Spec Annual Report 2015

spec annual report 2015

1 TABLE OF CONTENTS

About Us 3 Projects and Campaigns 2015 13 Letter from Members of the Board 4 Events and Outreach 2015 30 2015 SPEC Highlights 5 Financial Highlights 2015 31 SPEC in the City 6 Be Part of SPEC and Sustainable Cities 32 The SPEC Family 7

spec.bc.ca 2305 West 7th Avenue Vancouver, BC V6K 1Y4 [email protected] 604-736-7732 ABOUT US

SPEC builds capacity within local communities to make behaviour changes that advance urban sustainability. SPEC also promotes policies that enhance resilience and protect our environment for present and future generations. Our focus is to develop practical solutions through education, outreach, advocacy, and research, with the help of the following committees and initiatives. Energy & Transportation Committee (p. 16) }}Promotes energy conservation and the use of renewable energy }}Advocates for sustainable transportation Food & Environment Committee (p. 20) }}Helps build a more sustainable and resilient local food system }}Helps protect our brown, green, and blue spaces Zero Waste Committee (p. 28) }}Promotes practices that lead to waste reduction Sustainability for Businesses (p. 30) }}Helps businesses and organizations engage in activities that incorporate sustainability principles Founded in 1969, the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) is a non- profit charitable organization that addresses environmental issues in British Columbia, with a particular focus on urban communities. We achieve our goals through partnerships with other community organizations and with the support of our members, donors, staff, sponsors, and volunteers.

3 Letter from the MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

or SPEC, 2015 was a very good year and, In August, Rob Baxter stepped down and in the words of one director, 2016 will Carole Christopher stepped in as President. Fbe great! We’re delighted to be in the newly In November, we promoted Oliver Lane to renovated Kitsilano Neighbourhood House, Executive Director. further cementing our relationship with this We end the year on the optimism of an outstanding community partner. Visionary ideas and energy are bubbling up international agreement to limit global tem- and the board is committed to three new perature rise to 2°C. To be sure, that is not On April 23, we celebrated our 45th an- projects in 2016: ambitious enough to forestall serious conse- quences. But, at last, we are realizing the tre- niversary with a large and successful party }} that featured “SPEC Through the Ages,” an Complete a process of reviewing our vi- mendous opportunity to rebuild our energy illustrated history of SPEC campaigns, pro- sion, mandate, and working plan to take infrastructure in a manner that is sustainable grams, and projects also found at www.spec. us into the 50th Anniversary in 2019. and respectful of future generations. Much work lies ahead for governments and civil bc.ca/what-we-do. We had also compiled }} a list of over 100 people from the 1969-99 Nurture a SPEC Elders Circle to advise society to make our COP 21 (Paris confer- SPEC era and successfully contacted about the board and to develop an Environmen- ence) commitments a reality. SPEC’s work is half of them. Thirty “old timers” then joined tal Elders Engagement Initiative program clear, and we invite you to be part of this as a the celebration to remember and reconnect that will support seniors to reclaim their member/donor/volunteer—whatever form and were inspired by the energy and com- elder wisdom role and help society come works best for you. Your support guarantees mitment of the present generation. Current to grips with our climate legacy. SPEC can continue to work for you in the community. and new volunteers were, in turn, inspired }} by the venerable history of past decades. Dismantle our own mental legacy of colonization that inflicts so much pain on In mid-year, we combined six areas of work First Nations in Canada. The Board has into three committees, offering more coher- committed to study reconciliation mate- ence and fewer meetings: Energy & Trans- rials over the next 12-18 months and will portation, Food & Environment (combining assess how to employ this knowledge in land & water with food), and Zero Waste. relation to First Nations in the future. 4 Launched, in collaboration with SPEC HIGHLIGHTS 2015 leaders of the waste management industry, the first edition of the School Gardens Program Vancouver Master Recycler delivered Program, a zero waste school 272 food garden lessons to for 27 adult participants. 68 classrooms in 11 schools across Vancouver, Co-hosted 13 weekly food markets reaching over 1,600 students. with Kitsilano Neighbourhood House, which connected local food growers and food makers to local consumers, First video episode of SPEC’s and contributed over $22,000 to Zero Fossil Fuels Campaign Vancouver’s green economy. was presented Launched the pilot year for the Sustainable Communities Field School program, in partnership with the UBC Botanical Garden, in which staff from Over 130 adults participated in 5 Vancouver businesses and community SPEC’s Urban Farmer Field organizations participated in outdoor team School classes and Go Solar building sustainability sessions. tours

ONLINE HIGHLIGHTS 40,000 page views of SPEC’s website, from 10,000 different users in 2015 j 3,000 people reached with SPECtrum, our monthly newsletter 1,300 followers on Facebook and Over 3,500 hours donated to SPEC j 720 on Twitter 23,000 total visits to our SPEC Demonstration Gar- by volunteers in our community. j dens blog—specgardens.blogspot.ca j 5,800 total visits to our SPEC School Gardens blog—specschoolgardensproject.blogspot.ca 5 In 2015, SPEC cultivated 14 community food markets, 11 school gardens, 1 beach clean up, SPEC in the City 1 communal food garden, and 1 solar power installation. We delivered dozens of workshops, classes and tours on topics related to food, energy, waste and water, engaging children, youth, adults, and businesses in sustainability.

