| For Immediate Release: Transition SS Leads New Climate Action Plan for Island (September 17, 2019) The Climate Action Group, a project of Transition Salt Spring, is developing a citizen-led climate action plan to address the climate emergency. The plan, due to be released Spring 2020, will focus on the island’s transportation, food systems, land use, buildings and infrastructure and natural systems. This past August, they formed a steering committee to guide the climate action planning process.Recommendations in the plan will outline what the three levels of government, businesses, organizations, and residents can do to reduce emissions as well as adapt to a rapidly destabilizing climate. Read more here.. Upcoming Events and Notices(Click links to jump to details) TSSEC Enterprise Co-op – Green Micro Loans Salish Sea Renewable Energy Co-op – Bulk Solar Purchase Sept. 30th deadline Plastic Free Salt Spring – BC Survey Islands 2050 – Future of the Trust Sept. 21st – Climate Strike Rally Sept. 21st, 22nd – Kids R Still Alright Block Party Sept. 22nd – Family Adventures in Nature Sept. 23rd – Community Alliance AGM Sept. 24th – EV 101 Sept. 26th – Green Drinks Sept. 29th – SS Apple Festival Sept. 22nd – Family Adventures in Nature Oct. 2nd – Island Natural Growers Monthly Meeting Oct. 3rd – Poetry Open Mic – Ecology theme Oct. 4th – ASK Salt Spring Launch Oct. 8th – Gulf Islands Lakes – Book Launch Oct. 18th, 19th – Regeneration Canada Talk and Workshop Oct. 28th – RRPAG AGM Oct.- Nov.- East Africa Permaculture Projects |
CLIMATE ACTION LOANS for HOMEOWNERSTransition Salt Spring Enterprise Co-op is offering Climate Action Loans to homeowners for projects that help address climate change and adapt to its effects. Currently we are offering loans up to $5,000 at 3.5% interest.PLEASE CONTACT US!
e-mail: TSSenterpriseCoop@gmail.com
phone: 250-537-2616
https://transitionsaltspring.com/enterprise-co-op/
Upcoming Solar bulk buy/installationDue to incredible demand, Salish Sea Renewable Energy Co-op are organizing another Bulk Purchase of Solar Photovoltaics for the Southern Gulf Islands. We are hoping to have commitments by the end of September, extended from the original deadline of end of August.
If you are interested in this bulk purchase, follow these steps: Send an email to ssrecinfo@gmail.com to indicate your interest in going solar. Include your exact address so that we can do a quick remote assessment of your solar potential.*Once you have received your remote assessment, if you are seriously interested then Viridian Energy Cooperative will come for an on-site assessment.Join SSREC (application). This is important as only members can get the bulk discount. Viridian will do the first round of on-site assessments from August 11- 14. The cost will be $30/assessment. Once we know who is interested, we will let you know when Viridian will be on your island. Viridian will then send you an estimate of the cost of going solar (equipment, installation, permits, taxes – the works) at your site. Costs will vary depending on many factors, such as your roof, electrical system or if you decide on a ground mount. Estimates will include a 10% discount for being involved in the bulk-purchase. Remember that Viridian’s prices are already the lowest around, even without the discount. You can then decide if you want to commit, which will require a deposit of 50% of the total cost by the end of September.
Would you like to see a Plastic Free Salt Spring?
Please consider taking a moment to fill out this quick survey on plastics in BC — and share broadly so that our voices are heard.
Between now and September 30, the provincial government is taking public input regarding plastic waste. They have apparently said they will only take action if the public supports it. You can make your thoughts known at this link:
The survey takes about 5 minutes.
More info at: https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/plastics
Join the TSS Plastic Free Salt Spring group: https://endsingleuseplastics.com
Announcing
Islands 2050: an Engagement about the
Future of the Trust AreaToday, Sept 6th 2019, the Islands Trust announced the launch of Islands 2050, a major public engagement process designed to help the Trust plan for the challenges and opportunities that the Islands Trust Area will face in the next 30 years, particularly as it prepares for the realities of climate change.In communities throughout and around the Trust Area, the Islands Trust will engage the public and First Nations through open houses, community events, onboard BC Ferries and online conversations.Opportunities to provide input on questions relevant to climate change and the public’s vision for the future of the Islands Trust Area will be available through: www.islandstrust.bc.ca/islands2050.If you love the Trust Area, the Islands Trust Policy Statement is important. Findings of the Islands 2050 engagement process will help the Islands Trust update the Policy Statement, the foundational document that guides the preserve and protect mandate of this special-purpose government. The Policy Statement guides policy decisions about island landscapes and the waters surrounding them. It includes recommendations to other levels of government. Notably, it informs how local official community plans (OCPs) and land use bylaws are created – changes to this document could affect local OCPs.Share your thoughts, send us an email: islands2050@islandstrust.bc.caClimate Strike RallySaturday Sept. 21st
12 noon- 2pm
Centennial Park
Everyone welcome
September 20-27 is global Climate Strike Week inspired by Swedish high-school student Greta Thunberg. A group of Salt Spring islanders is planning an event in Ganges for Saturday, September 21st.
