Spring Clean-ups & Sustainability – 2016 Earth Day

Celebrated each year on April 22, Earth Day is the largest environmental event in the world!   It’s a great time to take a look at what’s happening from a sustainability perspective close to home!

South Winnipeg-St. Norbert Ward

In our community, there are a number of clean-up initiatives taking place over the next few weeks:

• Bridgwater Lakes – 9:30 a.m. May 7
• Bridgwater Forest – 10:00 a.m. May 7

If you live in the South Winnipeg-St. Norbert and would like to organize a community clean-up this spring, here’s a few suggestions:

1. Register with Take Pride Winnipeg
   • Your group will receive free garbage bags and work gloves for their clean-up.
2. Register with my office: E-Mail jlukes@winnipeg.ca

1. • We will work with the Winnipeg Parks Department to organize the collection of trash collected by your group.
   • We will promote your community clean-up on JaniceLukes.ca Events
   • I will attend your event (based on availability), and cover the cost of coffee and Timbits for 40 people!

Plant a Tree in the Community!

In 2016, Earth Day Canada celebrates 25 years and has launched a worldwide campaign to grow the global forest by planting 7.8 billion trees, one for every person on the planet, by 2020. Want to get your hands dirty and plant a tree? Here’s some Earth Day Canada resources to get you started:

• LEAF Do-It-Yourself Tree Planting Workshop
  • www.yourleaf.org/do-it-yourself-program-online-workshop
• Evergreen’s School Ground Greening Resources
  • www.evergreen.ca/get-involved/resources/school-ground-greening
• Canadian Gardening: How to pick the best tree for your yard
  • www.canadiangardening.com/plants/trees-and-shrubs/pick-the-best-tree-to-plant-in-your-yard/a/21338 

Sustainability at City Hall

On April 13, the City of Winnipeg’s Executive Policy Committee (EPC) established a climate change working group to assess the City’s current climate change plans and recommend actions to address climate change.   Its’ mandate is to:

• Assess the status of the City’s commitment to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Partner for Climate Protection model and provide recommendations;
• Assess the current status of OurWinnipeg, the City’s long-term plan, as it relates to sustainable initiatives and provide recommendations; and
• Review new and developing funding sources with a focus on building partnerships with other levels of government.

To learn more, visit Climate Change Working Group.

Twitter link:  https://janicelukes.ca/?p=5635