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EVENTSEARTH DAY
Friday, April 22, 2016
go green ~ earth day 2016 Pullout Section
THE FREE PRESS Thursday, April 21, 2016 13
Seed SwapGet ready to garden with the EcoGardens Seed Swap.
Bring your own locally grown seeds to swap or bring money to donate
for seeds that you take home. The Seed Swap will offer information
about Seeds of Diversity, a resource of locally grown seeds and
local growing information. 3-6pm at the Library
Kids FunCome on down to the Fernie Heritage Library for some
serious fun. Get your face painted and make a button. Join in on a
nature activity in the library garden. Its all free, and it all
happens from 3-6pm at the Library.
Soil SecretsLearn all about soil with the Elk River Alliance.
Participate in hands on activities and experiments using dirt to
clean water. Family fun for all ages. 3-6pm at the Library
#trashbashchallengeKick off your day with the Trash Bash
Challenge. Find an outdoor area that you love and take initiative
to clean up your neighbourhood. Grab your friends and family and
get outside to make a difference. Take a photo and post it to the
Earth Day Fernie Facebook page, Facebook.com/earthdayfernie with
hashtag #TrashBashChallenge. With your post, include how many bags,
how many people and how much time you spent cleaning up your
neighbourhood. Prizes will be awarded for participation.
#getwildchallengeGrab your camera or cell phone and become part
of the Get Wild Challenge. Get outside, take some deep breaths, see
the beauty and take some photos. Share your great photo-ops on
Facebook.com/earthdayfernie hashtag #GetWild Challenge. Let us know
why you love spending time in nature on Earth Day. Tell us how much
time you spent outside and what you did. At the end of the day,
visit our Facebook page to discover what others have done! You
might get some great ideas - its all good clean FUN! Prizes will be
awarded for participating in the Get Wild Challenge.
Silent AuctionBid on a great selection of eco-friendly products
and services. All proceeds to benefit the Wildsight
Elk Valley Branch. Bidding closes promptly at 5:30 p.m.
Toddler Time - StorytimeToddlers (ages 0-2) and their caregivers
are welcomed to the Library for environmental stories, songs and
fingerplays. 11:15-noon at the Library
Think Tank Cinema FilmsView an amazing selection of Think Tank
Cinema films that may be borrowed to view in the comfort of your
own home. These inspiring environmental films were selected as part
of the Think Tank Cinema series
Eat Local Challenge:Root Cellar Round-UpGather, Forage and/or
Prepare a glimpse of whats left from your 2015 harvest. Create a
beautiful offering...in a basket, a meal, a glass jar, or otherwise
to showcase how you extend the bounty of your harvest into the next
growing season. Enter with LOCAL home grown produce or sourced in
200km. Entries accepted between 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Eco Speaker SeriesShort & informative presentations &
Q&As with knowledgeable experts on topics like:Winter Food
StorageFood SecurityBear Proof CommunitiesCold Climate Gardening
& More!
Other EventsWednesday April 20thEcoGarden Work PartyDrop by the
Community EcoGarden and lend a helping hand. No experience
necessary. 5-7pmThursday April 21, 2016 Film - Haida Gwaii - On the
Edge of the WorldCelebrating National Canadian Film Day and Earth
day with a free presentation of the stunning, award winning 2015
film by Charles Wilkinson. A special presentation hosted by the
Reel Canadian Film Festival and Indie Films Fernie at the Arts
Station.Now till May 30thPeace Parks Perspectives ExhibitVisit the
Fernie Museum to explore a photography exhibition by Norman E.
Riley that explores the spectacular scenery of the International
Peace Park.
By Tanya Malcolm
Were not a high maintenance community. We enjoy the luxury of
being on Fernie Time. We rarely experience road rage, or massive
line-ups. Theres good people around every corner ready for a
friendly exchange. We truly are a great little Down To Earth
mountain town.
On April 22 Earth Day Fernie is celebrating the planet with the
unique energy of our community in mind. Earth Day 2016 is a simple,
educational & down to earth event designed to offer something
fun for everyone.
