Vancouver: We’re giving away two pairs of tickets to attend Eat! Vancouver 2013

Green Earth Organics 15th Anniversary is coming up on June 1st and we already started to celebrate!  That's why we’re giving away two pairs of tickets to attend Eat! Vancouver at BC Place Stadium on May 24, 25 & 26, 2013.

For a chance to win just "Like" our Vancouver Facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/GreenEarthOrganicsVancouver 

The winners will be announced Tuesday May 21^st!  Share with your friends and family! Anyone can participate!

Eat! Vancouver is Canada’s largest consumer food festival. Celebrity chefs, popular local restaurants, wineries, food and beverage manufacturers, cookbook authors, retailers, artisans, and many others from the culinary world will come together for a three day public extravaganza at the newly refurbished BC Place Stadium. EAT! Vancouver encompasses unique food experiences, opportunities to learn behind-the-scenes culinary magic from professional chefs, dynamic entertainment through celebrity chef cooking demonstrations and culinary competitions, diverse food, beverage and cooking related exhibits; and of course fantastic shopping opportunities.

http://www.eat-vancouver.com/info_festival.html

Earth Hour 2011

Earth Hour is almost here again. On Saturday, March 26th, turn off your lights from 8:30 to 9:30 PM.

The City of North Vancouver has committed to turning off lights at City Hall, the Civic Works Yard facilities and the City Library for Earth Hour. See details.

The Fairmont Waterfront Hotel has created a special Earth Hour package in support of the World Wildlife Fund. See details.

Canada Place will be lowering 50% of the outdoor promenade lights to emergency lighting levels and turning off their two LED Screens for one hour as a symbolic gesture of their support.

What other events have you heard about? Does anyone know if the city of Vancouver is turning off the lights?

Gardening on the Job

At Green Earth Organics, we're big fans of Nature's Path cereals and granola bars. They are tasty, organic, and they offer delicious gluten-free options too. They are also a local success story: from humble beginnings in Richmond in 1967, they are now a third-generation enterprise with plants in Washington and Wisconsin and grain farms in Saskatchewan.

Now they are making the pages of "Organic Gardening" magazine (organicgardening.com) for their unique workplace gardens.

The full article is available at Corporate Gardens: Out of the Office", but here are a couple of excerpts:

Six years ago, we built a garden for the staff on company property. Located at the back of our head office, it measures about 2,400 square feet. Participation is open to the approximately 100 people who work here. To build it, we brought in a backhoe to remove a bramble and weed patch, installed a culvert, covered a ditch, and installed raised beds filled with fertile soil, compost, and manure—all organic, of course.

Apart from the organic produce each person enjoys, gardening is one of the healthiest exercises known. When we turn compost, till the soil, weed, and water, we benefit: We leave the soil better than we found it; we breathe fresh air and move to the rhythms of gardening; we enjoy community spirit; we watch firsthand the cycle of nature—from seed to mature plant, to harvest and the sharing of bounty. Having a company organic garden is a group effort, though much of the work inevitably falls on a few shoulders. To garden, we have to be willing to roll up our sleeves and get our boots dirty. For me, the company gardens are a natural extension of a love for nature and its wonderful bounties, as well as, in the words of the Persian poet Saadi, "a delight to the eye and a solace for the soul."

"Organic Gardening" also offers advice on how to start your own on-the-job garden, Grow in your Job, including:

Last year, Independent School Management, a private school management consulting firm in Wilmington, Delaware, put in three raised beds and a high trellis for vertical gardening on company land. The staff planted only vegetables that could be handpicked, that didn’t require cooking, and that would produce abundantly—such as tomatoes, peppers, snap peas, small melons, radishes, and greens and herbs, reasoning that employees could easily harvest ripe vegetables and eat them minutes later in the lunchroom.

Shared Harvest: growing access to local food and agriculture

Shared Harvest

FarmFolkCityFolk has launched a new networking site for local food and agriculture called Shared Harvest. From field to table, farmers, food processors, grocers, restaurants, distributors, warehousers, and consumers can list Wanted and Available ads for food and agricultural products and services. There are 22 categories, including Baked Goods, Dairy, Fish, Fruit and Vegetables, and over 300 individual products and services — with more to be added. A selection of local products listed on the site right now includes: kiwis, blueberries, heirloom tomatoes and basil.

Shared Harvest will help align production with demand, a necessary step in growing BC's food system. In order to facilitate this, FarmFolkCityFolk is working towards a network of Shared Harvest sites to support the trade of food and agricultural products within and between Regional Districts across BC. Shared Harvest Metro Vancouver is the first of such sites. With support and funding we will add 3 more by the end of the year. More will be added in 2011.

Shared Harvest sites can:

- Support the trade of food and agricultural products.

- Rescue viable food from the waste stream and feed those who are food insecure.

- Connect all food industry sectors from field to table.

- Reduce agriculture waste and thus the costs and volumes of organics being landfilled.

- Align food production with demand.

- Strengthen the local economy.

- Identify new business opportunities for the agriculture and food sectors in BC.

In addition, Shared Harvest supports food rescue efforts. Grocers, hotels, restaurants and even backyard gardeners with "too much of a good thing" can post food donations. Registered charities and societies can post want ads. An online calendar also keeps you informed of local food events.

Membership is free. Posting classified ads is free. Our goal is 500 members by the end of October.

If you are from outside of the Metro Vancouver it is still possible to use Shared Harvest Metro Vancouver website. You can be added manually by emailing a letter to the site Manager, Erin Nichols, at erin@FarmFolkCityFolk.ca explaining why a Shared Harvest site would benefit your area. Include in the letter your regional district, your name, business name, address and postal code. This will be used to gain support for a Shared Harvest site that serve your Regional District.

How you can help support the development of this exciting project?