Help with MEDIA – Please share the poster in your social media and email networks. You can find paper copies in the Community Box at Apple Photo under the title “Climate Strike”. Like and Share the Facebook event link:
https://www.facebook.com/events/444980892896347/THE KIDS R STILL ALRIGHT
Block Party!September 21st-22nd
All-Ages, All-Day
Island Savings Parking Lot
THE KIDS R STILL ALRIGHT! is an all-ages Block Party hosted by the Chuan Society, a registered non-profit society based on Salt Spring Island.
Occurring on the weekend of the Fall Equinox, this will be our second annual Block Party featuring a diverse musical smorgasbord of local talent of all ages in multiple genres.
This year’s theme is ‘Resilience’, with a focus on mental health and wellbeing on the island, and an invitation to co-create a Radical Wellness Network to serve and connect people in our community experiencing mental health challenges.
Please join us in supporting the island’s culture, and a chance to showcase its abundance of amazing talent and community connectedness! Contact: chuansociety@gmail.com for more info.
Family Adventures in Nature
“The Bees Knees”
Sunday, September 22, Drop In from 1pm to 4pm
Blackburn Lake Nature Reserve, 265 Blackburn RdChildren, come for hands-on activities during the second to last of our “Sundays on the Nature Reserve” this year! We’ll be making mason bee homes (for the Spring!), learning to make origami seed packets, and going on a pollinator scavenger hunt.
Snacks and materials provided. FREE admission. For kids ages 6 to 12. Bring your adult(s)!
Animals of Blackburn Lake Nature Reserve
Sunday, September 29, Drop In from 1pm to 4pm
Blackburn Lake Nature Reserve, 265 Blackburn RdChildren, come for hands-on activities during the last of our “Sundays on the Nature Reserve” this year! We’ll be going on a habitat walk, making plaster casts of animals tracks, and playing animal bingo.
Snacks and materials provided. FREE admission. For kids ages 6 to 12. Bring your adult(s)!This is the last day for our 2019 dates of Family Adventures in Nature. Community Alliance
Annual General Meeting
Monday September 23rd
7-9pm
Lions Hall
Please fill out our new community poll to cast your votes for the community meeting topics you would like to see in the Fall/Winter.
The Community Alliance will continue to facilitate a space for Salt Springers to come together, discuss local issues and take action together.
We are looking for New Board Members to help with organizing, marketing, website development, and fundraising. If you would like to get more involved in the organizational side of the Alliance, please do let us know. ssispeaks@gmail.com
Thank you for your participation and support over these past two years.
It has truly been amazing!
Come say Hi at the Fall Fair and learn about the new Ask Salt Spring project launching soon!EV 101Sept 24th
7pm
SS Public Library
Free
Come get all your questions answered about Electric Vehicles.Green DrinksThurs. Sept. 26th
5pm- 7pm
Penny’s Pantry
“Green Drinks” is a monthly social and networking mixer hosted by Transition Salt Spring (TSS) that’s open to everyone. Held most months on the fourth Thursday.
This month meet some of the Eco Living and Home Tour Hosts as we debrief the 2019 tour.The 20th Annual Salt Spring Island
Apple Festival
A Toast to Mother Nature for Growing Such Great Apples
Sunday, Sept 29th
Fulford Hall plus 18 venues
A chance to visit Apple Heaven while still on earth!
Salt Spring Island Grows over 500 apple varieties ORGANICALLY.
We displayed 430 varieties at Apple Fest 2016.
The Apple Festival map is released at 9 am on Sunday Sept 29th.Tickets are available at either of our 2 Ticket booths at :Fulford Hall or atThe Ganges Tourist Information Centre.Cost is $10 per adult, $5 per student and KIDS are FREE. Your best strategy, is to go directly to the closest ticket booth, buy your ticket and you will get a map. There will be about 18 farms on the tour this year so pick your favourite places to go AND THEN RAMBLE.Apple Festival Website: www.saltspringapplefestival.org
Apple Festival Video Channel: youtube.com/user/SSIAppleFestival/videosING- Island Natural Growers
Monthly meeting, farm tour and potluck
Wed. Oct. 2nd
5pm farm tour with Daria Zovi
Potluck to follow
The Quarry Farm – 190 Jasper Road
Find out what it takes to turn an old quarry into a productive organic farm.
Contact Anne Macey for more info: (250)-537-5511 annemacey@shaw.cahttps://thequarryfarm.caPoetry Open Mic
Thurs. Oct. 3rd
7PM
Reader sign-up at 6:45. One poem per reader.
Salt Spring Library
Featured poet Chris Muscat writes about the unseen, ecology, grief and beauty. Exploring poetry as a way of giving back into the heart of the beloved. He has self-published half a dozen chap books and is currently working on two books of poetry to be released in 2020. ASK Salt Spring – a Community Alliance project’Neighbours Helping Neighbours Find Answers’
Come join us for our Launch on Oct. 4, 2019!DROP-IN: EVERY FRIDAY10AM-1PMThrifty Foods, upper level
Your elected officials and our volunteers will be available at in the Florist Shop to help you find answers to questions about anything on Salt Spring.ONLINE: SUBMIT QUESTIONS: asksaltspring@gmail.comYour questions will be answered promptly by a team of local volunteers.Want to know more?