6 THE SPEC FAMILY

7 COMMUNITY STARS OF 2015

With the help of their time, energy, ideas, hard work, and financial support, SPEC and its family continues to thrive.

As the bedrock of financial security for SPEC, donor contributions allow us to plan and carry out our important activities. We feel your support on a daily basis, and it’s impossible to overstate how much that means to us. A big thank you to all of our donors. To acknowledge our appreciation for the variety of ways people give, when people make a donation, they will have the option to be listed in our future annual report, as Monthly Donors, Annual Donors $500-$1,500, Annual Donors $250-$499, or Annual Donors $20-$249.

This year we pay special tribute to the following donors, theAcme Delivery Company and the Millard & Gow-Jarrett Family, who made significant contributions to SPEC; in the fall, several of our monthly donors stepped forward to put together a special matching fund for our Fall Fundraising Drive; and among our annual donors, some people also gave their time and talents to special board projects. We’re especially grateful to Chloe Gow-Jarrett for leading us in a process of clarifying and renewing our vision, mission, and organizational values as we move towards a strategic plan to guide us to our 50th Anniversary in 2019 and beyond.

We’d like to give special recognition to four SPEC Board members who have served at least a decade: Carole Christopher, Dan Rogers, Rob Baxter, and Tara Moreau. All have served terms as SPEC President and have given legions of support in a variety of other ways that are invaluable to the 8 board. We thank them for their leadership. board of directors

Board of Directors 2015 Carole Christopher President Rob Baxter Past President Kiersten Enemark Secretary Shawn Weber Treasurer Dan Rogers Interim Treasurer Art Bomke Director Dominic Maggiolo Director Ivan Cheung Director Jessica Frank Director Kate Menzies Director Tara Moreau Director Tova Plashkes Director Thank you to Dominic Maggiolo, Rob Baxter, and Shawn Weber for their contributions to the Board in 2015. Rob also stepped down as Chair of the Energy Committee but will continue to share his expertise with them. We wish Dominic, Rob, and Shawn all the best.

Special Thanks to Carole, Dan, Rob, and Tara for their many years of hard work and service to the SPEC Board!

9 STAFF

Oliver Lane Nikoo Boroumand Karla Olson Executive Director School Garden Coordinator Operations Assistant Oliver was appointed ED in November. This was Nikoo’s second year as SPEC’s Karla was hired in October to be our He has been with us for three years and School Garden Coordinator. She is Operations Assistant. We welcome Karla has quickly grown into the substantially greatly loved by the children and ad- who will be supporting SPEC in the areas increased responsibilities of an ED. mired by teachers, administrators, and of communications, administration, and With increased staff support in the parents engaged with the program. outreach. office, Oliver will devote more time to oversight, support for committees, and fund development. We’re excited and looking forward very much to his SPEC INTERNS leadership and guidance. Additionally, in 2015 we had three interns working on specific projects over the summer: Michelle Zhong Westside Community Food Market and Urban Farmer Field School Jacqueline Craig Climate Change workshops and other outreach initiatives Emily Yungwirth School Gardens Program 10 VOLUNTEERS

SPEC is largely a volunteer run organiza- Leadership Team: Emmanuelle and Tara tion. Due to their immense and amazing Food & Environment Committee: work, they, along with members of the board, • Art donated over 3,500 hours to SPEC. Devoted Bomke, Carole Christopher, Gaik Beng volunteers guide and carry out the work proj- Khoo, Kate Menzies, Nikoo Boroumand, ects of our committees and assist in a variety Oliver Lane, and Tara Moreau. of office/fundraising activities that allow us to Leadership Team: Art, Kate, and Tara do our SPECtacular work with a surprisingly • Zero Waste Committee: Addison Lani- small amount of money. er, Angie Nicolas, Carol Cohen, Caroline • Admin, Fund Development, and Coudreau, Daniel Rotman, Derek Leung, Communication Volunteers: Amelia Emily McGill, Eyal Lebel, Ivan Cheung, Jac- Hohenadel, Anastasia Koutalianos, Carey quie Rolston, Maya Tatuch, Richard Drake, Lee, Carole Christopher, Dan Rogers, Dawn and Syd Portner. Allen, Emelie Crumbaker, Jessica Frank, Leadership Team: Angie, Daniel, Emily, Kate Menzies, Karl Lam, Kyle Hunter, Lisa and Eyal Rilkoff, Margaret Miller, and Nicole Ten- • Sustainability for Businesses Team: nison Tara Moreau (UBC Botanical Garden / • Energy & Transportation SPEC), Oliver Lane (SPEC), and Sara Blenk- Committee: Amelia Hohenadel, Bob horn (Future Strategies) Dynes, Carey Ditmars, Dorothy Bootle, Acknowledgement: Thank you to all the other Elizabeth Mosier, Emily Chan, Emmanuelle volunteers and community members that Davis, Garth Jones, Ivan Cheung, Jacque- helped out at our outreach events, Westside line Craig, Kaveh Esmaeili, Maïa Bérangère, Above: Zero Waste Committee Community Food Market, beach cleanups, Mary Cleaver, Oliver Lane, Rob Baxter, Rola Below: Energy and Transportation Committee and our 45th anniversary party. Nasreddine, Ruth Briggs, Sara Blenkhorn, Stephanie Von Dehn, Sukn Gill, Suzanne Goldberg, Tara Chandra, Teddy Courteaux, Thomas Williams, Xavier Deschênes- Philion. 11 our community partners and supporters