- Tell your friends, family and colleagues about www.SharedHarvest.ca/MetroVancouver.

- Become a member.

- Post an ad, or two!

Thanks. We hope to see you on Shared Harvest. If you have any questions, please email Erin Nichols at erin@FarmFolkCityFolk.ca.

Home Grown: Local Sustainable Food

From the Museum of Vancouver:

Home Grown is a photographic exploration of local food production and sustainable farming in Vancouver and the surrounding region, presented by MOV and FarmFolk/CityFolk.

In photo-journalistic style, 39 stunning images by photographer, Brian Harris, contain a call-to-action for individuals and communities to reclaim control of local food systems and to think carefully about the ethics of food consumption decisions that are made everyday.

Accompanying programs, including workshops, screening, talks, and tours, will give a deeper understanding and appreciation of local food production issues as well as the inspiration and skills to start a backyard or community garden.

Home Grown Talk & Tour Events:

September 02, 2010 - 7:00 PM: Chris Bodnar, Glen Valley Organic Farm

Topic: A farmer's direct relationship with their customer through CSA, farmers markets, and restaurant delivery.

Biography: Chris Bodnar started farming at Glen Valley Organic Farm beginning in the 2007 season. Prior to farming Chris was an academic in the field of Communication. A desire to work in a more sustainable and locally-based career lead him to consider other work. Inspired by the work of local food-related organizations, Chris decided to investigate farming. Glen Valley Organic Farm currently employs 7 people to grow organic fruit, vegetables and eggs on 12.5 acres. Glen Valley Organic Farm is co-operatively owned by 70 shareholders who purchased the farm in 1998. Two GVOFC farm enterprises sell produce at seven farmers markets. Their fruit and vegetables are used by restaurants across the Lower Mainland as well as home delivery grocery services. GVOFC farm mainly sells to the public at farmers markets, both as Glen Valley Organic Farm and through the Langley Organic Growers co-operative, and through the CSA Harvest Box program at NOW BC. They sell to two restaurants directly (Aphrodite's Cafe and Seasonal 56) and to a local distributor (Biovia).

October 07, 2010 - 7:00 PM: Karen Howbolt, Politics of Seeds

Topic: Politics of seeds and our local good system with a global view.

Biography: Karen Hawbolt has worked with The Haliburton Community Organic Farm Society to produce bountiful harvests that were sold at the farm stand and to other customers throughout Greater Victoria. While farming on Salt Spring Island, Karen has also was a seed grower for Salt Spring Seeds.

November 04, 2010 - 7:00 PM: Chris Hergesheimer, The Flour Peddler, and Jim Grieshaber-Otto, Cedar Isle Farm

Topic: Growing local grain and the first grain CSA in the Lower Mainland.

Biography: Chris Hergesheimer holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Simon Fraser University. He is the founding member of the Local-Grain-Initiative. Hergesheimer's goal is to position himself at the centre of a community dedicated to local sustainable food production in just the way the community miller was central to communities before the mega-marts and the 10,000-kilometre supply chain. Chris organizes FF/CF'S Grain Chain Coordinator whilst he runs his own business, The Flour Peddler.

Jim Grieshaber-Otto of Cedar Isle Farm together with Diane Exley and their two children, manage a community-minded family farm that has been growing small amounts of grain for several decades. About 100 acres in size, Cedar Isle Farm partners with a neighbouring dairy farm to produce silage and hay (for both cows and horses), and pastures Angus beef cattle, layer hens, and free-range broiler chickens. The farm grows a few acres of grain each year – mostly oats and wheat – which is either used as animal feed or sold to friends and neighbors. Although not certified, the farm has long operated under organic principles and is in the process of seeking certification.

December 02, 2010 - 7:00 PM: Chef Andrea Carlson, Bishops, and Heather Pritchard, Glorious Organics Farmer

Topic: Co-creation of our local food cuisine.

Biography: Chef Andrea Carlson is a graduate of the Dubrulle Culinary School. Chef Carlson honed her culinary skills under Executive Chef Rob Clark at Vancouver's famed C Restaurant, first as a pastry chef and later as Sous Chef. While at C Restaurant, she pursued her interest in plants and gardens by taking courses in landscape design. From C, she moved to Victoria to work under Chef Edward Tuscon at the multi-awarded Sooke Harbour House with its famed edible landscap. Andrea Carlson has garnered the Prestigious Green Award from Vancouver Magazine.

Heather Pritchard has over 40 years experience assisting non-profits, co-operatives, and small businesses with financial planning, organizational development, and personnel management. She is a member of Glorious Organics Cooperative, a certified organic farm business operating from Fraser Common Farm Cooperative in the Fraser Valley. As an active member in the land cooperative and a grower, producer and marketer of certified organic product, she has first-hand experience with the challenges of sustainable agriculture. Heather co-wrote the FarmFolk/CityFolk book, is on the GVRD Agricultural Advisory Committee, a founding member of the Vancouver Food Policy Council, and Treasurer of the BC Food Systems Network.

For more information about the events and for ticket pricing, check out the Museum of Vancouver's event page.

With Glowing Hearts - The Movie

As someone who lives in the GVRD, we're all aware of the amount of film production that happens in "Hollywood North", but how often have we had the chance to get involved? "With Glowing Hearts" is the debut documentary feature from Vancouver-based director Andrew Lavigne. It is currently in post-production, but it needs your help to get to the finish line.

The story follows 4 different people living and working in Vancouver whose lives have been changed by the power of social media and the Internet. The four stories come together and move apart as the subjects live and work in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside during the lead-up to the 2010 Winter Olympics.

The filmmakers are still short $10,000 (CDN) needed to complete the film. To fund the completion of the film the producers are launching "The Toonie and Tweet Torch Relay", an online fundraising campaign combined with a unique real world event: flash mob human curling.

