Saanich Takes the “Pledge”
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Volume 8 Issue 2 Summer 2008 Saanich Takes the “Pledge” n celebration of Environment Week, addressing non-essential pesticide use, Ithe District of Saanich took the allowing sufficient time for consultation Pesticide Free Pledge. The Parks before implementation. To stay informed Department oversees most of the of progress being made visit: land care on Municipal property and in http://webstage/resident/environment/ their 50th anniversary year Parks will pdfs/Pesticidealternatives.pdf Rae Roer and Councillor Susan Brice Taking the implement the pledge at Municipal Hall, Pledge at Saanich Municipal Hall Recreation Centres and Boulevard Floral Taking the Pledge and drafting the Displays. The 21 pesticide-free Saanich Pesticide–Use Reduction Bylaw will be processes to create healthy, vibrant sites can be found at: http://www.saanich. priorities for both Saanich Parks and gardens (registration at the door). ca/resident/parks/index.html . Recreation and Planning/Environmental Services for 2009. You can also take the pledge on-line The District of Saanich is joining the at: http://www.crd.bc.ca/takethepledge/ growing trend for Canadian municipalities As a resident of the region, you can join or in person at the Municipal Hall (3rd to raise awareness and enact bylaws the momentum too. Join GAIA College floor, Planning Department) or at the about the negative impacts of pesticide- at 6:00 pm, July 2nd 2008 at Saanich Parks office at 1040 McKenzie Ave. Both use in our communities. Under the Municipal Hall, in the Council Chambers these locations have lawn stakes ready direction of Saanich Council, staff are for a free workshop on Organic Garden for pick up if you have already taken the beginning the process of drafting a bylaw Care. Learn how to work with natural pledge! BACKYARD BAT BASICS Nicole Polet, Goldstream Nature House Yuma myotis So what’s the attraction? Why do we An example of a Bat house want bats as a part of our backyard fauna? Bats are like nature’s insecticide. Get an even closer look at the amazing s the days get longer and warmer, A single Little Brown Bat can eat up life of a bat this summer by visiting our backyards become the stage to 600 insects in one hour, including A the Goldstream Nature House at for a familiar summer spectacle. Black our summer nemesis - the mosquito! Goldstream Provincial Park. Every streaks zip across a dusky sky, darting in Not only that, but many species of bat summer the Nature House attic hosts and out of trees or sweeping low across population are following a steady decline a maternity colony of over one hundred a pond. Saanich is home to ten species due to habitat loss. Providing bats with female Yuma bats. Watch them up close of bats, the three most common being suitable habitat is essential. You can help on our live “bat cam” as they “hang out” the Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus), attract bats to your backyard by keeping in our attic; you may even witness a live the Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus) it natural with native plants and ponds. birth! and the Yuma Bat (Myotis yumanensis). Bat houses are easy to build and can For more information please visit These flighty, insectivorous mammals provide a whole colony of bats with a www.naturehouse.ca or call the are often given a negative reputation but home. Being able to observe a bat colony Goldstream Nature House at without bats our backyards would be an in your backyard is a very fascinating and (250) 478-9414. ecological nightmare! rewarding experience! 1 Sponsored by Environmental Services of the Municipality of Saanich Summer 2008 BACKYARD WEAPON AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Norm Mogenson Here is something you can do to if it has poor drainage and add in any combat climate change and create a finely chopped organic material you have healthier environment, yielding health- access to. Plant fruit and berries if they giving foodstuffs. Grow more fruits and are still available. Plant fall, winter and vegetables in your own back yard or in early spring crops on advice from an allotment gardens. Apart from that, try experienced gardener. You will be ready he average distance that food to live on a 30 km diet (preferably less). to grow your own food by next spring. on the average North American T Plan how to best preserve temporary dinner table is transported is about By the time you get this, you may think surpluses of this food. 2400 kilometers (from source to your it is too late in the season for this action mouth). Given that we live on an island, to start now, but it’s not. Here are some Remember, you are absolutely assured the transport distances are even greater things you can do now. As gardens need of organic produce when you grow it to this area. That means we release plenty of sunshine, locate the sunniest yourself. enormous amounts of CO2 and use site on your property (doesn’t have to tons of energy to import food we could be the