May Highlights

Voices for Change: How Young People See Climate Action

Youth Climate Strike

On May 16 youth of all ages held a climate strike at the legislature. Young people are increasingly worried about climate change, as seen in the CBC story of 11-year-old Kiké, who skipped school due to climate anxiety. Feeling powerless, local youth took action by distributing flyers and gathering petitions to demand government intervention. This reflects a broader trend—youth recognize that their future is at stake and are mobilizing to push for urgent environmental policies. Many are turning their anxiety into activism, advocating for sustainability and climate justice. Their concern stems from the real consequences of inaction, and they are determined to make their voices heard in shaping a healthier planet.

Empowering Youth

for a Greener Future

EnviroCollective Network (ECN) is proud to introduce the Fridays for Future Youth Empowerment Fund, an initiative providing annual micro-grants to educators who support student-led environmental projects. By equipping young changemakers with the resources to drive climate action, this fund fosters innovation, sustainability, and leadership.

At a recent South Saskatchewan Community Foundation (SSCF) event, Rob Deglau, Chair of ECN, proudly presented a cheque to Donna Ziegler, Executive Director of SSCF, officially marking the establishment of this legacy fund.

The fund carries forward the mission of Fridays for Future Regina, a passionate group of young climate activists. When the pandemic disrupted in-person organizing, many of the original members aged out, moving on to studies, careers, and new pursuits. As the group naturally phased out, it left behind unused donated funds, originally intended to fuel climate action. Rather than letting those resources go unused, ECN stepped in to ensure their impact continued. With expert guidance, ECN transformed the donations into a legacy fund housed within SSCF, securing long-term financial support for student-driven environmental initiatives.

This fund ensures that the spirit of youth-led climate advocacy lives on, empowering future generations to take bold action for a sustainable world.

Join us in championing the next generation of environmental leaders

Regional Centre for Excellence

On May 15 ECN participated in the monthly RCE meeting. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from Allyson Brady, who presented on the Saskatchewan Environmental Society’s (SES) ongoing commitment to environmental education. She highlighted the society’s efforts in offering sustainability-focused programs that actively engages schools and communities, fostering conservation initiatives and responsible resource use. We had the opportunity to highlight SES education programs in our April Newsletter

TEDxRegina

ECN secured front-row seats at the highly anticipated TEDxRegina event on May 17th, held at the University of Regina Education Auditorium. The conference, masterfully organized by Moses Anjorin, brought together an inspiring mix of thinkers, leaders, and changemakers. Speakers tackled pressing topics like climate change and the evolving role of social media in healthcare, sparking meaningful discussions. The event wasn’t just about ideas—it featured musical performances, comedy magic, and engaging dialogue. Revitalized by Moses after a hiatus, TEDxRegina has become an annual tradition, empowering the community with bold insights and fresh perspectives that continue to shape Saskatchewan’s future. Read more about Moses Anjorin in ECN community activist profile Dec 2024

Sask Waste Reduction Conference

The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council (SWRC) successfully hosted the 2025 Waste ReForum from May 28 to 30 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Regina. The three-day event featured engaging tours, expert-led workshops, and panel discussions focused on circular economy innovations and sustainable waste management. Highlights included site visits to local recycling facilities, keynote presentations, and the Waste Reduction Awards Banquet. Attendees from across the province and beyond gathered to share strategies, explore new technologies, and celebrate progress in waste reduction. The conference concluded with hands-on workshops and a renewed commitment to environmental leadership and collaboration in Saskatchewan and beyond.

City of Regina’s

Parks Master Plan

Regina’s parks and open spaces are essential to the city’s identity, culture, and overall well-being as laid out in the Parks Master Plan. With every tree and shrub carefully planted throughout history, the city now has an opportunity to strengthen its urban landscape in response to Climate Change. ECN has actively researched programs that could support environmental groups, community associations, service clubs, indigenous communities, and conservation efforts—offering plant materials, funding, and expert planning advice. Many of these initiatives require municipal collaboration and advance preparation, sometimes up to a year. See what we found

Tree and shrub seedlings are provided free-of-charge to Saskatchewan not-for-profit organizations, service clubs, conservation groups …...The principal requirement is a commitment to preserve and enhance Saskatchewan’s environment. Seedlings are supplied to …….. groups for the following purposes:

•    Land conservation, reclamation, phytoremediation, shelterbelts, and the creation of new habitat for wildlife; 

•    The afforestation of portions of Saskatchewan in order to assist in the mitigation of carbon dioxide emissions; and

•      Promotional events that expand the awareness and understanding of the importance of trees to our environment and that display credit to SaskPower

Tree Canada is dedicated to preserving and expanding Canada’s urban forests, recognizing their vital social, psychological, and economic benefits. Since 1992, they’ve worked alongside partners, governments, and businesses to foster community greening initiatives. Their grants support schools, Indigenous communities, municipalities, and non-profits in tree planting and sustainable urban design. Programs like Greening Canada’s School Grounds, Edible Trees, and Treemendous Communities provide up to $10,000 to support projects that enhance landscapes, fight food insecurity, and create lasting environmental impact. Discover how Tree Canada empowers communities to grow greener, healthier spaces for future generations.