"This is a film that was made to document an important period in the city's history and in particular how it affected marginalized populations," says Producer (and Green Earth Organics employee) Jon Ornoy, "It's a natural extension to reach out to our friends and neighbours in the final push. Like the people in our film we are using technology and social networks to draft a small army of 'producers' to help make our vision of celebrating Vancouver's diversity a reality."

The filmmakers, with the help of a community of contributors, have set up a website (WghTheMovie.ca) to process micro-donations by PayPal or credit card. With a minimum contribution of $2, participants can have their name published as 'producers' in a word cloud that will appear in the film's credit roll. Increasing your contribution will increase the size of your name in the cloud.

"Our idea comes from a time when people would pass around a hat to support artists they enjoy and communities they believe in," says Ornoy, "In our case, the contributions support social media for social change. And like the stories and movement our film covers, we hope this campaign inspires audiences to move beyond spectators and become participants."

Anyone interested in becoming a part of Team WGH should head over to WghTheMovie.ca and look for the "Support the Film" tab, or write to jon@animalmotherfilms.com for more information.

Vancouver Board of Education School Food Garden Policy Statement (June 2010)

The Vancouver Board of Education therefore encourages and supports the development of school food gardens

By Kevin Millsip, VSB Sustainability, Brent Mansfield of Think and Eat Green at School and Sarah Carten at Vancouver Coastal Health. 2010

The Vancouver Board of Education recognizes the important role school food gardens can play in students' learning. Garden-based learning can enhance academic achievement through integration of hands-on experiences into diverse subjects such as math, science, nutrition and environmental education. Garden-based learning also allows students to discover and experience fresh, healthy food and to make healthy food choices.

The use of school food gardens is consistent with the Board's commitment to sustainability and healthy food environments. School food gardens allow for the incorporation of fresh, local fruit and vegetables into the cafeteria and school meal program. A school food garden can also play a role in increasing the food security of the students, families and the community by providing space for the production of food through collaborative community and school gardens.

The Vancouver Board of Education therefore encourages and supports the development of school food gardens, recognizing the many benefits to developing and maintaining school food gardens including opportunities for learning, for increasing access to healthy food, for promoting enhanced social and emotional development and for contributing to the greening of school grounds and the building of green spaces for neighbourhoods in Vancouver.

District goals, relative to garden projects, are to help the school community carry out a successful and sustainable project that meets the above stated outcomes while adhering to district codes and standards. The VBE Food Gardens Process document outlines the process of planning, designing, implementing, maintaining and sustaining school and daycare food gardens (located on VBE property) to ensure their success over the long term.

See complete policy report here.

Vancouver Launches Compost Pick-Up

On Earth Day last month, the city of Vancouver launched the first phase of its new compost pick-up program. For all the details, see Vancouver's food scraps page, but here's how to get started:

Getting started

Get a small container with a lid for your kitchen. You can use an ice cream bucket or large yogurt container, or purchase a metal container (I prefer that; no smells caught in the container like with plastic). Make sure it's a size you can comfortably carry and is easy to wash. Whenever you have any of the accepted food scraps, put them in the container. Empty your kitchen container in your yard trimmings cart regularly.

What can be included in the compost pick-up

Only these food items will be collected for now:
- uncooked fruit and vegetable scraps
- coffee grounds and filters
- teabags
- eggshells

Please note: Newspaper or brown paper bags are accepted if they are being used to wrap food scraps or to line your kitchen container or cart.

Please do not add cooked food to your yard waste. Oils and other ingredients make cooked food more susceptible to odours, pests, and insects. Because the first phase of the program stays with the bi-weekly yard trimmings collection schedule, it's best to only put uncooked fruit and vegetables in your cart.

It's important that you only place approved materials in your yard trimmings cart, as contamination from non-recyclables prevents the waste from being turned into nutrient-rich topsoil. Contaminated materials need to be separated, at an extra cost, before being composted.

Coming soon: A second phase of food scraps collection will be introduced in 2011 where all food scraps (fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, dairy, bread, cereal products, and food-soiled paper) will be allowed. When this is introduced, it is expected that yard waste will be picked up weekly and regular garbage pick-up will move to only bi-weekly.

If you already compost

If you already have a backyard composter, keep using it. It's still the best way to compost since it saves on collection costs and energy use. If you are interested in obtaining a backyard compost container, you may purchase one at the Vancouver South Transfer Station. Another great way to go, especially if you want to compost cooked food and don't have the yard space for a backyard unit, is bokashi composting.

Businesses and multi-unit buildings

At this time, this collection service will not be provided to multi-unit residences such as apartments and condominiums, unless your building already has a city yard trimmings cart, and only if the cart is filled mostly with yard trimmings and a small percentage of food scraps. Vancouver is not able to provide food scraps collection service to businesses. The city is compiling a list of a private companies that can provide food waste collection services to your building.

Celebrate Earth Day with Green Earth Organics!

Do you want to do something fun this month for Earth Day? Then join Green Earth Organics at Jericho Beach. This month we will be participating in an event organized by Evergreen to plant indigenous plant species at Jericho Beach Park on Saturday April 24th from 10 AM to 4 PM. Green Earth Organics is also encouraging young people from the Urban Native Youth Association to work with us on these land restoration projects.

Everyone is welcome! You can bring new life to this environmentally sensitive park and make your local area a healthier place!

Please RSVP to: Danielle Bedard, Coordinator, 778-288-7318 daniellebedard888@gmail.com

Bus, bike or walk! To find a transit route near you consult Translink's website.

SOLEfood - Urban Farming in the Downtown Eastside

SOLEfood is an Enterprising Non Profit (ENP) established in 2009 by United We Can. It is a fully functional urban farm consisting of hundreds of planters. The farm employs dozens of residents from Vancouver's Downtown East Side on a part-time basis. SOLEfood's first crop will be harvested in the Spring of 2010.

