Engaging with you for a sustainable Ottawa
This page covers our history, mission, how we work, the people behind EcoCity Ottawa, and how you can get involved.
Our History
EcoCity Ottawa is the new name for Ottawa Biosphere Eco-City (OBEC), established in March 2009 as a registered Canadian charity. We are a small, grassroots non-profit built on the belief that communities have the power to lead their own sustainability journey.
Our early work was guided by the Biosphere Eco-City (BEC) model, a framework built around Ten Themes of Sustainability: transportation, energy, design, habitat, food, natural capital, waste, health, recreation, and sense of place. We created a Database of Sustainability Projects to help groups learn from each other, and developed tools like Community Sustainability Plans to turn ideas into action.
2009
Ottawa Biosphere Eco-City (OBEC) founded as a registered Canadian charity.
2011
Launched our first demonstration project: an Agricultural Biodiversity Workshop and Working Group.
2013
Unveiled the Ottawa Sustainability Tour with Mayor Jim Watson: a self-guided tour of ten exceptional sites, built by 60+ volunteers.
2016
Rebranded as EcoCity Ottawa, refocusing on Public Action Labs and our growing Project Library.
2009
Ottawa Biosphere Eco-City (OBEC) founded as a registered Canadian charity.
2011
Launched our first demonstration project: an Agricultural Biodiversity Workshop and Working Group.
2013
Unveiled the Ottawa Sustainability Tour with Mayor Jim Watson: a self-guided tour of ten exceptional sites, built by 60+ volunteers.
2016
Rebranded as EcoCity Ottawa, refocusing on Public Action Labs and our growing Project Library.
Now in 2026, we operate as EcoCityOttawa.ca, concentrating on Public Action Labs and the EcoCity Project Library as our two primary programs for community-led sustainability action.
Mission · Vision · Values
Mission
To advance education by providing structured educational programs, and preparing and publishing course materials, on sustainability principles and practices.
Vision
A city where every community is empowered to create our sustainable future rooted in conversations, innovation, and shared responsibility.
Values
Sustainability - community engagement - Knowledge Sharing - Inclusivity - Connection to place - Action orientation Teamwork
OBEC Objectives
Here's how we put that mission into action:
Promote Sustainability
Encourage residents, organizations, and governments to adopt sustainable practices using the Ten Themes of Sustainability as a common framework.
Facilitate Community Engagement
Support local initiatives through tools, visibility, and platforms for collaboration, including the Public Action Lab (PAL).
Connect & Share Knowledge
Create space for groups to share ideas, best practices, and success stories through PAL and the EcoCity Ottawa online database.
Educate & Raise Awareness
Promote the balance of social, environmental, and economic well-being through public engagement, resources, and events.
Support Innovation & Collaboration
Foster cross-sector partnerships among residents, businesses, schools, and policymakers to co-create solutions tailored to Ottawa's unique context.
Start a Project in Your Community
Have an idea for a local sustainability initiative? We can help you shape it, support it, and share it
BEC Bridge
Our work is built on the Biosphere Eco-City (BEC) model: a community-based framework that blends ecological awareness with local action. It gives communities a shared language and practical tools to turn ideas into real change.
How the BEC model works
A shared language for community-led sustainability action.
Ten Themes of Sustainability
A common framework covering transportation, energy, design, habitat, food, natural capital, waste, health, recreation, and sense of place.
Three Drivers
Social Capital, Governance, and Sustainable Economy: the foundations that keep community efforts moving forward.
Group Engagement
Communities lead or join sustainability projects, big or small, across neighbourhoods and sectors.
Knowledge Sharing
Open sharing of ideas, resources, and success stories, so solutions can be replicated and adapted.
Flexible & Scalable
The BEC model adapts to any city, any size, anywhere in the world.
Ottawa First
Ottawa was the first city in the world to apply this model, pioneering a new way to build greener, connected cities.
Real change starts
in the community
BECs bridge the gap between environmental ideals and everyday urban life, turning neighborhoods into living examples of sustainability.
Community-Driven Sustainability
Change that is grassroots, inclusive, and meaningful, led by the people who know their neighbourhood best.
Stronger Connections
Working together builds social cohesion, civic pride, and a stronger sense of place.
Greener Living
Practical, everyday actions: reducing waste, supporting local food, using sustainable transport.
Climate Resilience
Communities using the BEC model are better equipped to handle climate change and environmental pressures.
Innovation & Collaboration
Cross-sector problem-solving between residents, businesses, schools, and government.
Health & Wellbeing
Green spaces, clean energy, and active lifestyles improve both physical and mental health.
Organizational Structure
OBEC promotes sustainability through accessible community-driven methods that encourage learning, sharing, and action:
Board of Directors
Responsible for strategic planning, oversight, and ensuring the organization meets its mission and regulatory obligations.
Executive Committee
Oversees day-to-day operations, partnerships, and project alignment with EcoCity Ottawa's sustainability goals.
Volunteers and Community Leads
The people who make it happen: driving Public Action Labs, Sustainability Tours, and Community Sustainability Plans across Ottawa.
Decentralized action, central support.
We believe in inclusive engagement. Community members and stakeholders are encouraged to co-develop projects and share knowledge across the network. Decentralized action, central support. We provide coordination, tools, and mentorship; the action happens in the community.
Full charitable transparency.
EcoCity Ottawa publishes project reports, hosts public meetings, and maintains an online database of sustainability initiatives, operating with full charitable transparency.
Join our mission
Make a difference
Help design, support, or lead local sustainability projects.