WEST CARLETON – West Carleton has two snow moles ready for your winter walking conditions reports.

The City of Ottawa 2021 Snow Mole Campaign is underway and Coun. Eli El-Chantiry encourages you to report walking conditions in your area after a snowfall, and it’s as easy as sending an email.

“Last winter, West Carleton volunteer snow moles participated as part of 18 communities across the city,” El-Chantiry released in a statement today (Dec. 8). “With COVID-19, getting outdoors for fresh air and exercise will be even more important this winter for physical and mental health for all ages and abilities.”

The Snow Mole Campaign 2021 kicks off Jan. 4 through March. Team leaders welcome participation from all West Carleton residents to report walking conditions after a major snowfall.

Snow Moles are volunteers who report on what it’s like to walk outside on a winter day in Ottawa. The information they gather will be used by the Council on Aging of Ottawa (COA) to inform the city and others of ways that winter walkability can and should be improved.

“Anyone can be a snow mole, but we are particularly looking for seniors and children to participate, as well as people who use mobility devices (e.g. canes, walkers, and wheelchairs),” the COA released in a statement.

The COA advises those who want to volunteer as a snow mole pick a time of day when you need to go out (best after some winter weather has occurred such as a. snowfall or freezing rain), and a destination (e.g. bus stop, grocery store, school, bank, seniors centre, or library).

Use the Snow Mole questionnaire to audit your walk.

Complete the questionnaire online (preferred) or send a completed paper copy to the COA at 1247 Kilborn Ave., Ottawa, ON K1H 6K9.

Take and submit photos to: snowmoles@coaottawa.ca

“City roads operations values these eyes on the ground reports; putting safety first is paramount,” El-Chantiry said.

To learn more about the 2021 Snow Mole Campaign, contact West Carleton’s two community team leaders:

Carp: Margaret Dunn, at dunnm9@magma.ca

Kinburn: Mary Porritt at maryporritt65@gmail.com