For more information on the farm, contact solefood@unitedwecan.ca.

If you are interested in participating in one of our on-going volunteer builds, contact projectsinplace@gmail.com.

From their blog post on March 22nd:

Help SOLEfood find farm tools

The inaugural season of SOLEfood farm is upon us. This new season brings with it the search for farming tools to help us do the best job possible. With the help of our farm mentor, Michael Ableman, we have gathered this list of needs for the coming season. To see pics of the items, go to Johnny's Selected Seed website. If you can help with any of these items, please email seann@unitedwecan.ca.

1 Model 20 "Carts Vermont" Cart
1 Smart Cart
1 Standard Wheelbarrow
1 Sifter to fit cart
4 Collinear hoes - 3&3/4” blades
2 Collinear hoes - standard blade
1 Stirrup hoe - 5" blade
1 Stirrup hoe - 7” blade
1 Bed prep rake
1 Set of row markers for bed prep rake
1 Broadfork - model 520
6 Heavy duty digging forks
4 Heavy duty compost forks
2 Short handled wire weeders
2 Short handled spring tined cultivators
2 Short handled collinear hoes
6 Trowels
1 Rotary tool sharpener
12 9145 greens knives
8 7-gallon tubtrugs
8 11-gallon tubtrugs
6 Standard steel rakes
Remay or floating row cover to cover – sufficient to cover 1/2 of total area. Medium weight.
1 Quick Hoops bender
Greenhouse plastic - sufficient to cover 1/2 of total beds

Irrigation Supplies

Irrigation tape - approximately 10,000 linear feet, 6 mil, 8 inch perforations.
450 Lock sleeve cam fittings
2 500-foot rolls of drip hose - 3/4 inch
25 3/4” drip/female threaded hose fittings
5 Heavy duty garden hoses

Post Harvest/Marketing

Stainless sink
Large salad spinner
Refrigeration unit
Boxes for distribution
Digital scale
Produce bags
EZ UP tent
Small truck
Elastics
Twist ties

Covenant House Responds

Thank you to all our members who contributed to our warm clothing drive in January (Green Earth Collects Warmth for Those in Need)! The Covenant House sent us a very nice thank you letter that we'd like to share with you:

On behalf of the youth we serve I'd like to thank you for collecting items for donation to Covenant House Vancouver. We're also grateful to your client base for assisting you in this endeavour.

The youth accessing our drop-in centre program are most in need of access to clothing and cold weather gear. Donated items such as these are sorted and placed in the clothing room in our drop-in centre; young people coming in seeking our help can replace their worn-out clothing, shoes and cold-weather items. Something as simple as a gently-used sweater can make the world of difference to a young person trying to survive on Vancouver's streets.

The drop-in centre is one of four key programs that make up Covenant House's Continuum of Care which includes: street outreach, the residential crisis shelter and a transitional living program. Collectively these programs meet the young people we help "where they're at", giving them the tools to permanently leave the streets behind. Last year alone we assisted almost 2,000 youths across all our programs.

We are grateful for your hard work on our behalf; it's very much appreciated.

Best regards,
Mark Savard
Development Office - Community Gviving
www.covenanthousebc.org

GEO About Town: Greenstream Sustainability Showcase

Above: Guest speakers (l to r): Cease Wyss, Maureen Cureton,
Juvarya Warsi, Danielle Bédard (organizer), Brady Dahmer

Thursday, February 11 from 5-8 pm Vancouver’s sustainable community took the spotlight at the Greenstream Sustainability Showcase at The Light House Sustainable Building Centre, 2060 Pine Street.

Green Earth Organics was one of the organizers of this highly successful event featuring speakers Juvarya Warsi, Strategist for the Light House Sustainable Building Centre, Maureen Cureton of Vancity’s Green Business, Brady Dahmer and Lindsay Namiache, Founders of the Projecting Change Film Festival and Cease Wyss, Food Activist, Filmmaker, educator and author. Live music from guitarist Dave Ivaz, gift basket drawings and Stanley Park beer from Turning Point Brewery made for a sustainable good time for all!

Above: Jeremy from Turning Point Brewery pouring Stanley Park beer which was donated to the event.

Lighthouse Sustainable Building Centre Events

Interested in “greening” your home? Building a new one? Lighthouse Sustainable Building Centre is fast becoming BC’s mecca for all things sustainable when it comes to construction and “built environment” technologies. And it’s a great place to network and meet others interested in sustainability issues! March features some great networking events and speakers. To see their calendar of March events, visit: http://www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com/

Above: An overview of the crowd.

Good News for Car Shares

In a report with the (long) title of Car-sharing: a Sustainable and Innovative Personal Transport Solution, with Great Potential and Huge Opportunities, the analysts at Frost & Sullivan paint a pretty encouraging picture of the car-sharing industry. They claim that the global economic problems of the past couple years helped increase attention to car-sharing as a way to reduce transportation costs. Just in America, car-sharing membership rose by 117% between 2007 and 2009. According to their numbers, in 2016 there should be about 4.4 million members in North America and 5.5 million in Europe.

The environmental benefits of car-sharing are non-negligible: The two major social benefits of carsharing are fewer vehicles on the road and lower emissions. Research from Frost & Sullivan estimates that, on average, each shared vehicle replaced 15 personally owned vehicles in 2009 and carsharing members drove 31% less than when they owned a personal vehicle. These two factors translate into 482,170 fewer tons of CO2 emissions and less travel congestion in urban areas.

Even bigger reductions in emissions (both smog-forming and greenhouse gas) will be possible once car-sharing services start incorporating more electric vehicles in their fleets (EV technology will have to get better and prices to come down, but it's only a matter of time).

