michigan and Ontario municipalities sign onto the Lake Huron Forever Pledge, we have an opportunity to showcase their commitments, ensure the sustained health of our shared water and elevate visibility for Lake Huron across the Great Lakes basin.

    • Why did the Town of Goderich sign the Lake Huron Forever Pledge?
      The Town has a long history of not only addressing current environmental concerns but also taking proactive actions to protect natural resources for future generations. Lake Huron is a part of the local culture and identity. This pledge solidifies the Town’s dedication to this important asset.

    • What is the Town of Goderich pledging to do?
      The Lake Huron Forever Pledge outlines a commitment to the following actions:
      • We hereby pledge to create, implement and update a Lake Huron Forever Community Road Map.
      • We promise to serve as an example of how to proactively protect Lake Huron by sharing our work with other Lake Huron communities.
      • We will allocate resources (time, money, people) to understanding emerging needs and opportunities to protect Lake Huron Forever. 
      • We will commit to and encourage all community organizations and residents to take their own actions to protect Lake Huron, forever. 
      • We will give back to Lake Huron by examining management practices across municipal departments to identify ways to improve efforts to protect land and water resources.
      • We will share our pledge with neighbouring community leaders, as well as state, provincial and federal representatives to generate more conversation and positive action for Lake Huron and Lake Huron shoreline communities. 
      • In addition to the actions outlined above, the Town utilizes partnership programs and collaborative relationships to improve the health of Lake Huron. The Town has also prioritized integrating environmental designs into its projects and planning.

    • What are some examples of projects around the Goderich community that have positively impacted the health of Lake Huron and the environment?
      • Conducting volunteer beach clean-up events, hosted by the Lake Huron Coastal Centre, to keep area beaches clean and safe.
      • Promoting the importance of planting native trees and plants, while integrating more natural habitats within the Town of Goderich
      • Working with the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority’s Stewardship Service on tree planting initiatives
      • Monitoring grant related to energy efficiency, environment sustainability tree planting and active transportation to support municipal projects
      • Installing publicly available water filling stations to decrease single use plastic consumption
      • Adopting the Corporate Climate Change Declaration to formalize support for actions that will reduce the effects of climate change and support Ontario’s overall climate change strategy

2023-2026 Environment Committee

Environmental Action Committee - Terms of Reference

 

Drinking Water Source Protection

The members of the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Drinking Water Source Protection Committee are reaching out to the sectors they represent with engaging new videos. 

Watch the videos now: 

For more educational videos go to the Ausable Bayfield YouTube channel. 

Recite Me accessibility and Language Support