SPEC is a collaborative organization. Internally, we work within and across our theme committees. Externally, we build partnerships that bring community resources together to pursue local sustainability. To celebrate our community partnerships, we would like to express our appreciation to our partners and financial supporters for working with us.

Please join us in giving a SPECtacular thank you to the following organizations:

Ace Accounting and Tax Services John Norquay Elementary School UBC Botanical Garden Acme Delivery Company parent volunteers UBC Faculty of Land and Food Systems – Banyen Books & Sound Kitsilano Neighbourhood House TEGS Brock Junction After-School Care Program Kiwassa Neighbourhood House UBC Faculty of Psychology BC Hydro Luluelmon Athletica - the metta movement UBC - IRES Bullfrog Power Metro Vancouver Vancity City of Vancouver Mountain Equipment Coop (MEC) Vancouver Food Policy Council C & C BSI Holdings Ltd Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions Vancouver Foundation David Suzuki Foundation (PICS) Vancouver School Food Network (VSFN) Earth Island Institute Pollination Project Vancouver Renewable Energy Coop Future Strategies Redemption Church Vancouver School Board Gaia Green Simon Fraser University Vancouver Schools Government of British Columbia Sitka Foundation Village Vancouver Government of Canada Surfrider Foundation West Coast Seeds Hamber Foundation TD Friends of the Environment Whole Foods Market: Kitsilano and Home Depot Foundation Robson stores HSBC Canada Telus Whole Kids Foundation Hudson Out-Of-School Care Thunderbird After-School Care Program 12 PROJECTS & Campaigns 2015

Energy & Transportation Committee 14 Food & Environment Committee 18 Zero Waste Committee 26 Sustainability for Businesses 28 PROJECTS & ENERGY & Campaigns Transportation 2015 Committee PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS IN THE COMMUNITY, ACTION ON THE GROUND — Committee Members — Community Support: A big thank Amelia Hohenadel, Bob Dynes, you to BC Hydro, Bullfrog Power, Earth Carey Ditmars, Dorothy Bootle, Island Institute, Hamber Foundation, HSBC Elizabeth Mosier, Emily Chan, Canada, MEC, Pollination Project, TD Emmanuelle Davis, Garth Jones, Friends of the Environment Foundation and Ivan Cheung, Jacqueline Craig, Vancouver Renewable Energy Cooperative Kaveh Esmaeili, Maïa Bérangère, for funding and supporting the Zero Fossil Mary Cleaver, Oliver Lane, Fuels Campaign, the Go Solar Tours and Rob Baxter, Rola Nasreddine, the Climate Change Workshops at School. Ruth Briggs, Sara Blenkhorn, Stephanie Von Dehn, Sukn Gill, Suzanne Goldberg, Tara Chandra, Teddy Courteaux, Thomas Williams, & Xavier Deschênes-Philion

— LEADERSHIP TEAM — Emmanuelle and Tara 14 climate Change Workshops

in Schools tion a

Plans for 2016: The Energy Committee created an action plan that in- Facilitation Team: Amelia Hohenadel, Jacqueline cludes six key objectives: communication, networking, zero fossil fuels, leading Craig, Liz Mosier, Stephanie Von Dehn, and Thomas edge research, grants research, and evaluation. Williams nsport a

One of our goals is to expand our networks with other environmental organiza- Purpose: During this two-hour workshop, students tr tions, to build relationships for future collaboration on projects and to identify learn about the science of climate change and existing key influencers to submit proposals. We are also developing our strategies to solutions. Students engage in a group decision-making further enhance and promote the Zero Fossil Fuels campaign, with the aim of process in which they must prioritize strategies and

making concrete proposals that can reduce 52% of natural gas in buildings and actions to reduce carbon emissions in their community & nergy 36% of gas light vehicles, as well as help lead cities and communities toward a or city. The outcome is a deeper understanding of why E lower energy and carbon footprint. we need to cut carbon emissions, how we can achieve emissions reductions locally and globally, and what are the Committee members are looking into new and existing technologies used opportunities, challenges, and trade-offs involved in group around the world that could be promoted in Vancouver. New smart thermostats decision-making processes. are one way to reduce energy usage in our homes. Members are currently deter- mining which technology is best and trying to find a way to get them into more HIGHLIGHTS: 10 workshops, with 260 student Vancouver homes. The team is also researching ways that our energy sources participants, presented at Kitsilano Secondary, Killarney can be diversified by the addition of wind or geothermal electrical sources. Secondary, Templeton Secondary, and Point Gray Secondary 15 tion Go Solar Tours a tion a