F&S also found that the economic benefits of car-sharing were substantial: "Frost & Sullivan research shows that an average car owner who drives 12,000 miles a year at an average driving speed of 30 miles per hour can save $1,834 (US) by shifting to a carsharing service. Commuters who drive less than 12,000 miles can save more."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vancouver sustainable development advocates and the green business community come together at the GreenStream Sustainability Showcase

Vancouver, BC, Feb. 7/

Alongside Olympic visitors Vancouver residents can learn about the latest trends in sustainable business development, tour a state-of-the-art showcase of Green building technologies, and at the same time meet some of the city’s most innovative business professionals and sustainability advocates at GreenStream 2010: Making Green The Mainstream. GreenStream 2010 will take place on Thursday, February 11th from 5 pm to 8 pm at the Light House Sustainable Building Centre, 2060 Pine Street, Vancouver. Admission is free, but a $ 5.00 donation is suggested at the door.

GreenStream 2010 is a wonderful opportunity for visitors and Vancouverites to learn why our theme is “Making Green the Mainstream.” The key to a safe future is a sustainable future. "Vancouver is perfectly positioned to become a world leader in sustainable development,” points out GreenStream organizer Danielle Bédard of the popular grocery delivery service, Green Earth Organics.

Several keynote speakers known for their commitment toward environmental and community activism will give presentations including: Juvarya Warsi, Strategist of the Light House Sustainable Building Centre; Maureen Cureton of Vancity’s Green Business; Brady Dahmer and Lindsay Nahmiache, Founders of the Projecting Change Film Festival; as well as Cease Wyss, Food Activist, Filmmaker, Educator and Subject of the film Indigenous Plant Diva.

Green ribbons provided by TB Vets, a BC-based organization funding respiratory equipment, research and education will be worn by participants to signify that they welcome conversation on the topic of sustainable solutions. Live music from Vancouver jazz guitarist Dave Ivaz will set the mood as guests will have the opportunity to interact with some of Vancouver’s most famous non-profit organizations and green business leaders. Between featured speakers there will be gift basket drawings, samples and giveaways for participants.

Guests can also tour the Light House Sustainable Building Centre. The first interactive centre of its kind in Canada, Light House is a "one-stop-shop" for innovation and is dedicated to advancing sustainable, residential and commercial building. The centre is Vancouver’s premiere resource on the latest developments in sustainable building for homeowners, building industry professionals and government officials.

GreenStream 2010 was made possible by members of Vancouver’s local green business community including contributions from the Development Director of the Car Co-op, Tanya Paz which is known by locals for it's company car; Development Manager, Rebecca Fry of the Green Zebra Guide, a fundraising guidebook for sustainable businesses, as well Ed Taylor, Director of Partnerships for the Light House Sustainable Building Centre.

“Beginning with Vancouver, we’re working to bring together the world’s green community—activists, business owners, non-profit organizations and government,” says Danielle Bédard. “Together, we can learn from each other by becoming aware of the impact of our lifestyles and by choosing healthy living so that we can meet our needs without compromising those of our planet or generations to come.”

For more information on the GreenStream 2010 Event, any of the organizations or featured speakers involved in the February 11 event, contact Danielle Bédard at 778-288-7318.

###

BACKGROUNDER: Greenstream 2010 Participants

(Feb. 11, 2010)

Creativitree Copywriting - www.creativitreecopywriting.com

Copywriter and environmental activist Julie Boton serves fresh ideas daily, providing communications solutions that enable manufacturers in the organic food, sustainability and natural products industries to build brand awareness and market share.

Dave Ivaz Music – www.daveivazmusic.com

Guitarist and bandleader Dave Ivaz is known for his driving sound, eclectic repertoire and support of progressive causes. Hailing from Chicago, Dave now proudly calls Vancouver home.

Earthsave Canada - www.earthsave.ca

This non-profit educational organization promotes awareness of the health, environmental and ethical consequences of our food choices. They advocate the move towards a plant-based diet for environmental sustainability and compassion toward non-human animals.

eatART - HYPERLINK - www.eatart.org

eatART fosters new media art research with a focus on large-scale, kinetic and robotic sculpture. Their projects use art to educate people about the role energy plays in our lives and to raise questions about the social and environmental impact of energy use.

ECO-audit - HYPERLINK - www.eco-audit.org

Innovators who are raising environmental awareness while providing new perspectives on what a “green” lifestyle is. The Eco-Audit Program trains student R&S groups how to perform an environmental audit to help people and communities reduce waste and reduce their “carbon footprint” in home, school and office settings.

EYA Environmental Youth Association - www.eya.ca

This dynamic, youth-driven agency is building a better society, one initiative at a time. EYA provides young people with rewarding experiences in diverse projects that benefit local communities—from backyard food systems to recycling and more—and support our environment socially and ecologically.

EPIC - HYPERLINK - www.globe.ca

In 1993 the GLOBE Foundation, a not-for-profit private business Foundation, was established in Vancouver to carry forward a mandate to promote the business case for sustainable development, based on this core philosophy: Companies can do well by doing good—without sacrificing the bottom line.

Flux Design - www.members.shaw.ca/fluxdesign

If activism has a face, chances are it’s expertly drawn by artistic genius Murray Bush. The designer of the GreenStream logo was referred by his work with the Canadian Union of Public Employees' Strong Communities Campaign. With aligned objectives both CUPE and the participants of GreenStream 2010 believe in building strong communities through investment in public service. www.cupe.bc.ca/campaigns/strong-communities

Green Collar Association - www.greencollar.org

Green Collar Association advocates for harmonious engagement between industry and environment, and provides educational and communications resources for business on environmental issues. Members include corporations, non-profit organizations, governments and labor movements that champion forward-looking solutions to climate change.

Green Drinks - www.greendrinks.org

Every month in cities throughout the world people who work in the environmental field meet up at informal sessions known as Green Drinks. This non-profit organization fosters informal networking sessions featuring a lively mixture of people from NGOs, academia, government and business.

