In This Newsletter:
- Save the Date! Upcoming event with Chief Administration Officers (CAOs) from across the region on May 29th.
- Climate Action Teams share their progress as we head in to Earth Day on April 22nd
- Reminder: Register for the 2024 Sustainability Summit on April 25th
Save the Date! May 29th – CAOs Highlight actions being taken on some of our toughest regional challenges.
We are excited to announce our virtual event taking place on Wednesday, May 29th from 4:30 -6:00 pm. Modelling a Regional Approach to tackle our Toughest Challenges features CAOs from across the region highlighting current actions taking place in Clearview, Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, The Town of the Blue Mountains, Grey Highlands, and Meaford. Please mark you calendars and keep an eye on upcoming newsletters for registration details!
Connecting with Our Local Climate Action Teams for Earth Day Insights!
As Earth Day approaches on Monday, April 22nd, the Institute is sharing a Climate Action summary for the region with input from four dedicated and action-oriented Climate Action teams.
In recent newsletters, we’ve showcased businesses committing to more sustainable practices. Now, as we approach Earth Day, it’s up to each of us to do our part. We celebrate the dedication and innovation of our local Climate Action Teams and encourage you to connect with your local team.
CLEARVIEW SUSTAINABILITY NETWORK
The Clearview Sustainability Network (CSN) came together in 2023 when Clearview Township began to review its Official and Strategic Plans. We saw an opportunity to bring together diverse members of our community to help our local government adapt and evolve in the face of a changing climate.
Our work to date includes actively participating in the reviews of Clearview Township’s Strategic and Official Plans, hosting public meetings, building relationships with the Township Council members, advocating for the creation of a Climate Action Advisory Committee, and writing articles on plastics, green development standards and biodiversity. As the Official and Strategic Plans have been largely completed, we are expanding our focus to include supporting our local community. As an agricultural community, we are beginning conversations around how to support our farmers. In addition, we have begun liaising with neighbouring environmental groups and exploring a regional approach to green development standards.
Please join us at our next event. Renowned gardening guru Lorraine Johnson will be presenting on “Gardening for Biodiversity” at the Creemore Station on the Green April 24th at 7pm. If you would like to join the network or keep in the loop on upcoming events, please email [email protected]. We all want to do our part to ensure a vibrant and resilient community.
WASAGA BEACH CLIMATE ACTION TEAM
Join the WASAGA BEACH SHORELINE CLEAN-UP on April 21st, from 9am to 12pm at Beach Area 2, Hosted by Wasaga Beach Climate Action Team and Georgian Bay Forever. Be the Solution to Shoreline Pollution. More information here.
The Rain Barrel Solution: Saving Water for a Sustainable Future.
In the era of environmental consciousness, the imperative to save and conserve water has never been more critical.
One of the simplest and most effective methods of water conservation is the use of rain barrels. A single rain barrel can help save over 1000 gallons of water during peak summer months, lowering water bills and easing pressure on infrastructure while lowering energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with water treatment and distribution.
The Wasaga Beach Climate Action Team is launching its annual rain barrel fundraising sale. To order online: go to our website, and pick up your barrel at the Wasaga Beach RecPlex on June 1st.
COLLINGWOOD CLIMATE ACTION TEAM
When was the last time someone asked you how you feel about the climate crisis? It’s a question that often evokes a range of emotions and thoughts. From concern for future generations to uncertainty about what lies ahead; we increasingly need to talk about what our changing climate means on personal, familial, and societal levels.
Recognizing the crucial link between climate change and mental health, the Collingwood Climate Action Team (CCAT) runs a Climate Café workshop series; as they support building our resilience as a community. What exactly is a Climate Café? It’s a facilitated discussion devoid of guest speakers, lectures, or advice – an action-free zone where participants can freely express themselves without judgement. This provides an opportunity for individuals to engage with others and explore their feelings about the climate crisis in a safe and inclusive setting.
Best of all, CCAT offers these Climate Cafés to the community free of charge. Cafés take place every second Thursday of the month at Summit Social House. Let’s connect, support one another, and empower our community to take action against climate change, one conversation at a time.
Contact CCAT: Laura Vermander, Director of Community Engagement ([email protected])
Climate Action Now Network is a little fish on a big bay in the Town of the Blue Mountains. Small but mighty.
Our goal is simple: to reduce carbon pollution in our corner of the planet. We “Go Green for a Better Blue”.
We’re not publicly political but have been known to push for change through municipal channels via deputations and lobbying our politicians and town staff. We use words AND actions to achieve our goal.
Some of us are wordsmiths, others skilled organizers. We even have two urban planners. Others simply know how to get things done.
Our past successes include:
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Styrofoam recycling at the Town landfill
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Hosting all candidate events, instigating natural burial at the Union Cemetery
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Natural asset inventory
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Earth Day clean-ups, and
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Tree giveaways at the Beaver Valley Fall Fair. We’ve also teamed up with the Tree Trust to plant 500 trees in TBM.
Ongoing projects include official plan engagement and Families for Climate Action for which we received a grant from Beaver Valley Outreach (BVO).
April is a busy month for us! Come check us out at the Volunteer Awards, the Repair Cafe, the TBM Sustainability Summit in the Blue Mountain Village, the Big Canoe Project in Meaford, or Earth Day at the LE Shore Library.
Contact CANN: [email protected]
REMINDER: 2024 Sustainability Summit
Exploring a Regional Green Economy
When: Thursday, April 25, 2024
Where: Blue Mountain Village Conference Centre
242 Jozo Weider Blvd, The Blue Mountains, ON L9Y 3Z2
Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Free event; registration is required – be part of shifting our economies towards sustainability!
The Town of The Blue Mountains invites everyone to the first annual Sustainability Summit, taking place on April 25, 2024!
The Sustainability Summit is an important event for businesses, organizations, and local governments as they converge from across Grey and Simcoe Counties, Southern Georgian Bay and neighbouring areas. Participants will explore green economy concepts, including the circular economy, which focuses on reducing and diverting waste and lays the foundation for a new regional Green Economy Hub following the Green Economy Canada model.
The Blue Mountains Future Story, the Town’s community sustainability plan, guides us towards collaborative action in creating climate solutions, fostering sustainable neighbourhoods, and cultivating a culture of innovation and prosperity. A Sustainability Summit is one of the Town’s Bold Actions to help build partnerships, share best practices, and inspire regional action as we work together towards a sustainable future.
As part of the Summit, the Institute of Southern Georgian Bay, Town of The Blue Mountains, Grey County, RTO7, Town of Collingwood, Blue Mountain Resort, MacLean Engineering, Collingwood Climate Action Team, Wasaga Beach Climate Action Team, Climate Action Now Network, and Georgian Bay Forever are developing a session to explore the feasibility of a Green Economy Hub here, as we believe that sustainability is a winning strategy for business.
Visit the website to see the full list of keynote speakers and itinerary for the event.