The 2 Billion Trees (2BT) program is a nationwide effort to expand forests and combat climate change. Over the next decade, this initiative will provide financial support to organizations planting trees, fostering partnerships with provinces, territories, non-profits, businesses, and Indigenous communities.

Applications are open year-round, with proposals reviewed at regular intervals. Funding is available through two streams:

- Tree Planting Stream for organizations interested in leading planting projects.

- Indigenous Funding Stream for Indigenous governments and communities focused on tree planting and capacity-building efforts.

This program helps create greener, healthier spaces for future generations. Learn more and get involved today!

The Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC) initiative, powered by Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM), is designed to help communities plant the right trees in the right places—maximizing environmental, social, and economic benefits. Whether a community is just beginning its urban forestry journey or has extensive experience, GCCC offers tailored support through funding, expert coaching, educational resources, and specialized training.

Municipal governments can partner with various organizations to access this support, including:

• Indigenous organizations and communities**, whether for-profit or not-for-profit  
• Canadian-registered not-for-profits**, such as charities, volunteer groups, professional associations, land conservation organizations, and NGOs  

Our research indicates that the City of Regina has the potential to secure nearly $10 million from this program, presenting a significant opportunity for local environmental initiatives.

Gail Fennell Nature Regina

Gail Fennell is a passionate advocate for native plant gardening and biodiversity conservation. A dedicated volunteer with Nature Regina, she has played a key role in rejuvenating the Regina Plains Native Plant Garden at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum. Gail’s expertise in native prairie plants has helped create thriving habitats for pollinators and wildlife. She also serves as a Butterfly Ranger with the David Suzuki Foundation, promoting pollinator-friendly landscapes. Through her leadership, she has inspired many to embrace sustainable gardening practices that support local ecosystems. Gail’s work continues to make a lasting impact on conservation efforts in Saskatchewan

2025 Indigenous Perspectives Roundtables - June 18

The Next Repair Cafe: Saturday July 19th

In our Repair Cafe in box

"I just wanted to express my appreciation for the event and strong support of the education, goals, and mindset. Thanks for bringing this out in the community." Jason Mancinelli - Regina City Councillor

Sherwood Co-op - Thank You

A huge thank you to Sherwood Co-op for generously supplying the tools and materials that made our Repair Café possible! Your support empowered our volunteers to fix items for free, helping our community reduce waste and keep cherished belongings in use. We truly appreciate your commitment to sustainability and local support!

Small Gestures

A huge shoutout to this inspiring community champion! With a book lending library in their front yard and a passionate call for youth climate action, they are fostering both knowledge and activism. Their commitment to education and sustainability proves that small efforts can spark big change. Thank you for leading by example!

The SWRC Difference:

Small Choices, Big Impact

The Sask Waste Reduction Council leads by example, seamlessly integrating sustainability into every detail. Even small choices, renting reusable lanyards and crafting name tags from repurposed cardboard with paper labels, reflect their commitment to waste reduction. Their actions prove that real change starts with conscious decisions. Kudos to SWRC for making sustainability a way of life!

Too Good To Go is a social impact company dedicated to fighting food waste. Founded in 2016 in Denmark, it operates a smartphone app that connects consumers with restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores offering surplus food at discounted prices. The platform has grown to over 100 million users and 175,000 business partners across 19 countries. By rescuing unsold food, Too Good To Go helps businesses reduce waste while offering affordable meals to consumers. It’s a win-win for people, businesses, and the planet! Available at the App Store and Google Play

The Regina Antique Mall

by Autumn McDowell

Nestled in the Warehouse District, tucked behind the Value Village mall lies a treasure trove of past lives: The Regina Antique Mall. 

In operation since 1982, this gem is recognized by many as the heartbeat of Regina’s antique scene. With over 20,000 square feet spread across three floors, you can easily spend hours exploring everything from vintage clothing and vinyl records to glassware, furniture, books, and more. 

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a casual browser, there’s something for everyone! Just make sure to give yourself enough time to uncover all the hidden treasures waiting inside.

Autumn McDowell, better known as @thriftmechic on Instagram and TikTok, calls Regina, home. As the Queen City's thrift-shopping guru, she shares unbeatable deals, creative finds, and second-hand style inspiration, while shining a light on local treasures and must-visit spots.

Yes, EVs are fun to drive!

It’s funny but there are still some people out there who think that EVs are not good sporty or performance cars. I think they must be remembering their last experience with an EV, which was a golf cart driven by lead-acid batteries. The truth is that about half of the fastest cars in the world are now electric, a Tesla can now compete with a Bugatti, and both Ford and Dodge have made electric vehicles which while a bit heavy, are arguably muscle cars. But I personally think that the real advantage of EVs is that they make every car a sporty car. Why? Because a fossil fuel car doesn’t deliver its best acceleration from a stop. It has to have all sorts of gears and special modes to make the gap between when you floor it and when it takes off as small as possible. In contrast, almost every EV has exactly ONE gear, because an electric motor provides maximum torque/oomph at zero km/h. And you can feel that head-snapping acceleration even in my relatively inexpensive little Kia Soul EV. I don’t need a muscle car; I’ve got an EV.  

csCreatives

On May 17, 2025, the University of Regina’s Education Building came alive with energy, creative ideas, and futuristic thinking during TEDxRegina. Among the standout “Mission Possible” moments was a discovery session hosted by local eco-artist Credell Simeon, founder of csCreatives, a sustainable art and design studio in Regina.