Brought to you by Wildsight Elk Valley in partnership with the
Fernie Heritage Library, and The Elk River Alliance (ERA). Earth
Day Fernie celebrations will take place from 3-6pm at the library.
You can attend the Community Eco Garden Seed Swap, the Eco Speaker
Series: a line up of short presentations and Q&As on
environmental topics, enter the Eat Local Challenge, Grab a free
tree, learn Soil Secrets with ERA and so much more!
Get all the event information at Wildsight.ca/elkvalley or
connect with us on Facebook: Earth Day Fernie. We hope to see you
at The Fernie Heritage Library on Earth Day April 22.
Wildsight members, Casey Brennan and Ayla Bennett demonstrate
the apple press in front of the Wildsight Elk Valley Branch
office.
Photo by Wildsight
Kids + Dirt = Fun! By Dawn Deydey
Plants have the power to change our lives. They allow the simple
and therapeutic pleasure of working and caring for other living
things. They play a basic role in providing clean air and serve as
a nutritious basis for healthy living, and are uniquely effective
teaching tools.
Gardening teaches our youth about the magic of harvest (where
carrots actually come from and how tasty locally-grown vegetables
really can be. Working with plants allows children to learn
patience, responsibility as well as consequences of actions.
The EcoGarden offers multiple programs to help get kids outdoors
and into the garden to renew the essential connection between them,
plants, the food we eat and the environment through gardening.
Little Sprouts is a free garden program for kids ages zero to six
and their caregivers that runs at the EcoGarden on Thursdays from
9:30-11:30 in July and August. EcoKids Summer Camp is a week-long
day camp for kids ages five-11, where kids get to spend a week
outdoors explore, nature, science, art and more. Growing with
Gardens is a school based program to support educators in bringing
gardening into the classroom. Topics include seed saving, planting,
vermicomposting and can be tailored to meet the needs of the
classroom.
To learn more visit Ecogarden.ca or connect with the EcoGarden
via facebook at Facebook.com/communityecogarden
EcoGarden camper, taking science into his own hands at the
EcoKids Camp.
Photo by Dawn Deydey
Elk Valley Tool Share By Sandra Boer
Spring is here, local produce is growing! How can you get the
most out of the growing season and reap the benefit of locally
grown foods without the cost of all the tools needed to do the job?
Consider borrowing tools from the Wildsight Tool Share!The
Wildsight Apple Capture program has offered apple presses to the
community for the past
few years. The success of this program has led to an expansion
to include other equipment such as a dehydrator, a smoker, a gas
cook stove for canning and more.
Visit Wildsight.ca/branches/elkvalley/toolshare to see a full
list of available items that you can book, or visit the Tool Share
Booth at the Earth Day festivities on April 22nd.
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14 THE FREE PRESS, Thursday, April 21, 2016 www.thefreepress.ca
THE FREE PRESS Thursday, April 21, 2016 15www.thefreepress.ca
Make Every Day Earth Day
For more information, contact the RDEK at 250-489-2791 or
1-888-478-7335
Earth Week is a great time to think about what each of us can do
to make a positive difference. Reducing, reusing and recycling
really add up.
This year, you can sign the 25th Anniversary Earth Flag, and
pledge to make every day Earth Day and commit to reducing your
carbon footprint.
Join Earth Day Canadas #Rooting4Trees campaign and help plant
25,000 legacy trees for Earth Day 2016
Download #Rooting4Trees posters and website tools
Plant or pledge a tree to celebrate Earth Day
Sign the Earth Flag to show your support!
w w w.ear thday.ca
Earth Day Fun TriviaEarth Day was first celebrated in:
A) 1960B) 1965
C) 1970D) 1975
Which household appliance uses the most energy?A) RefrigeratorB)
Toaster
C) DishwasherD) Washing machine
Recycling 1,000 kg of aluminum saves enough energy to heat a/an
____________ for 10 years.A) Typical homeB) Elementary school
C) Corner storeD) Restaurant
What household appliance uses the second most amount of energy
(the first is therefrigerator)?
