CBC Article: ‘Couple’s win forces Smiths Falls to revisit approach to ‘naturalized’ lawns’

NEWS

New article from CBC News featuring Beth and Craig Sinclair, who planted 150 trees and other native species in their front yard in Smiths Falls Ontario. The couple faced numerous visits from bylaw officers as their yard became an item on the council agenda, met with recommendations that they be required to tame their yard. 

After the Sinclairs appealed to Ontario’s Superior Court, the town backed down and rescinded the original order, earlier this month. 

Toronto Metropolitan University Professor Nina Marie Lister, weighed in on the matter. Her full quote can be found at the link to the full article below. 

This partial victory aligns with much of the research conducted by Professor Lister and EDL student work, such as the constructed model bylaw for biodiversity, which was used by the City of Toronto, in revising their own rules in governing the landscaping of yards on private property. The model bylaw can also be found below. 

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE:

Full CBC News Article: ‘Couple’s win forces Smiths Falls to revisit approach to ‘naturalized’ lawns’

RELATED RESOURCES:

CBC LISTEN: Nina-Marie Lister Interview on Smiths Falls case (6:50 mark for the story)

CBC LISTEN: ‘As it Happens’ Podcast – Smiths Falls case (1:07:30 mark for the story) 

CBC News: ‘Town’s lawn survey skewed, Smiths Falls couple says’

Global News: ‘Smiths Falls, Ont. couple battling over their naturalized yard’ 

Cottage Life: ‘Smiths Falls couple fight bylaw order to clean up their naturalized yard’

BYLAWS FOR BIODIVERSITY: Re-Modelling City of Toronto’s Municipal Code Chapter 489, Grass and Weeds

MODEL BY-LAW: TORONTO MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 489, LANDSCAPE STANDARDS