TEAM: Rob Baxter and Elizabeth Mosier The main topics of the tours What I liked best about the nsport ran the 2015 series with support from include: a tour was meeting people with nsport Vancouver Renewable Energy Cooperative a }}Myths and realities of solar energy in BC common interests. tr members and SPEC admin and interns. The “ d }}

tr Identifying the different types of solar

n format for the program was first piloted in 2014. energy systems My aha moment was learn- }}Components that make up common solar ing that the costs of solar Purpose: Educate the public on solar energy systems panels are only 20–30% of

& nergy energy.

a nergy } “ } E Costs and savings of these systems start-up costs. E }} HIGHLIGHTS: Making your home/building solar ready } — Program Participants, Go Solar Tours 5 tours were run from April to August }How solar energy systems are integrated into a building 80 people in total participated }}How to move away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy

16 zero fossil fuels

campaign tion a

Team: Amelia Hohenadel, Bob Dynes, Activities: The award winning video, *Special thanks to Emily Chan who Carey Ditmars, Dorothy Bootle, Elizabeth SPEC's Zero Fossil Fuels Campaign— spearheaded the production of this nsport

Mosier, Emily Chan, Emmanuelle Davis, Episode 1*, focuses on North Vancouver award winning video for the Zero a Garth Jones, Ivan Cheung, Jacqueline Craig, resident, Doug Horn, who has taken major Fossil Fuels Campaign. Maïa Bérangère, Mary Cleaver, Oliver Lane, energy conservation steps at home to source tr Rob Baxter, Rola Nasreddine, Ruth Briggs, all his electricity from on-site renewable HIGHLIGHTS: Sara Blenkhorn, Stephanie Von Dehn, Sukn sources. The episode highlights the technol- 1 of 5 BC Hydro Community Champion Gill, Suzanne Goldberg, Tara Chandra, ogy Doug has incorporated into his home, $10,000 Teddy Courteaux, Thomas Williams such as PV solar panels, as well as behavioral contest winners with a prize of & nergy E changes he has made to conserve energy. YouTube Link: Purpose: The Campaign highlights prac- Despite the changes, Doug lives in a typical tical solutions, both technological and be- home with all the amenities of modern day https://goo.gl/yO1PKF havioral, that are already widely used around living. His story showcases one aspect of liv- the world to eliminate the need for fossil ing a zero fossil fuel lifestyle. fuels. By raising awareness and educating people about the issues related to fossil fuel This video is a summary of a longer episode in our community, we support 100% renew- and the first in a series of episodes showcas- able energy and greatly diversified transpor- ing local residents taking significant steps to tation options in our city and region. reduce their dependency on fossil fuels. 17 FOOD & ENVIRONMENT Committee

CAMBIE SQUARE tion a COMMUNAL GARDEN

— Committee Members — Team: Andrea Sherrington, Hisayo Saito, We received a Greenest City Neighbour- Art Bomke, Carole Christopher, Ima Moreno, Leanna Knowles, Michelle hood Small Grant to create a pollinator nsport a Gaik Beng Khoo, Kate Menzies, Wang, Monica Dempsky, Nikoo Boroumand, corridor in our garden, and we gave a Paris Chen, and Sybrena Albright workshop on building bird houses and bee

tr Nikoo Boroumand, Oliver Lane,

d condos. The workshop was full and well-re- n & Tara Moreau Coordinator: Gaik Beng Khoo ceived, with everyone taking home either a bird box or a bee condo for their residence. Activities: We had a good start to this Seeds were donated by Westcoast Seeds. — Leadership team — year’s season, recruiting 10 new volunteers Art, Kate, and Tara Plans for 2016: a nergy to our team who met regularly on Sunday The garden will start E mornings to plant, tend, and harvest. We col- up again in February when we’ll meet to lectively volunteered 600 hours over the year. plan for the next season. It's nearly a decade We grew a variety of cool and warmer season since this garden began and some general vegetables, along with herbs and flowers. The repairs or replacement of garden boxes and drought lessened our tomato and raspberry trellises are needed. We'll be looking for yield compared to last year despite more funds or in kind donations to get lumber frequent watering by volunteers. and then to plan a building party. New volunteers are most welcome.

