City of waterloo neighbourhoods: strong and connected.

Sustainability starts on your street!

When planning an event for your neighbourhood, consider making these changes to help protect the environment:

Bring your own compost and recycling bins.
Encourage neighbours to bring their own cups, reusable water bottles and plates.
Use reusable signs like chalkboards to promote your event.
Borrow or rent any equipment you might need instead of buying new.
Make reusable name tags or buttons to get to know your neighbours.

Chalk board sign that says welcome to the ice cream social, sign is in a park

A few thoughtful changes can go a long way. Keep sustainability in mind as plans come together, so neighbourhood events are something everyone can feel good about! 💚

Get involved

Organize or join an Earth Day community clean up!

Another way to make an impact is to gather your neighbours to organize or join an Earth Day community cleanup.

Get your group together and help clean up a local park between April 22 and 30 - the city will provide you with all the instructions and supplies you'll need!

Registration opens on March 1.

You and your neighbours can also join the city-led cleanup at Waterloo Park on April 25!

Earth day community clean up with a garbage can and green grass

More ways to get involved

Make something awesome happen in your neighbourhood! Apply for the Neighbourhood Fund and get up to $7,500 for your idea that brings neighbours together. The deadline is today (Feb 25) at 2 p.m.
Know a caring and involved senior (65+) who goes out of their way to make a difference in our community? Nominate them for the Senior of the Year Award!

Winter background with a hand with a glove on with bird seed and a bird on the persons hand.

🙂 Smile corner 🙂

One neighbour shared that feeling one with nature always makes them smile. They love feeding the chickadees with their family and making memories.

Share with us what makes you smile! Submit a photo and a caption by replying to this email, and we might feature it in the Smile Corner of our next newsletter!

Get inspired

Eastbridge Sunset Community Garden

Neighbours in Eastbridge just added a herb garden with raised beds in their community garden!

They've also been looking for creative ways to bring neighbours together around growing food, supporting nature, and enjoying community activities outdoors.

Want to do something similar? This project is supported by a mini grant! Applications are open year-round.

Image of an outdoor garden with garden beds and plants

More ways to get inspired

Use the public art map while walking with a neighbour - it's a great way to explore and admire local artists together.
Have a neighbour who inspires you with their kindness? Tell us about them by nominating them as a kind neighbourhood and we'll send them a special thank you package!

Get in the know

The ActiveWaterloo Spring guide is here!

Programs at city recreation centres are fun on their own, but even more enjoyable when done with neighbours. Consider inviting a neighbouring family to join you!

Programs to check out:

Preschool Budding Musicians – First Steps in Music
Beginner crochet for children
Family Name Sign, Pillow Painting and many more adult maker workshops
Learning the basics of pickleball

Registration dates:

CARL sports leagues are now open
Summer camps and power skating clinics on February 24
Active living on March 3
Aquatics/leadership – March 17

Explore the full ActiveWaterloo guide.

More things to know

Are you aware of the new Waterloo Region Garbage collection changes? Take a look and share with your neighbours!
The Grade 5 Council for a Day contest is open! Winning students get to serve as a councillor for a day.
Spectrum Waterloo Region's Rainbow Community Space offers a variety of programs and services.

February Diversity Calendar

Source: Canadian Centre for Diversity & Inclusion's Diversity Ink Newsletter

Black History Month (Canada)

African Heritage Month (Nova Scotia)

February 1: Thaipusam

February 1: World Hijab Day

February 1: Imbolc / Imbolg / Oimelc / Candlemas

February 1 - February 7: World Interfaith Harmony Week

February 1 - February 7: White Cane Week

February 4: World Cancer Day

February 6: International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation

February 11: International Day of Women and Girls in Science

February 15: Maha Shivaratri

February 15: National Flag of Canada Day

February 15: Parinirvana / Nirvana Day

February 15 - February 21: Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week

February 16: Family Day

February 16: Islander Day

February 16: Nova Scotia Heritage Day

February 16: Louis Riel Day

February 16 (evening) - February 17 : Chinese New Year / Lunar New Year / Spring Festival

February 17: Shrove Tuesday / Mardis Gras / Carnival

February 18: Losar (Tibetan New Year)

February 18: Ash Wednesday

February 18 - April 2 : Lent (Western)

February 18 (sundown) - March 19 (estimate): Ramadan

February 20: World Day of Social Justice

February 21: International Mother Language Day

February 23 - April 11: Great Lent, or the Great Fast (Orthodox / Eastern)

February 26: Pink Shirt Day

Waterloo Neighbourhoods is published throughout the year to keep residents informed about the good things happening in neighbourhoods across Waterloo. If you’re reading Waterloo Neighbourhoods as a non-subscriber, visit our subscription page to sign up for future editions.

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