June, 2018
EARTHCARE THUNDER BAY NEWS
Promoting community events, information, and opportunities that improve or promote the sustainability and livability of Thunder Bay.
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Get involved and join a working group!
Working Groups are the horsepower that help to achieve the goals set out in the EarthCare Sustainability Plan
. If you would like to attend a working group meeting please contact the Chairs:
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Food Strategy Council or Working Groups:
Karen Kerk
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Meet Karen Kerk - EarthCare's Food Working Group Chair
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Karen Kerk recently joined the Thunder Bay & Area Food Strategy as the part-time Coordinator. Karen brings a diversified skills and experience base from working for the past 20+ years in the not-for-profit, academic, and business sectors. Since moving to Thunder Bay 11 years ago, Karen has been most active operating Bare Organics Inc. (a natural skin care company using food grade ingredients) out of the Thunder Bay Country Market, teaching in a variety of capacities at Confederation College and working with local food groups such as the Food Security Research Network and the Cloverbelt Local Food Coop. “I really love the local food movement and I want to do my part to ensure a stronger and more vibrant food system in NWO,” says Karen. “I’m really excited to help coordinate and grow the work being done in terms of local food production, regional transportation, local institutional procurement and access to healthy food.”
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June 3 to 8
Commuter challenge
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Workplaces and individuals across the country are being challenged to use alternatives to driving alone for at least one day of the Commuter Challenge week (June 3-9, 2018).
By walking, cycling, taking transit or ride sharing, you can reduce your impact on the environment and achieve the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity per week. This is the time to try something new or just get colleagues to join in on the fun!
The Commuter Challenge is a national friendly-competition between workplaces, cities and provinces. To participate, you will need to register at
commuterchallenge.ca
.
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Sunday June 10th
WALKstock Thunder Bay's Festival of Walking
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On Sunday, June 10, 12 - 4 WALKstock, Thunder Bay’s Festival of Walking will fill the International Friendship Gardens park with people of all ages to walk and talk and learn about walking! Admission is
FREE
!
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Tuesday June 12
EarthCare Connect
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EarthCare Thunder Bay invites you to come out for a celebratory evening with fellow EarthCare community members on June 12th. Join the EarthCare Working Groups and the EarthCare Advisory Committee for a get together that brings the many passionate members of our community together for an opportunity to share, motivate, collaborate and build stronger relationships. A brief update from EarthCare will be given, but the evening will focus on creating the opportunity for real conversation surrounding sustainability. Looking forward to seeing you there, rain or shine.
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Batteries Dead?
Recycle Instead!
Thunder Bay periodically has a special curbside collection of single-use Household batteries
.
Battery bags make it easy and safe to recycle spent household batteries during the 2018 Curbside Battery Recycling Program, which will take place from
June 5 - 15
, on residents’ regular recycling day. Residents should look for the Battery symbol in their Waste Collection Calendars.
Visit:
for more details.
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On a yearly basis, the municipality submits an environmental progress report to Thunder Bay City Council, called the EarthCare Annual Report, to demonstrate leadership and continual improvement in the practice of environmental management and performance.
The Annual Report is an opportunity for all those involved in the EarthCare process and throughout the municipality to showcase their progress, as well as to reflect on what comes next.
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Rain Garden Rebates
The
residential rain garden rebate continues to offer up to $500 toward materials expenses and planting supplies for homeowners in the City of Thunder Bay.
Rain gardens are landscaped depressions designed to soak up runoff from rooftops and other hard surfaces, helping to reduce the volume of stormwater that runs off into municipal storm drains, recharge groundwater, and add habitat for pollinators and insects. They are typically planted with attractive perennials including native grasses and wildflowers.
In order to qualify for the program, applicants may complete the online tutorial.
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Residential Drainage Rebates
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The City of Thunder Bay is offering financial assistance for homeowners, churches and not-for-profit organizations to take flood prevention measures. Homeowners interested in protecting their property from water damage have until November 30, 2018 to apply, or while funds last.
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Grab your walking shoes or your bike and enjoy some fresh air while getting to and from work or school! It's healthy, costs almost nothing and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Check out the City's Active Transportation map online and plan a route following trails, bike lanes or commuter routes (
www.cycletbay.ca).
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Mature, certified instructors want you to feel confident about your cycling skills, answer your questions, and meet your needs. Through classroom, outdoor, and on-road sessions, participants will develop skills that allow for assertive, safe, and responsible behaviour. The course will teach defensive riding skills, traffic analysis, and collision avoidance techniques.
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Climate Change Photo Message
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YARDS AND GARDENS NEED WATER
One use for water retained by rain barrels is the maintenance of healthy plants. Water can be used as needed which means that the surface runoff during storms is eliminated (reduced flooding) and the demand for city water is reduced (reduced water bills). Also, locally produced vegetables eliminate the greenhouse gases (GHGs) associated with industrial agriculture, storage, transport and distribution of food.
By sharing our local climate change stories around impacts and actions we can inspire ourselves and others to create a better future
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We need a healthy environment to have a healthy economy and society
EarthCare Thunder Bay is a partnership between the City of Thunder Bay and the Community to work together on issues of community sustainability
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