18 Connect with us! specgardens.blogspot.ca | [email protected] SPEC SCHOOL GARDENS PROGRAM

Staff: Nikoo Boroumand ties were held at the schools to celebrate their attitudes towards healthy food had the bounty from their school gardens. changed, as a result of our collaboration. Purpose: This program connects chil- The results showed that students, who dren with their food, each other, nature, This year we also obtained funding to print obtain regular food and garden lessons

and their community, by integrating gar- and distribute copies of our garden cur- throughout the year, have an improved ENVIRONMENT dening and healthy food education into the riculum package, called Green Thumbs at understanding of food literacy, garden- regular classroom curriculum. We believe School: SPEC Food Garden Lesson Book, ing, and healthy food, as well as improved & D that school gardens inspire and empower to our partnering schools. We hope this attitudes towards healthy eating. the next generation to contribute to healthi- information will support teachers to deliver FOO er and more sustainable communities. garden-related lessons to their classrooms directly. This curriculum is also accessible Activities: Now in its eighth year, to the public through the SPEC website. I like the school garden the program has expanded from 8 Van- couver schools to 11, reaching over 1600 Additional Activities 2014/15: because I like to take care of students. During the 2014/15 school year, During the school year, a pre- and post- “plants and watch them grow. we delivered 272 garden, nutrition, com- garden lesson survey was conducted in posting, and other related lessons to 68 some of the classrooms to measure how — Grade 4 student, John Norquay classrooms. In June 2015, six harvest par- much students learned and how much Elementary School

Connect with us! specgardens.blogspot.ca | [email protected] 19 FOOD and ENVIRONMENT FOOD & Environment 20 } } } } } } } } } } } schools: to the following andgardeneducation food C “ } } } } } } } } } } } ommun (pilot in the 2015/16 school year) year) (pilot in the 2015/16 school Tillicum Community Annex Thunderbird Elementary Sir Wilfred Grenfell Community School Elementary Elizabeth Queen L'Ecole Bilingue School Secondary Kitsilano year) inthe 2014/15school (new John Norquay Elementary School Hudson Elementary Henry Elementary Brock General year) (pilot inthe 2015/16school School Secondary Britannia Community School Bayview opportunity. for you this all Thank exciting garden. school community this proud be of building were tocan they say that apart theyhave themselves.what grown They firsthand see can they because activities garden our to forward look students Myinto scienceour curriculum. fitperfectly that lessons G ardens Program. N Program. ardens — Cathy Walls, Teacher, Henry Hudson Elementary School Elementary Hudson Teacher, Henry Walls, — Cathy This is my second school year as part of the SPEC of the School my is second school part This as year ity P a r t ne r s : SPEC brings SPECbrings ikoo has many fun and informative informative and fun many ikoo has Vancouver Food Network(VSFN); School the Program; @Schools Green and Eat UBC’s Think schools; at ourpartnering pals - andprinci staff, teachers, support parents, including dedicated garden champions, community ofschool anamazing alongside areunteers andstaff fortunate to work C Emily Yungwirth. thewithout work ofoursummerintern, possible wouldnothave been achievements Their the the from harvest. bounty enjoyed to maintain the gardensand helped cares day school Students several months. from through the summer andgrowing vibrant gardensto remain school helped also A omm ck n owledg un Su ity n eme ppo r t t : Our program program Our : SPECvol- - I like the school garden because you get to eat the “vegetables when they are fully grown. We share every plant with the entire school.

— Grade 3 student, John Norquay Elementary School

}} Vancouver School Board; Kiwassa Neigh- Lululemon Athletica – the metta movement } bourhood House; Redemption Church; }Millard & Gow-Jarrett Family Brock Junction After-School Care Program; }}School parents Thunderbird After-School Care Program; }}SPEC individual donors ENVIRONMENT and Hudson Out-Of-School Care. }}TD Friends of the Environment Foundation

}}Telus & D Funding Support: We would like to }}UBC Faculty of Land and Food Systems: thank the funders that supported SPEC's FOO Think & Eat Green @ School School Gardens Program: }}UBC Botanical Garden }}Acme Delivery Company }}West Coast Seeds }}BC Gaming Community Grant }}Whole Foods Market }}BC Hydro Community Champions Pro- }}Whole Kids Foundation gram }}Canada Summer Jobs Grant (Fed. Gov) Follow us! }} Canadian Tire (Bentall St.) specschoolgardensproject.blogspot.ca }}Gaia Green Products Ltd. instagram.com/specschoolgardens }}Home Depot 21 Plans for 2015/16: SPEC has HIGHLIGHTS: committed to continue the gardening 16 lesson topics offered program with the three newest schools, 44 all identified as “high needs schools” in garden beds grown Vancouver. We are aiming at employing 68 teachers and classrooms an additional teacher in order to have the involved capacity to respond to the growing demand 272 lessons taught for school gardens, particularly in high 1632 needs schools. We would like to respond students involved to every classroom in every school that wants to bring food and garden education to their students. We require additional funding to support this new position and appreciate your help in doing that. nvironment ENVIRONMENT d

E SPEC has gone above and beyond our n expectations in assisting us with our food garden. & D a D “Over the dry summer months, SPEC provided an

FOO intern to assist in watering and planting more FOO seeds in our garden. SPEC also gave us a copy of their Food Garden Lesson Book, which is an excellent resource for teachers to use with their : GREEN THUMBS AT SCHOOL classes. We are very grateful to be one of the SPEC FOOD GARDEN LESSON BOOK schools working with SPEC!

