S.E.N.S. Projects

Community Contributions:

* Public education so incineration is not in NORD’s Waste Reduction Plans.

* Panels or speakers most months, educating on a variety of sustainable environment topics.

* Establishing a fall leaf exchange event which is now a City program.

* Developing & coordinating an organic community garden program; also trained 12 unemployed youth about sustainable gardening, composting and environmental practices.

* Supporting formation of a local Environmental Advisory Committee.

* $20,000 generated to create pesticide alternatives, solar/alternative energy, and smart growth displays.

* Ran a “Changing Lanes” Project, with Federal funding and many local donations to provide transportation alternatives – Carpool.ca was sponsored until taken over by the City in 2009.

* Until June/06 piloted a ”One Tonne Challenge” Project to encourage behaviour change on global warming, to save money, improve physical well being, and make one’s life climate friendly!

* Lead supporter for “Wheels For Change”, a Nelson–Victoria cycling tour (July, 2007) that asked for action on climate change from municipal, provincial and federal officials.

* Active contributions to Xerindipity Gardens, Greater Vernon Cycling Advisory Cttee, Vernon’s Official Community Plan and NORD’s Regional Growth Strategy.

* Action on “350.org” yearly.

* Initiating annual Seed Swaps, educational EnviroFairs & local Transition Town Planning.

* Sponsored Bee S.A.F.E. movement started in Lumby / Cherryville area.

Future projects wish-list:

Quality of life improvements such as

• pesticide bylaws
• green taxes initiatives
• building bylaws
• reducing waste water using eco-sanitation principles
• building local food economies based on an agriculture that is safe for us and bees
• public transport review
• alternate energies
• greenways
• environmental mapping
• Swan Lake wetlands park
• waste reduction job creation through education
• one-stop recycling
• and apartment recycling.