A) Hair dryerB) Clothes Dryer
C) MicrowaveD) Computer
The average Canadian home is illuminated by ___ light bulbs:A)
31B) 41
C) 51D) 61
The average Canadian uses 36,000 L of water each year for:A)
ShowersB) Dish Washing
C) LaundryD) Toilet Flushing
Composting can reduce your household waste by:A) 10%B) 25%
C) 50%D) 75%
Answers: C; A Refrigerators use about 11% of a households total
energy consumption; A - Recycling
1,000 kg of aluminum saves the equivalent of 10,000 L of
gasoline; B; B; D - the average toilet uses about
19 litres per flush; C.
Both your alkaline and rechargeable batteries are recyclable, as
are cellphones.
From AAA to odd size batteries (like the ones in your portable
phone), batteries can be recycled in many communities around the
region.
The drop off locations for old batteries and cellphones in the
Elk Valley include:
City of FernieFernie Aquatic Centre Canadian Tire & The
Source - Fernie
For more information, visit www.call2recycle.ca
Unused and expired medicines can be returned to pharmacies
participating in the Health Products Stewardship Association.
Whats accepted:All prescription drugsNon-prescription
medicationHerbal productsVitamin and mineral supplementsThroat
lozenges
Whats NOT accepted:Cosmetics, skin care
productsDisinfectants/cleanersContact lens
solutionsSunscreen/suntan lotionMouthwashes and toothpastes
Proper disposal of medicines is important. Check dates on
medications today - and call your local pharmacy to see if they are
participating in the Return Program.
For more information visit www.healthsteward.ca. Paper,
cardboard, tin
cans, grocery bags and
plastics #1-#6 go in the
yellow bins in the RDEK
and the City of Fernies
blue bag program.
The environmental handling fee you pay on electronics in BCare
managed by Encorp and a wide range of electronics are accepted for
recycling.
The electronics recycling depot for the Elk Valley is:Fernie
Bottle Depot1291 Ridgemont Avenue, FerniePhone: 250-423-2009
They accept a wide range of electronics, including: Televisions
Computers & peripherals
(keyboard, mouse) Monitors Fax machines DVD/VHS players
Scanners
Stereos, MP3 players & docking stations Speakers Earphones
Microphones Telephones Discman, walkman Radios
Recycling Your Old Electronics
You can use ANY yellow bin in the East Kootenay. Here are some
quick tips to remember when recycling in the yellow bins or Fernie
blue bag curbside program:
All plastics MUST be clean and have a number between 1 and 6.
That number must be in the triangular recycling symbol. If there is
no number, it should go in the garbage if it cant be reused.
All plastic grocery/shopping bags can be recycled -- even if
they dont have a number on them. This is the only item that can be
recycled if it doesnt have a number. All other plastics must be
numbered
Styrofoam CANNOT be recycled in the yellow bins/blue bags --
even if it is marked with a number 6. The only depot for styrofoam
is Cranbrook Bottle Depot.
Tin cans should be well rinsed with labels removed, if possible.
Cardboard should be flattened to save bin space. All paper products
can go in the yellow bins (and Fernies blue bag program) --
including
hard and soft cover books. Foil covered or waxy papers (like
milk cartons or foil greeting cards) cannot be recycled.
Recycling 101 - The Basics
In BC, over
50,000 kg of
unused or expired
medicines are
collected each year
Batteries & CellphonesMedications Return
LightRecycle is the BC residential light recycling program.
Accepted products include incandescent lights, LEDs, compact
fluorescent and tube fluorescent light bulbs.
The recycling program is for residentially generated lights
only.