Contact Gayle Baker – ASK Salt Spring ssispeaks@gmail.com
(250) 537-4482Book Launch
Gulf Island Lakes: New Work (2014-2019) on Salt Spring’s St. Mary, Cusheon, & Blackburn and Cortes’ Hague & Gunflint
by Maggie Squires, Ph.D. & Drew Bodaly. Ph.D.
Tuesday, October 8th
7PM
SSI Public Library
Squires and Bodaly are retired research scientists and consultants. Effects of river and mine-water discharge on water quality and algal productivity were a focus of Squires. The impact of hydroelectric developments on fish including the bioaccumulation of mercury was a primary focus of Bodaly. In this collection of new work on Gulf Island lakes, Squires and Bodaly aim to unravel myths and provide an ecological basis for making land-use decisions in island watersheds.
The Salt Spring Foundation has supported the creation of the lake volume and its launch at the SSI Public Library.Regeneration Canada Talk
Fri. Oct. 18th, 6:30pm-8:30pm – Intro Talk
Sat. Oct. 19th, 10am-4pm – Workshop
Lions Hall.
Save the date; tickets announced soon. Ananda Fitzsimmons of Régéneration Canada will offer a presentation about how soil carbon sequestration through regenerative agriculture practices has the potential to pull excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in agricultural lands. This could, in addition to reversing the progress of climate change, assure a safer and more secure food system and mitigate the effects of climate instability.
This talk is relevant to anyone who consumes food and is concerned about the environment.
Ananda will present the work of Régéneration Canada and talk about how all citizens have a role to play if we are to create the significant change required to respond adequately to the climate crisis. The presentation will be followed by a discussion about how communities can take action.
More info at: https://regenerationcanada.org/en/RRPAG (Rainbow Road Park Allotment Gardens)
Annual General Meeting
Mon. Oct. 28th
10am – 12 noon
SSI Public Library
All Salt Springers are welcome to hear about this past years milestones and plans for the future. The waiting list is currently 6 people. Come and enjoy coffee and a muffin, and make connection with a group of enthusiastic gardeners who are doing their part to increase local organic food production. Please contact Jane Petch for more info at 537-0880.Practical Permaculture Program in East Africa
Discover Permaculture in Kenya and Uganda
Oct. 11th-25th- Kenya
Oct. 26-Nov 8th – Uganda
Come with us for a cultural and educational experience like no other. You will be immersed in Kenyan and Ugandan culture by living traditionally, working on permaculture projects and learning indispensable skills with an experienced team of East African and Canadian instructors and colleagues.
Since 2014, our lead designer and head teacher Brandon Bauer has worked on over 20 projects in East Africa enhancing the lives of more than 10,000 people with renowned permaculturalist Michael Nickels of Seven Ravens Farm and founder of the Practical Permaculture Institute of Kenya Josephat Barasa (JB). Brandon has been teaching permaculture in Canada and various parts of the world for 14 years.
Marie-Pierre Bilodeau is an eco-clothing creator turned regenerative agriculture advocate who helps manage the project ensuring our team delivers impact generating projects that create long-term solutions to environmental and social problems. These projects empower thousands of people to become land stewards and lift themselves out of poverty.
Why is our work crucial and urgent?
Industrial agriculture as currently practiced with monocultures and argrochemicals in a globalized production system is one of the highest contributors to climate change. People in poverty tend to bear the brunt of these degenerative consequences. We work with local leaders to create long-term, regenerative agricultural solutions that empower people.
We must raise $20,000 CAD by October 2019 in order to buy tools, seeds, plants, rainwater catchments, fencing and other materials as well as provide food, accommodation and wages to our East African team to install two farms and learning centres in October 2019.
One farm will be for a feeding program and vocational training centre atKakamega School for Deaf Children in Kenya and the other will address the extreme poverty and environmental degradation in the community surrounding Dream Farm Kakyabunga in Uganda.
Please HELP US reach our goal by making a donation through our partner organization Innovative Communities.org Foundation. Since 2008, Innovative Communities.org Foundation has been relieving poverty and advancing education by connecting communities with resources through processes, technologies, grassroots involvement and team building in 16 countries on 4 continents. It is an honour to be working with this ground-breaking organization.
ClickHERE to find out more!
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Merci! Asante! Join Transition!By receiving this Newsletter you are a member of Transition Salt Spring Society, if you wish to unsubscribe to the newsletter and/or become or remain a member, please click on the link below or email transitionsaltspringinfo@gmail.com
Transition Salt Spring now has a receipt box (#7) at Country Grocer, so please save your tapes! Country Grocer generously donates 1% of total receipts.
Thank you Country Grocer!ShareForwardOur NEW mailing address is:
P.O. Box 673, Ganges, BC
V8K 2W3
www.transitionsaltspring.com
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