Green Earth Organics - www.greenearthorganics.com

Canada’s premier eco-friendly, socially responsible home/office organic grocery delivery service, headquartered in Vancouver and Toronto, is dedicated to wholesome food, organic family farmers and manufacturers and local communities. By working with other green-focused organizations and non-profits that serve people and planet, GEO nurtures a healthy environment and healthy communities.

Green Zebra - HYPERLINK www.greenzebraguide.ca

These popular coupon books and guides to sustainable living feature exclusive offers from eco-friendly and community-minded restaurants, markets, spas, wellness centres, bike shops, bookstores, theatres, and more. Schools and non-profits use Green Zebra Guides as healthy fundraising tools in the US and Canada, while savvy book purchasers use them to buy green, shop locally and save thousands of dollars.

Hollyhock - HYPERLINK - www.hollyhock.ca

Set in the spectacular beauty of British Columbia’s Cortes Island this internationally renowned "refuge for the soul" has been Canada's leading learning centre/retreat for over 26 years. Hollyhock unites revolutionary teachers and thinkers, experts in their field, in a curriculum with subjects as diverse as wellness and wisdom, arts and culture, business and leadership development.

Light House Sustainable Building Centre - www.sustainablebuildingcentre.ca

This enterprising non-profit society is dedicated to advancing sustainability in the built environment. Light House features education, training and outreach programs while providing a "one-stop" integrated service shop that connects people with inspiration, information, services and skills they need to implement sustainable "green" residential and commercial building solutions.

Momentum Magazine - www.momentumplanet.com

Published six times a year, Momentum focuses on transportation cycling and bike culture in North America. Here urban cyclists find inspiration, information, solutions-based editorial and resources to help them fully enjoy their riding experience and connect with local and global cycling communities. Momentum is distributed for free in 20 cities across North America.

Nature's Path - www.naturespath.com

North America’s best-selling brand in the organic cereal category remains true to the principles the company was founded on: to advance the cause of people and planet along the path to sustainability. One of the few remaining large organic cereal companies not owned by a multinational conglomerate, Nature’s Path donates substantially to charitable and environmental causes and is consistently rated one of Canada’s best places to work.

Potluck Café & Catering - www.potluckcatering.com

This Vancouver leader in social enterprise is both a respected catering company serving corporate and non-profit clients, and a registered charity. Potluck directly improves the quality of life for Vancouver’s Downtown East Side residents through programs that offer job training and needed meals for those with mental and physical health challenges.

Salt Spring Coffee Company - www.saltspringcoffee.com

The fertile beauty of BC’s famous Salt Spring Island gave birth to BC’s original fair trade and organic coffee company. One of Canada’s largest and most respected micro-roasters, they lead the way with sustainability practices that include “Farm Direct” trade which ensures farmers receive the best possible price for their beans, carbon-neutral coffee and partnering with local organizations involved in combating climate change.

SPEC Society Promoting Environmental Conservation - www.spec.bc.ca

Founded in 1969, The Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) is a non-profit organization addressing urban environmental issues in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland and Georgia Basin. Through their on-going environmental projects, education programs and advocacy work, SPEC encourages policies and practices that build healthy, sustainable cities.

The Car Co-op - www.thecompanycar.ca

This local not-for-profit co-operative was incorporated to foster car sharing and raise awareness about environmentally responsible and economically sound alternatives to personal ownership. Now offering The Company Car, an innovative car sharing service for business, The Car Co-op has been providing transportation for thousands of people in B.C. and since 1996.

Vancity - HYPERLINK - www.vancity.com

Canada’s largest credit union is driven as much by environmental and social sustainability as it is financial success. Vancity was the first financial institution in Canada to contribute Visa* credit card earnings to community environment projects with the launch of the enviro Visa in 1990. Their many initiatives support activities that reduce energy consumption, combat climate change and strengthen local communities.

VACC Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition - www.vacc.bc.ca

The Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (VACC) is a volunteer-run non-profit society working with municipal, provincial, and federal authorities to improve conditions for cyclists in the Lower Mainland. Bicycle commuting helps reduce traffic congestion, improve health and enhance the urban ecosystem.

UNYA Urban Native Youth Association - www.unya.bc.ca

Metro Vancouver's only Native youth program-providing organization empowers Native youth through programs that include education & training, personal support, residential programs and sports & recreation. Their work also includes community development, research, advocacy, and cultural learning opportunities.

Wilderness Committee - www.wildernesscommittee.org

Canada’s largest membership-based, citizen-funded wilderness protection group is a non-profit society with tens of thousands of members from coast to coast. Through strategic research and grassroots public education the Wilderness Committee works to protect Canada’s biodiversity. They have successfully protected millions of hectares of Canadian wilderness in over 40 key wilderness areas.

SPEAKER BIOS FOR GREENSTEAM EVENT FEBRUARY 11, 2010

Juvarya Warsi, Strategist of the Light House Sustainable Building Centre

Juvarya is an accomplished environmental economist with experience expertise in real estate development, green buildings and the growing low carbon economy. As strategist for Light House, Vancouver’s resource centre and showplace for BC’s green building industry, Juvarya leads policy development and carbon reduction strategies for a range of public and private sector clients.

Maureen Cureton, Vancity’s Green Business

Maureen began her career working with an organic recycling company. Today she brings her commitment to sustainability to her work as Green Business Manager with Vancity’s Social Finance division. An accomplished educator and author, Maureen was a project manager at Rocky Mountain Institute—world renowned for research and consulting in support of natural capitalism and sustainable development. She designs and teaches courses and workshops in studies in sustainability for several universities and has co-authored three books including Green Development: Integrating Ecology and Real Estate Development.