There are currently three LightRecycle Depots in the East
Kootenay:
Fernie Home Building Centre300 Manitou Road
Cranbrook Home Hardware1901 McPhee Road
Cranbrook - Skyway Distributors Ltd 304 NW Slater Road
For more information, visit www.regeneration.ca
Fluorescent Lights Can Be Recycled
Learn More About Earth DayWhat to do with Packaging
Multi-Materials BC is a non-profit stewardship organization that
oversees the new product stewardship program for printed paper and
packaging. Their only depot in the East Kootenay is the Cranbrook
Bottle Depot. They take paper/cardboard products, aluminum and
tin*,glass, styrofoam*, and plastic packaging (including
film/wrap*). *Some items in these categories are not accepted in
RDEK yellow bin program
Visit http://recyclinginbc.ca/program/can-recycled
Where to Take Used PaintAll paint and aerosol paints in the Elk
Valley should be taken to the Fernie Bottle Depot. Paint containers
must be sealed and clearly labeled. If paint cans are dried out and
there is no liquid left, the cans can go in the garbage.
More info at: www.regeneration.ca
Small Appliance RecyclingThe Fernie Bottle Depot also accepts
small appliances for recycling, including:
Blenders Microwaves Food Processors & mixers Bread Makers
Coffee Grinders Clocks & timers
Bathroom scales Ironing boards & irons Portable fans &
heaters Automatic toothbrushes Electric razors
Find complete list and more info at: www.regeneration.ca
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16 THE FREE PRESS Thursday, April 21, 2016
www.thefreepress.ca
Saturday, April 22, 2016Soil SecretsBy Lee-Anne Walker, ERA
Executive Director
Soil is the thin skin that covers the Earth and is all that
separates us from life and lifelessness. Even though it is critical
to life, we generally treat this fragile, loose, soft material
covering the ground, just like dirt!
Soils are more than dirt. Soils are a mixture of minerals from
the mountains, air, water, and living and dead organisms. Soils
grow plants and these feed almost all life on this planet. So what
are five secrets contained in soil and how are they essential for
Elk Valley residents this Earth Day?1. Soils are made up of living
and dead things. A teaspoon of good farm soil contains upwards of
billions of bacteria, not to mention bugs, fungi, nematodes, worms,
feces, roots, rotting plants, minerals, water, air ..2. Soils are
alive. Like you and me soils are born and have a life story. In the
Elk Valley soils were born after the glaciers retreated some 10,000
years ago. When you are digging look at the soil profile from the
side. Colourful layers give us clues of changes over time. Did you
know the orangey clays in the Elk Valley are evidence of
accumulated fine sediment from Glacial Lake Elk dammed by debris at
the south end of the valley? Glacial Lake Elk filled the Elk Valley
when the glaciers retreated and the melt water was trapped behind a
terminal moraine near the tunnel. It was so deep that it flowed
east out the Crowsnest Pass! Living things poop, die and decompose
and their remains add slowly to the thin skin growing all the trees
and plants you see out your window. 3. Soils are unique depending
on the ingredients and soil-forming factors. Locally soil starts
with key ingredients unique to our geology, climate and length of
time. Rocky mountains ingredients are generous bits of limestone,
sandstone, shale and coal. Add water from snowmelt and abundant
spring rains to the surface and let it seep down. Mix in bacteria
and fungi to break down dead plants and recycle nutrients. Cold
winters and warm summers over 10,000 years regulate the cooking
temperature and time. VOILA, beautiful, diverse plants over the
landscape! 4. Soil is more fun when you add water. Kids are
mesmerized by soil and water squeezing it through their pudgy toes
or forming it into mud pies. In nature soil spaces hold moisture
storing it like a giant sponge, slowly releasing it into the
environment over time. Where do you think the water in our local
creeks and rivers comes from when all the snow has melted and it is
hot and dry in the summer?5. You are soil. Every cell in your body
is nourished from plants growing in soils or animals that ate
plants. Through time, civilizations rise and fall by how well we
treat our soils. So one last secret this Earth Day: save our soils;
save ourselves.
Visit the Elk River Alliance Soil Secrets table at Earth Day
Elkriveralliance.ca
Students explore soil secrets at Fernie Secondary School
(2015).Photo by Ayla Bennett
Saving the Planet with GratitudeBy Tanya Malcolm
Every year Earth Day comes around and I think of ways I can give
back. How can I reduce my carbon footprint? Where should I pick up
garbage? How many trees should I plant? Its an inspiring feeling,
and Im glad Earth Day exists as a reminder to ask myself what I can
do for our planet. As Earth Day approaches this year, my thoughts
have shifted, Ive been thinking about what our planet gives me.
