Succession’s programs seek to promote the protection and preservation of the environment by developing and delivering educational programs on climate change, trees and greenspace, sustainable rural and urban lifestyles, reducing waste, and other related environmental topics.
Succession’s main program areas include: Trees and Greenspace, Climate Change, and Community Building for Environmental Action.
Succession supports community efforts to expand the tree canopy, protect trees, urban nature and greenspace. Here are some examples of past and current projects:
Trees for Tomorrow: Growing an Equitable Urban Canopy
Our partner CAFES closely monitors municipal programs and policies related to forestry and greenspace management at the municipal level and helps members take action to protect and plant trees. Through the Trees for Tomorrow project, CAFES worked to increase canopy in equity-deserving areas in Ottawa, spread awareness and education on urban greening and species recognition, plant trees and encourage their stewardship by local residents. In addition, with CAFES we have supported annual Mother’s Day Tree Giveaways in neighbourhoods across Ottawa.
The Million-Tree Initiative
In the aftermath of the Emerald Ash Borer invasive insect, which decimated 25% of Ottawa tree canopy, Succession, in collaboration with Ecology Ottawa, helped reforest the nation’s capital by planting trees across Ottawa.
Succession has supported community tree plantings across the city. These tree plantings, organized in collaboration with local schools, communities,and workplaces, encouraged local residents to take a leadership role in protecting and promoting their greenspaces.
Succession also undertook the largest tree-giveaway in Ottawa, distributing thousands of saplings to homeowners across the city. Ecology Ottawa continues their Tree Giveaway program, offering native seedlings through giveaways in communities across the city, prioritizing equity-deserving communities.
Succession supports community efforts to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change and local efforts to promote healthy and active transportation and climate resilience.
Electric School Buses
Succession has supported Ecology Ottawa’s work advocating for the electrification of Ontario’s school buses. This campaign highlights the health impacts of diesel exhaust on the over 800,000 Ontario students who ride the bus each day, and the climate opportunity of electrifying Ontario’s 20,000-bus fleet—currently among the least electrified in the country. Through public awareness campaigns, reports, canvassing, and direct engagement with bus operators, transportation consortia, and elected officials, Ecology Ottawa pushes for provincial funding, longer operator contracts, and stronger school board commitments to make the switch from diesel to electric.
Because IPCC: A Graphic Novel Book
Succession supported the production of Because IPCC, a graphic novel about climate change. It celebrates the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The graphic novel project is now dormant. It is published under creative commons licencing which allows reproductions or changes. View the legacy website here.
Succession supports strengthening networks and leadership for community-led environmental action.
Green Resilience Program
CAFES works to expand its environmental leadership and climate resilience efforts across Ottawa by strengthening community networks and increasing organizational capacity. By fostering connections between grassroots organizations, policymakers, and diverse community groups, CAFES aims to drive tangible environmental improvements at the neighborhood and city-wide level. CAFES works to grow a network of local environmental leaders in rural, suburban and urban neighbourhoods, and actively engaging culturally diverse communities. CAFES provides accessible, action-oriented toolkits that promote pragmatic solutions and collective resilience.
EcoYouth Ottawa Program
Succession has supported youth environmental leadership in Ottawa through Ecology Ottawa’s National Capital Environmental Youth Program, or EcoYouth Ottawa. The program consists of a youth council that meets monthly to learn about and strategize around environmental issues, and council members also prepare presentations on environmental topics to deliver in schools across the city. A Youth Summit is held every year, mobilizing youth around inspiring speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities. Ecology Ottawa’s annual Eco Awards include the celebration of three of Ottawa’s youth leaders.
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