Brady Dahmer and Lindsay Nahmiache, Founders of the Projecting Change Film Festival

Projecting Change is an innovative organization founded by Brady Dahmer of Brady Dahmer Design and Lindsay Nahmiache of P.R. firm Jive Communications. Projecting Change promotes green and sustainable living through engaging, entertaining educational films and inspiring speakers. Brady Dahmer is one of Vancouver’s leading graphic designers working in print and interactive media. Lindsay Nahmiache has a wide range of international and national expertise working in the North American, European and Indian Film Industries.

Cease Wyss, Food Activist, Filmmaker, educator

Cease Wyss has been an important activist working with food activism issues, and with Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside for many years. In addition to her work as a media educator, filmmaker, illustrator and artist, she was the subject of the film Indigenous Plant Diva. Cease also works at the Vancouver Native Health Society on their Good Food Box and Garden Mentoring programs.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

February 7, 2010

Join Greenstream 2010 February 11 at Light House Sustainable Building Centre

Help B-C’s Green business and non-profit community “Make Green the Mainstream” Thursday February 11 at GreenStream 2010 at the Light House Sustainable Building Centre in Vancouver. Sample locally-made products and learn how you can help make Vancouver the world’s greenest city. Admission is free, with a five-dollar donation suggested.

GEO Collects Warmth for Those in Need

Throughout the year, Green Earth Organics facilitates numerous charity drives, making it easier for members to give back to the local community. During the month of January, drivers are collecting, in bins returned to the warehouse, warm blankets and sweaters that will be later dropped-off at the Covenant House.

Young people who come to the Covenant House face many barriers to independent, healthy living. Many life threatening situations await kids who end up on the streets as substance misuse, disease and violence are a daily reality of street life. Covenant House Vancouver welcomes an estimated 500-1000 young people aged 16 - 24 with open arms, hot food and a warm bed.

Healthy living and social responsibility are key for Green Earth Organics. By facilitating the donation of warm sweaters and blankets Green Earth hopes to lead by example, supporting young people in their choice to change their present circumstances.

Green Earth Organics Thinks Outside the Box During the Holidays

There is a tremendous need in the private sector to step-up to the plate when it comes to corporate social responsibility. By considering the impact of their way of conducting business, organizations like Green Earth Organics are able to give back to communities by consciously selecting the activities they undertake.

During the month of December, Green Earth Organics is thinking outside the box as they facilitate a toy drive for child patients who are unable to be home for the holidays. To help put smiles back where they belong, gifts collected from Green Earth members will be donated to the B.C. Children’s Hospital.

To find out more information about this year's wish list, please see below. Please note, due to infection control policies, stuffed animals are not on the wish list this year. To learn more about the B.C. Children's Hospital check out www.bcchildrens.ca.

2009 CHRISTMAS WISH LIST:

Infants and Toddlers

• Infant toys
• Baby crib "aquariums", small baby rattles, infant musical wind-up toys, washable mobiles, especially with wind-up, not battery operated, music boxes
• Baby board books with photos of real babies
• Crib-mounted mural books - washable

Youth

• Lava lamp or lamp with movement and lights
• CD's - pop, rock, country, relaxation music, compilation albums - Top 40
• Paintable items like picture frames, T-shirts, terra cotta pots and boxes, canvases
• Magazine subscriptions (Teen People, Snowboarding, Tony Hawke, fashion, health & fitness)
• Beauty Products - nail polish, hair accessories, bath products, travel size shampoo, conditioner and creams etc...
• Supplies to make bath products (soap making kits, lip gloss kits)
• Board games - Risk, Cranium, and mind games... etc.
• Beading supplies including hemp, clasps, crimp beads, stretch plastic lacing and tools
• Books on CD
• Big craft projects that take time to build

Craft Supplies

• Unimited qualities of beads and plastic lace (lots!) Craft kits, wooden/ceramic paintable craft items - ie. Small simple bead or paint kits, wooden/ceramic paintable craft items, wooden picture frames, artist's quality watercolour or sketching paper, charcoal, and real sketching pencils; Mr Sketch smelly markers, and Crayola markers for the younger children
• Big foam stickers
• Children drip-proof paint pots with lids and paint brushes
• Small craft kits with all supplies needed included in the package
• Children drip-proof paint pots with lids and paint brushes
• Small craft kits with all supplies needed included in the package
• Children's scissors (both straight & patterned edges)
• Crayons, felts, pencil crayons, feathers, pompoms, sequins...
• Glue-able or peel-&-stick shapes, letters, holiday-themed shapes
• Glitter glue
• Glue sticks
• Card stock
• Stamps/patterned hole punches
• Scrapbooking supplies

Bog Tree Cutting Raises Concern

Sandor Gyarmati, The Delta Optimist
Saturday, October 24, 2009

Burns Bog Conservation Society president Eliza Olson is concerned a large development could impact an area of the bog.

Tree cutting taking place in an area some consider to be part of Burns Bog is raising concern about the possibility of a large-scale development on its way.

Owning 500 acres (200 hectares) of land adjacent to the designated Burns Bog protected zone, MK Delta Lands Group received a permit this summer to remove trees to conduct geotechnical assessments in an area just west of Highway 91, between 72nd and 64th avenues.

"I want to know if this is the first step in some kind of major development application," said Delta North MLA Guy Gentner.

Noting Delta council had passed a special tree-cutting bylaw a few years ago specifically aimed at the bog, which encompasses the privately-owned parcels, Gentner said a major industrial or commercial development could be on its way.

Community planning director Tom Leathem said the company has an open-ended permit that allows the cutting of smaller trees but not large ones.

"They're to keep track of the number of trees they disturb and when they're done they provide us with a report and we figure out what the compensation required is going to be," he said.