— Valeria Kao, Parent, John Norquay Elementary School

22 KNH & SPEC WESTSIDE community food market

Volunteers: Amelia Hohenadel, September) the corner of 7th Ave and Vine Funders: Thank you to the City of Van- Belinda Yang, Charlie Zhu, Chris Kay, in Kitsilano was alive with music, local couver and Vancity for funding the market Cole Dudley, Erik Andersen, Greg Jung, produce, baked goods, roasted nuts, cajeta and to Whole Foods Market Kitsilano for Jacqueline Craig, Katherine Allen, Keelih (Mexican style caramel) and more. Every donating coffee, tea, and fruit for lem- ENVIRONMENT Yu, Kimmy Sy, Margaret Miller, Pauline week, 120–200 customers, 14 vendors and onades for market visitors, vendors, and

Helmke, Tabitha Brubacher, Sally Speers, several community organizations, and art- volunteers. & D Sarah Chu, and Sean Joe. ists made the summer market a colourful

spot for connecting, tasting, and learning. Acknowledgement: Thank you also FOO Staff: Oliver Lane, Sarah Lone (Kits to all our vendors, who worked hard to of- House), and Michelle Zhong As a small-scale public farmers' market, it fer their best products to our community, supported the local economy, generating and to Kitsilano Neighbourhood House for Activities: For five years, Kits House over $22,000 in revenues for vendors (up partnering with us to run this great pro- and SPEC have collaborated to organize the 10% from last year). As in previous years, gram. A big thank you goes to this season’s West Side Community Market. The goal of we offered coupons (about $600) to support volunteer team and staff, as well as to our the market is to increase community access access to local food for families with low community organizations and members. to local food, growers, and food makers. incomes. Every Thursday from 3–7 PM, (July through

23 2015 Vendors and Product:

Cherry Lane Farms Produce Cherry on a Bike Baked Goods Edible Treasurz Roasted Almonds and Salad Dressings Frisch Community Urban Farms Produce The Good Loaf Bread Green Gardens Produce J'adore les Macarons Macarons Judith Jelly Black Currant Jelly The Lemon Square Baked Goods Nut Hut Nuts Original Mexican Gourmet Mexican Style Caramel, Cajeta nvironment ENVIRONMENT d E Sea Tilth Produce n Shady Acre Farm Produce & D a D Yummy Yards Produce FOO FOO HIGHLIGHTS: Community Organizations: 13 weekly markets + one Autumn Fair Kits Plastic Recycling and Village $22,000 in total seasonal sales Vancouver $92,000 in total sales 2011 to 2015 Community Participants: Between 120 and 200 customers every Musicians Donald G. Adams and week Fraser River Ramblers $600 in coupons for members of our community with lower incomes 24 2015 Vendors and Product:

J'adore les Macarons Macarons FIELD SCHOOL Photo credit: "downstairs container garden" by Kate Fries (via Flickr) Judith Jelly Black Currant Jelly Team: Oliver Lane, Michelle Zhong, and Facilitators: For 2015, SPEC enlisted The Lemon Square Baked Goods Tara Moreau these local experts to teach the classes: Rob Nut Hut Nuts Baxter, Scott Bell, Dr. Jose, Celedon, Caitlin Activities: URBAN AGRICULTURE COURSES Original Mexican Gourmet Mexican Style Caramel, Cajeta In 2015, SPEC partnered Dorward, Alisha Hackinen, Sonja Hebert, 2015 URBAN AGRICULTURE COURSES with Kitsilano Neighbourhood House to Norm Kaethler, and Dr. Tara Moreau. MARCH 2015 JUNE

Sea Tilth Produce YOUR FOOD GARDEN: ENVIRONMENT host the 4th season of the Urban Farmer DESIGN AND PLANNING PLANT PROTECTION & PEST MANAGEMENT Shady Acre Farm Produce Field School. This program continues to APRIL & D WATER MANAGEMENT

offer food growing and food making classes GROW ORGANIC FOOD Yummy Yards Produce CANNING to the public. Since it began, the school IN SMALL SPACES FOO INTRODUCTION TO SOILS JULY has delivered 60 classes to over 400 people. URBAN FORAGING SOLAR GREENHOUSES BEE KEEPING The most popular classes in 2015 were CLIMATE CHANGE

Urban Foraging, Growing Food in Small GARDEN TOUR SEPTEMBER DETOXIFY YOUR CANNING (ADVANCED) Spaces, Beekeeping, Solar Greenhouses, GARDEN ORGANICALLY SOLAR GREENHOUSES Garden Planning and Design, Canning, MAY OCTOBER GROWING FOOD IN and Growing Food in a Changing Climate: SMALL SPACES FRUIT TREE PRUNING Planning for Drought & Heat Tolerance (in URBAN FORAGING spec.bc.ca/uffs partnership with UBC Botanical Garden The Urban Farmer Field School is a project of: FOR COURSE DESCRIPTIONS, REGISTRATION, AND TUITION INFORMATION: and the Vancouver Urban Farming Society). in partnership with: spec.bc.ca/uffs

with support

from:

Kitsilano 25 FOOD and ENVIRONMENT Mwandermere, Irene Fornaguera Carol Cohen, Caroline Coudreau, 26 — C Emily McG ill, Eyal Lebel, Henry Ivan Cheung, Jacquie Rolston, Angie, Daniel, Emily andEyal Daniel Rotman, Derek Leung, Maya Tatuch, Richard Drake, Koutalianos, AngieNicolas, — L Addison Lanier, Anastasia Shona Lam&SydPortner M ommittee e C ad ommittee WA te ership ZERO STE — embers

a m —

to continue their community outreach. andare encouraged Recyclers Master Certified become participants completed their hours, have Whenthey orstrata. neighbourhood their andeducating projects, and recycling andimplementing reduction designing waste events, booths at staffing outreach, such as 30hoursdoingcommunity to spend guided are Once completed, participants trainingis facilities. recycling and processing waste to local fieldwith trips industry, the from along feature waste experts through anextensive course that eight week andcomposting recycling, prevention, waste A economy. inacircular decisions anddisposal purchases informationby providing to make educated at homeandat to reducewaste work, gies Pur Emily McGill, andEyal Lebel T M progr : eam ctivities A pose STER RECYCLER STER

Angie Nicolas, Daniel Rotman, Nicolas, Angie a : To train Vancouverites onstrate - m : Master Recyclers are trained in are trained Recyclers Master Vancity. and House, Neighbourhood Kitsilano Canada, HSBC donors through SPEC, C “ — Master Recycler Program Recycler — Master knowledge. of clearly ahugethat has wealth more agroup from hearing look to forward Ialso and of pilot projects, part being don'twell, or can't. Ilove forpassion atopic many, that who a tribe’ share ‘trash omm www.masterrecyclervancouver.ca L participant ea I was excitedI was to find my un rn Mo rn Su ity r e: ppo r t Individual : Individual OUTREACH EE

Activities: Recycling and composting update the Green to Go research report

workshop for Kitsilano Neighbourhood and develop the second phase of restaurant ommi T t House staff and seniors group, Zero Waste outreach, launch Just Ask and Change Club started by one of our volunteers the Default social media campaigns, (Jacquie), table exhibitor at Earth Day coordinate a week of events around Metro and at Car Free Day, training of waste Vancouver’s 2016 Zero Waste Conference, station volunteers at Car Free Day, plastic and launch a master recycler inspired bag monster demonstrations at different weekly show at Vancouver Co-Op Radio. C ste Wa ero

locations, participation in Roundhouse Z Radio Station show, sitting on the UBC/ Metro Vancouver Working Group for Multi-Family Food Waste and two National Zero Waste Council working groups. Plans for 2016: Modify the Master Recycler Course into independent modules that can be tailored to specific audiences, develop service offering for Master Recycler, continue to do outreach at public events, Plastic Bag Monster Costume, designed by Jacquie Rolston. 27 Sustainability for BusinessES

Sustainable communities FIELD SCHOOL EE

A partnership between SPEC, UBC Botanical can help lead the global shift to a Garden, UBC Faculty of Psychology and UBC- greener economy and make Vancouver ommit IRES. and BC bright green communities.

Leadership Team: Jiaying Zhao, Oliver Community Support: A huge thank ste C Lane, and Tara Moreau you to our funders, the Sitka Foundation and the Millard & Gow-Jarret Family, for Student Team: Austin Lee, David making this program possible! Geselbracht, Evan Thompson, Leanne Zeng, ero Wa

Z and Paula Martinez HIGHLIGHTS: 5 Purpose: Pilot year hosted organizations and over This program engages businesses 100 employees and community organizations, who help Top discussion topics: water conser- form the backbone of our communities, food forests by combining team-building activities vation, local security, zero waste and stimulating nature experiences with conservation, and . sustainability principals. Together with their entrepreneurial resources and human capital, businesses and community organizations

28 ES Leverage Lab

Team: Sara Blenkhorn, from Future Activities: SPEC became a partner usiness Strategies and former SPEC Director, in this innovative project in 2015 and Collaboration is the key to

created this project. Tara Moreau and helped secure funding from the Greenest larger success. B or Oliver Lane from SPEC provided support City Grant (City of Vancouver and “ for the development and management of Vancouver Foundation). On October 22, the program this year. 53 CEOs in the textiles and hospitality Leverage Lab is an industries came together to push the bility F

Purpose: a The Leverage Lab aims boundaries of their sustainable business amazing tool for collaborative at helping businesses maintain their practices. This marked the kick off of a in competitive edge, harness the power of “efforts within an industry. a six-month incubation project known as working together, and streamline the Leverage Lab Collaboratives. The event ust process of making authentic, meaningful was hosted in collaboration with THNK S change. Whether it’s upcoming policy School of Creative Leadership and Design, changes, new regulations, or a social shift Vancouver Economic Commission, that changes customer demand, businesses Tourism Vancouver, SPEC, Greenest City often face shared circumstances—but tend Fund, Vancouver Foundation, and Future to tackle sustainability challenges on their Strategies. own.

