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March and April have been a challenging time for Canadians, but we are responding well and following now standard protocols to protect ourselves through social distancing and other actions, some likely to continue indefinitely into the future even after the virus subsides. We are especially concerned and must speak up for the welfare of seniors and their caregivers in seniors’ homes across the country in fighting this pandemic.
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TREA like many other local groups has experienced considerable adjustment to this new reality of isolating ourselves to avoid virus contact.
At the beginning of March, we started a series of how-to workshops but had to step back after the first one (on composting) which had a great turnout. We are revisiting how to move them forward online, so please check our website for updates later in May.
We also expect to postpone our school visits until the fall.
We have successfully held our AGM online in March and our more recent our Board meeting so the learning curve is succeeding.
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We extend our many thanks to Shelby Paxton, our most recent co-op student who helped us between January and April. We hope to gain a new student during the summer months as we have many ideas to put into place.
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Many events have had to be cancelled recently that TREA has long enjoyed attending, for instance, Western’s EnviroCon; Go Wild Grow Wild Expo, which is now being reorganized as a My Wild Green Home 2020, a 3-season virtual expo, coming soon; and Clean and Green Day.
Check out the Go Wild Grow Wild website for more details and updates on the virtual expo.
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TREA has been a champion of Earth Day (April 22) locally for the last 30 years in creating the first local events in the 90’s, to now celebrating the community’s response as a wide effort. We hope you were able to make a special difference at home this year.
In the foreseeable future our yearly Compost Day (early May) shared with other charitable groups may have the opportunity to be partially rescheduled, and participation with June bike activities organized with Cycle Link may have the opportunity to go online or be social distanced.
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With what was likely considerable reflection and sadness, decisions have been made to cancel Gathering on the Green (June 6), postpone Reimagine’s Zero Waste Festival (June 13) until next year, and cancel Sunfest (June 9-12) and Home County Folk Festival (July 17-19). All events we hope to have a presence at again to support waste reduction and composting efforts.
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We hope over the summer months, the virus is eradicated and we may begin to see change.
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We would like to share the following with you –
- The Urban League is helping neighbourhood groups create neighbourhood pods, made up of 5-30 people/neighbours who can provide mutual support to one another as the quarantine continues. This is a national movement to support having systems in place now and after the crisis is over. Contact info@urbanleague.ca to get connected to resources for this initiative, including online support meetings.
- Cycle Link is facilitating a bike art contest for children. Send a clear photo of your artwork to info@londoncyclelink.ca, including the name and age of the artist. Winners will be announced Tuesday, June 30, 2020.
- Check out London Environment Network for a list of community resources.
- If you are interested in helping others with mutual aid support, being helped, or learning more about local efforts, join the Facebook group, Caremongering London, ON - Community & ACTIVIST Responses to Covid-19
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Taking policy action –
Now is the time to envision a new future recognizing this pandemic is part of climate change. What we thought was "normal" before was already a crisis, and returning to it is not an option. Share lifestyles and work pattern changes you are finding that are reducing consumption, reducing car travel, reducing household waste and putting more reliance on local supply chains, with TREA – info@trea.ca and we will post as well as pass along to the decision-makers.
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For those that have been advocating for community gardens – congratulations! The province has now listed them as allowable, locally they will soon be starting up. For now, Londoners should avoid going to the gardens until the City confirms that they are open. The gardens can’t open until all measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 have been identified and are in place. There are a few more plots available if Londoners want to register at london.ca/communitygardens
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Check out the most recent pandemic protocols across Canada and contact your representatives if you have questions or concerns.
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supported it as a volunteer or member of TREA. Thank you!
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