back yard). Dig and turn the easily grow. We have the most favorable soil, ensuring you are not damaging growing area in Canada for many crops, ecologically sensitive areas. Add sand yet we don’t value arable land as such. 4th Annual Festival and Sustainability Expo Each year we are finding more diverse he Organic Islands Festival is exhibitors that bring a wealth of choices Tgrowing strong with more leading- to people here on Vancouver Island. edge exhibitors planned for this In addition to our new Sustainability summer's 4th Annual Festival and Expo, exhibitors this year include Sustainability Expo coming July 5th eco furniture, organic pet food, solar and 6th, 2008. energy providers, superfast garden composters, biodegradable plastics, and It's easy being green. That's the wild food demonstrations and recipes message Deb Morse, Director of the for a cool planet. Organic Islands Festival would like people on Vancouver Island to know. The festival takes place at Glendale As more and more people are aware Gardens and Woodland in Saanich, a of the impact that individual choices beautiful setting where event visitors can make on the environment, she is will enjoy musical entertainment, chef's finding that businesses focusing on demonstrations and tastings from local sustainable products and services are organic farms. Learn how to have a becoming more prevalent. Pocket Market in your community and gain direct access to local food and "It is a lot easier now to choose foods, products in your neighbourhood or have health products, energy sources, F.U.N. at the main stage with Carolyn even furniture that leave a smaller Herriott engaging in a panel discussion Contact: Gerda Lattey footprint," says Morse, the founder and on Farming in Urban Neighbourhoods. phone 250-537-1526 programmer of the popular Victoria To find out more please visit: [email protected] area event. www.organicislands.ca. 2 Sponsored by Environmental Services of the Municipality of Saanich Summer 2008 Environmental Achievment Awards Mayor Frank Leonard and Councillor Vicki Sanders with Saanich’s 2008 Environmental Achievement Award Winners Commercial Bob Boulter & Mayor Leonard Individual Citizen Volunteer Winner: Carmanah Technologies Carmanah Technologies is putting Winner: Judy Spearing Organization solar energy to work world- Judy has volunteered on several wide. Carmanah's innovative solar ecological restoration projects and technology significantly reduces has initiated two of her own; one in or eliminates on-grid energy use, Mount Douglas Park and the other, incorporates clean, green renewable in Bow, Brodick and Feltham Parks. energy, and operates reliably year round She educates volunteers, students and in the most extreme conditions with neighbours about threats posed by little or no maintenance. Eight pairs of invasive species and facilitates 1000's Carmanah's solar-powered crosswalk of hours of volunteer stewardship. In Dave Lock & Paul Gareau beacons were recently installed particular she has championed a multi- throughout the District of Saanich. year approach to rid Mount Douglas Winner: Mount Tolmie Carmanah's solar technology includes of garlic mustard in order to protect Conservancy Association a range of solar-powered roadway native biodiversity in the region. Judy The Mount Tolmie Conservancy lighting applications from solar-power exemplifies education, action and Association (MTCA) is deserving of pedestrian crosswalk and 24-hour advocacy to preserve biodiversity in an award for the achievements of its flashing beacons, to programmable our municipality. In her spare time members in protecting and restoring solar school-zone flashers and stand- she researches, attends workshops and the Garry oak habitat in the park. Two alone power sources for Intelligent events to educate herself. Judy is an members in particular, Dave Lock Transportation Systems equipment. outstanding community volunteer. and Paul Gareau, were singled out for With no trenching or cabling required, nominations. Both have been involved Carmanah's grid-independent solar- Honorable mention: John Jungen for years with the group, pulling broom powered traffic equipment can be and other invasive plants and teaching installed and operated with little or no native plant identification. The MTCA environmental impact. deserves recognition for the positive contribution they have made to this special Saanich Park. Judy Spearing and John Jungen 3 Sponsored by Environmental Services of the Municipality of Saanich Summer 2008 Youth Group/School Sustainability on Saanich, since 1992. They provide planning input, scientific knowledge Award and expertise, public education, outreach and support to related local causes and organizations. GOMPS has been lobbying for the protection of Garry oaks and their associated species longer than any other group in Canada and has been vital in increasing the Reynolds Student, Heather Coey & recognition and understanding of the Guy Dauncey Mayor Leonard ecological values of Garry oak habitat throughout the region.