29 SPEC events and Events MONTH SPEC's 45th Anniversary Celebration April outreach Earth Day Celebration April Feeding the 5K May SPEC’s staff and volunteers are continually Car Free Day on Main Street June involved in communicating our message to members of our community and listening Jericho Beach Cleanup for World Oceans Day June to their concerns. This year we succeeded in SPEC Volunteer Appreciation Picnic June taking part in a number of events while con- Westside Community Food Market July to September tinuing to carry out workshops for our pro- usiness grams in energy & transportation, food & the Day at the Farm September environment, and zero waste. Here are some All-Candidates Meeting for Vancouver Quadra October B or of the 2015 events and workshops we either participated in or organized: Apple Fest at the UBC Botanical Garden October Coffee Cup Revolution October

bility F Kits House Autumn Fair October a Vancouver Soil Celebration at City Hall December in a SPEC AGM and Year-End Party December ust S workshops and tours amount

Go Solar Tours 5 tours: July, August, September Urban Farmer Field School classes 8 classes: March to October School Gardens Program classes 68 classes reached with 272 lessons: delivered during the school year

30 Financial highlights 2015 REVENUE

SPEC continues its effort to diversify and strengthen its financial position. SPEC is investing more resources in fund development, with the goal of growing revenue for projects and providing more stability to our core activities.

Total revenue for Fiscal Year 2015: $131,000

Total expenses for Fiscal Year 2015: $128,000

Program Spending

EXPENSES

31 Be Part of VOLUNTEER DONATE • BECOME A VOLUNTEER Individual donations make our activi- SPEC and Volunteers play an important role in all ties possible. Your gifts are also the most our accomplishments, and we are eager to sustainable way to fund our work, as they connect with people who are motivated make us less vulnerable to the fluctuating Sustainable to make a positive impact on our urban availability of government and foundation environment. grants for our community activities. We Cities hope that you can support SPEC and your Here are some opportunities that might community. Please remember, no donation interest you and benefit your community: is too small. hands on urban food gardening, beach For 46 years, people cleanups, teaching, researching issues, • Monthly Donations outreach at community events, fundraising, The most effective way to support our in our community helping with sustainability tours, belonging projects is to become a monthly donor. As to a committee, you name it! a monthly donor, you are providing impor- have supported tant ongoing support, and it can be as big or small as you like to fit your budget. And SPEC with their of course, you can stop whenever you want or need to. time, friendship, LEARN }} Take SPEC Out for Lunch and enthusiasm, as • Take Part in our Activities A monthly donation, for example, can equal Engage with people who share a passion for the same amount as going for lunch on the well as financially. the environment and local sustainability. weekend with your friends, or family, at Attend our workshops and participate in your favourite restaurant. By treating SPEC our activities, learn about sustainability, to lunch, you can donate about $25/month share your own knowledge and experiences, to help support education programs in your and meet new people. community or school. Too busy for lunch? Feel free to treat us to a latte instead. 32 DONATE (cont.) 2 NEW WAYS TO HOW TO Automatic monthly donations help us GIVE & INVEST IN reduce our time and costs, use less paper and put more of your money directly into YOUR COMMUNITY GIVE supporting SPEC’s core work. Go online to Canada Helps, a secure, online charity 1 Become a Matching Donor donation service, to set up your monthly Some donors feel more connected and gift with us, or contact us directly for other valued when they see their donation being Online options. A charitable tax receipt is provided matched by another person in their com- for all donations above $10. munity. To take part, pledge to donate up Donations can be made through our website: ANNUAL Donation to a certain amount in our Annual Fall or • Spring Donation drives— and your contri- www.spec.bc.ca/donate Some people prefer to give lump sums once bution will be matched by others. Contact (PayPal or credit card). or twice a year, as these donations provide a us if you would like to learn more about this Phone much needed boost of support during peak opportunity. and quiet times. Using Visa or MasterCard: 2 Donate Securities/Shares 604.736.7732 • Leave a Legacy A legacy is perhaps the easiest and most Donating publicly listed securities is an- CHEQUE substantial way to have a lasting impact that other option that could have added ben- Payable to “SPEC” honours your passion and commitment efits, which are related to the exemption on Mail to the office: to your community. Past SPEC supporters capital gains tax when donating securities 2305 WEST 7TH AVE have made significant contributions this to a charity. When you donate securities to VANCOUVER, BC V6K 1Y4 way. SPEC, you will receive a tax receipt for the fair market value of the assets the day the Each donation above $10 Become a Member assets were received and sold. This might • receives a charitable At only $30 per year, this is an easy way to prove to be a better option than donating show your commitment to local sustain- cash. Contact us for more information on tax receipt. this alternative. ability and environmental protection in Please remember, no donation is too small. your city. 33 CONTACT US Whether you have a question, suggestion or a contribution, we would like to hear from members of our community. You can reach us at the SPEC office:

Address: SPEC 2305 West 7th Avenue Vancouver, BC V6K 1Y4 Email: [email protected] Phone: 604-736-7732 Website: spec.bc.ca

This report was prepared by Karla Olson, Oliver Lane, and Carole Christopher with contributions from members of the board, committees, and other volunteers. Graphics and design by Lisa Rilkoff.