Every morning when I wake up, I open the curtains, greet the day
and pause. The beauty I am surrounded by never ceases to take my
breath away. Its my daily deep breath reminder. Every day, this
moment reminds me Im alive. Every day this moment fills my cup.
Every day in this moment I find gratitude.
This Earth Day Im going to plant a tree, pick up trash, and get
outdoors with my family. Im also going to bring the gratitude I
have for the beautiful, deep breath reminding, environment that
surrounds me into my day, and into my life. Leading with gratitude
is a simple way to cultivate patience, compassion, satisfaction and
creative expression. Gratitude diffuses frustration with one
thought. One thought...I am grateful for this moment. Gratitude
means you are being open to learning more about yourself, yet
simultaneously makes you a leader. Right now our planet needs more
leaders - Earth Keepers saving the planet one deep breath at a
time.
To be thankful is to be at peace, and I think that is what the
Great Mother Earth truly wants for us. Please join me this Earth
day, in not only giving back to our planet, but also thinking
deeply about what she gives you. This Earth Day take a moment, and
a deep breath and say...Thank You.
Seed LoveBy Mary Cosman
.become like me.Slave to a springtime passion for the earth.How
love burns through the putting in the seedOn through the watching
for that early birthWhen, just as the soil tarnishes with weed,The
sturdy seedling with arched body comesShouldering its way and
shedding the earth crumbs.This excerpt from Robert Frosts poem,
Putting in the Seed, beautifully describes the passion we
gardeners
have for the seeds we depend on.The Fernie Community EcoGarden
has been holding spring seed swaps annually since 2006. We are
now
visioning a new program for creating a Seed Bank in Fernie that
would be accessible to gardeners year-round. It would be stocked,
just as our seed swap event is, with seeds grown by gardeners in
the Elk Valley from favourite and heritage varieties that have
adapted to our climate.
In recent years the global food system has focused on an
ever-narrowing selection of food varieties. Many time-tested and
reliable varieties have been neglected, and they are becoming
harder to find. Today we only grow about 10 per cent of the food
varieties that are actually available to us, dangerously reducing
the genetic diversity of our food supply. Consolidation in the seed
industry by large agrochemical companies is further reducing our
ability to access and grow a diversity of food crops.
Stop by the EcoGarden Seed Swap tables at the Library on Earth
Day to learn more about seed biodiversity, accessing locally grown
seeds, and how you can become involved with growing and preserving
locally grown seeds.
Food ForestsBy Dawn Deydey
Food Forest site being prepped by reGenerate Design in Forest
Lawn, Calgary, AB.
Photo byreGenerate Design
Is it possible that humans can design and plant a garden that
functions as a forest, providing us with food and medicine while
becoming largely self-maintaining and helping regenerate the
environment?It is! This doesnt involve a group of gnomes running
around the forest
fertilizing, weeding, and watering so how do forest systems
perform this work all on their own?
Put simply the answer is that forests are interconnected
ecosystems where the needs of the various members of the ecosystem
are met by what the other members produce, allowing the system to
take care of itself.
Much like natural forests, food forests build healthy soil,
sequester carbon, harvest and store rainwater, and provide a
multitude of habitats that benefit birds, insects, and other
wildlife, all while providing humans with locally grown, organic
food.
The Wildsight Elk Valley Branch recently brought Lindsay Meads
and Luke Kimmel from reGenerate Design in Calgary to host multiple
Food Forest events where residents learned how to create a garden
that looks remarkably like a forest.
Although this type of garden looks remarkably like a forest, it
isnt exactly a forest Its an intelligently designed edible forest
garden aka food forest that is modeled after natural forest
ecosystems making it more resilient, low maintenance, sustainable,
and beneficial to the surrounding environment than conventional
gardens, landscaping, and agriculture.
Check out the next Wild Ideas event hosted monthly at Infinitea
by the Wildsight Elk Valley branch. Join the Wildsight Elk Valley
Facebook group to learn more.