"They're not quite finished their work yet. They tell us they haven't disturbed any of the larger trees, just the smaller ones ... They're no doubt doing the research to figure out if they can (develop) but we don't have an application or any kind of proposal," Leathem noted.

In 2004, four levels of government - federal, provincial, regional and municipal - purchased about 2,000 hectares (5,000 acres) of the bog for $73 million. Five times the size of Stanley Park, it was designated as the Burns Bog Ecological Reserve, a protected area.

However, the 200 hectares (500 acres) now owned by MK Delta Lands Group was not included in the purchase, even though some, including the Burns Bog Conservation Society, had insisted that land should have also been purchased and received protected status.

"Absolutely it's part of the bog, it is the bog," said society president Eliza Olson, who is also concerned a large development could be on its way that could impact the conservancy area.

"There's been no effort to acquire these lands by the Corporation of Delta or the province," she said.

Gentner said it's not clear why the still privately owned area was not purchased by government even though it has ecological value.

The Burns Bog Ecosystem Review Synthesis Report, released in 2001, concluded that virtually all of Burns Bog must be preserved to ensure the viability of the ecosystem.

On its website, MK Delta Lands Group notes its parcels were deemed to be outside the scientifically designated Burns Bog area.

"Since that time MK Delta Lands Group has been working cooperatively with the GVRD to ensure that, as an adjacent neighbour to Burns Bog, measures are being taken to protect this ecological gem."

Matthews Southwest, a Toronto development company, purchased the bog in an 11th hour deal from longtime property owners Western Delta Lands.

The firm quickly flipped the land to the four levels of government, but retained a large chunk.

The firm later morphed into MK Delta Lands Group.

The remaining private land is zoned I3 industrial gravel extraction and agricultural.

At the time of the purchase, Premier Gordon Campbell said it was in no way tied to future rezoning.

Olson said the public should also be aware how the bog is under threat from other areas just outside the designated conservancy area, including the South Fraser Perimeter Road, as well a development application by Earth King Project 64 Ltd. to build a mixed industrial/commercial business park.

About the Burns Bog Conservation Society

Mission Statement:
Conservation through education by

... protecting the world's peatlands by educating people on the importance of Burns Bog, a globally unique ecosystem due to its chemistry, form, flora, fauna and size as one of the world's largest undeveloped ecosystems in an urban area.

... proving opportunities for people to interact with this natural environment through interpretive tours, educational materials, supporting controlled access to the main Bog area, and maintaining the boardwalks to provide access for all members of our broader community.

... advocating for ecologically responsible governance of Burns Bog and other peatlands worldwide at the local, provincial and federal levels of Canadian government and by working with peatland organizations and scientists worldwide.

Some important peat bog facts:

Peat bog store and filter 10% of the world's fresh water.

A typical peat extractor will take up to 22cm of peat per year, however it grows at approximately 1mm per year.

Carbon dioxide emissions from peatland exploitation are estimated to be 3 billion tonnes per year.

A recent United Nations report estimates the preservation and restoration of peat bogs can reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 10%.

Steps you can take to save peatlands:

Prince Charles announced in 1987 that he would no longer use peat in his gardening practices.You can do it too.

Use peat alternatives in place of peat in your gardening practices. Coir or coconut fibre easily replaces peat and it helps solve two environmental problems: it keeps peat in our bogs and reduces the amount of coconut fibre in Sri Lanka and other Asian countries.

Compost kitchen and garden wastes and use them in your garden. This saves peat bogs and reduces waste going into the landfill.

For more information about Burns Bog, its environmental benefits and the threats it faces, check out the Burns Bog Conservation Society's website.

SPEC Harvest Festival

Since 1969, SPEC has been a strong and consistent advocate for environmental protection, offering practical solutions for building healthy communities - from helping eliminate the use of DDT to establishing the first recycling depots in BC and stopping logging in Vancouver's watersheds, to their current work promoting food security in the Lower Mainland.

Enjoy an afternoon of celebrating community gardens, farmers' markets and SPEC's 40th birthday as you learn about the current and past work of BC's oldest environmental interest group, and have the opportunity to get involved with SPEC's future.

Location: The SPEC Building, 2150 Maple St., Vancouver.
Time: October 17th, 3 - 6 PM.
Website: www.spec.bc.ca

Community Potluck Dinner

Community Potluck

"Feeding Ourselves: How do we fare on the Westside?"

Presentation with Spring Gillard, author and food systems expert, plus local farmers, fresh produce, resources, and yummy food.

Location: Kits Community House: 2305 W 7th (@ Vine)

http://www.compostdiary.com/

Save Wild Salmon Rally

Join the growing movement to save BC's wild salmon at a rally on Saturday, October 3rd at 1 PM at the Vancouver Art Gallery (Georgia Street side between Howe and Hornby).

The Wild Salmon Circle is a citizen action group recently formed to build a large-scale public movement to save wild salmon from total collapse on our coast by removing salmon farms from ancient migratory routes and the BC coast.

The rally will feature music, information, and speakers including Alexandra Morton, Chief Bob Chamberlin, and representatives of the wilderness tourism, commercial, and sports fisheries. There will also be a kid's zone with games to play and a dance stage featuring Nils from Beats Without Borders.

Wild salmon are in crisis. Salmon farming affects wild salmon adversely because the crowded conditions of farmed salmon cages breed parasites. Unfortunately wild salmon often need to swim past these fish farms to get to open sea, and in doing so they pick up heavy infestations of sea lice. Because wild salmon are not fed chemicals and antibiotics to kill the parasites, as less healthy to the consumer farmed salmon are, these infections can kill the wild salmon.

Farmed salmon escaping into the wild is another problem. While you might root for the "escapee", farmed salmon are genetically different from the truly wild fish, and their effect on the wild stock is detrimental.

For more information, or to join The Wild Salmon Circle - citizens concerned with the state of wild salmon, visit their website.