Credell's session invited participants to explore their personal mission through creativity. Bottles, often viewed as waste, became both canvas and metaphor—tools for reflection and transformation. Attendees painted their ambitions, vision, and bold mission onto the glass, then turned their artworks into functional bottle lights designed to “keep their vision alive.” The experience was a vivid reminder of how small creative acts can illuminate a greater purpose—sustainability through art. Read more

Credell Simeon is a Regina-based freelance writer and artist passionate about sustainability and creative expression. She specializes in projects like bottle painting that promote zero-waste living and inspire her community to find beauty in repurposed materials.

We’ll share one sustainable development goal in each upcoming newsletter

SDG 15 and its Role in Regina's Sustainability Efforts

Regina is making significant strides in supporting Sustainable Development Goal 15—Life on Land—through local conservation efforts. The Urban Wildlife Project, spearheaded by the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, University of Regina, and Nature Regina, monitors more than 40 species in city parks, providing valuable data on urban biodiversity. The Cathedral Forest Initiative is revitalizing neglected green spaces by planting native micro-forests, creating new habitats for wildlife. Meanwhile, there is a movement to create a Regina Biodiversity Park by transforming an old golf course into a prairie restoration site, fostering native plants and pollinators. The Butterflyway Project encourages residents to plant wildflowers, connecting neighbourhoods through pollinator-friendly corridors. Collectively, these initiatives highlight Regina’s growing dedication to protecting biodiversity and strengthening urban ecosystems for future generations. Let me know if you’d like any refinements

What's EPR

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach that makes businesses responsible for the waste management and recycling of the products they create. Instead of taxpayers footing the bill for disposal, producers must ensure their products are properly managed at the end of their lifecycle.

Think of it like this: If a company makes batteries, electronics, or packaging, they can't just sell them and forget about them. They have to set up collection programs, fund recycling efforts, and sometimes even redesign products to be more sustainable.

EPR is widely used across Canada and other countries to reduce waste and encourage companies to be more environmentally responsible. Want to dive deeper into how it works in Canada? Here is the link!

Waste Reduction Hub

Looking to ditch waste without turning your home into a landfill scavenger hunt? The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Hub is your go-to “Where Do I Dump This?” search engine! Whether it’s electronics, batteries, paint, or that mysterious cord collection you swear might be useful one day, just type it in and instantly find local recycling and composting spots. No more guessing or accidental “Oops, was that recyclable?” moments—this hub connects you to smart waste solutions across Saskatchewan. Give it a try and let your trash find a better home. Learn how to PC or Mobile

Local Innovation Leads the Way:

MacPherson Engineering Inc, a trusted local leader in innovative energy solutions, has been awarded the contract to design the City of Regina’s geothermal heating system for its new Indoor Aquatic Facility (IAF). This project showcases our region’s expertise in advanced sustainable technology, utilizing deep geothermal energy for cleaner heating. By tapping into local engineering talent, the City is making a bold step toward transitioning away from fossil fuels and aligning with its 2050 renewable city vision. Regina has the knowledge and technology to lead this change.

How Farmers Can Lead the Food Revolution

Farmers are at the heart of a global push for sustainable food systems. Governments and businesses are working together to create incentives that reward eco-friendly farming practices. With a focus on resilience and food security, initiatives aim to support farmers while making agriculture more sustainable for the future.

Did you know most electric vehicles (EVs) in Canada are not affected by the country's 21.25% automotive counter-tariffs. Out of 89 EV models available, only six are impacted. This means Canadian buyers still have access to affordable EV options. The report urges the government to maintain policies that support EV availability and affordability.

Pass the Salt

Denmark has unveiled a groundbreaking molten hydroxide salt energy storage system, capable of powering 100,000 homes for 10 hours. Developed by Hyme Energy in collaboration with Sulzer, this 1 GWh storage facility marks a major leap in renewable energy storage. The system converts electricity into heat, storing it in molten salt at 600°C (1,112°F). With up to 90% efficiency, this innovation could revolutionize grid stability and industrial decarbonization. Denmark is proving that sustainable energy storage is not just possible—it’s happening now.

Cooling the Future: How Magnets Are Changing Refrigeration

Magnetic cooling offers a revolutionary, eco-friendly alternative to traditional refrigeration. Using the magnetocaloric effect, certain materials heat up when exposed to a magnetic field and cool down when it’s removed—eliminating harmful gases. Researchers are refining this technology to create efficient cooling systems for food storage and medical preservation. With commercial applications emerging, magnetic refrigeration is becoming a reality, promising a sustainable future powered by magnets.

Read more at Refindustry or at Undecided

"It’s incredible that so many people require little proof to believe a lie, yet endless proof will never get them to change their minds." - Author Unknown

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