May Happenings
Spring is finally here, with all its potential - leaves unfurling, blossoms opening, birds singing. It gives even more reason to continue to work toward a future where humans and all life can thrive. Please read on for events and news from the West Kootenay Climate Hub and our partners.
Mark your calendar for our next lunch-hour webinar featuring hub partners and initiatives: May 13. This month we feature NestLab (more below).
If you missed our previous webinars – featuring Youth Climate Corps, West Kootenay Cycling Coalition, and Kootenay Outdoor and Environmental Learning Society – see our website for recordings: https://www.westkootenayclimatehub.ca/past-events.
West Kootenay Climate Hub Webinar Series:
Building a Climate Resilient Business Community in Nelson
Friday May 13 at noon PT
There is now a Business & Climate Advisor at the Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce! This new position is the direct result of a participant-led initiative from the NestLab. This webinar will welcome Josh Young to share how his new role will support businesses to implement or expand impactful climate initiatives. Focusing on both issues of mitigation and adaptation, the work is intended to get businesses thinking about how they can take action to contribute to the goals of the Nelson Next Community Climate Plan.
Join us for the opportunity to ask Josh some burning questions and show support for local businesses taking action on climate!
All welcome! Register here: https://bit.ly/WKCH4-NestLab
Youth Climate Corps Meet and Greet
This Thursday May 5, 4:30-6 pm PT in Nelson
As the West Kootenay season of the Youth Climate Corps begins this week, they are extending an invitation to meet with the latest crew on Thursday May 5 at the Nelson Innovation Centre (91-d Baker St), from 4:30 pm to 6 pm. They will be providing some light fare and refreshments and casual space.
If you would like to join them, please RSVP to Mel at mel@wildsight.ca.
Osprey Monitoring Workshop
This Saturday May 7, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Join Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society for a Lake Watchers workshop on osprey nest monitoring co-hosted by Wildlife Biologist Joanne Siderius. The workshop will train you to collect and submit data on osprey breeding activity for the long-term tracking of osprey survival on Kootenay Lake.
Anyone is welcome to sign up and attend!
For more info and to register visit https://www.friendsofkootenaylake.ca/events-calendar
Building Vibrant Peaceful Communities
Saturday May 14, 10 am - 4 pm in Castlegar
The Baha'i communities of the Kootenays, as part of the Nelson Interfaith Climate Action Collaborative, invite friends, neighbours and community members to explore a unified vision for the betterment of our world. The one day workshop, which will be at the Castlegar Community Complex on Saturday May 14, is one of a global wave of conferences happening around the globe.
The morning session will start with a panel presentation including Ernie Verigin from the Doukhobor community, Ann-Marie Smith from the First Nations community, Jeanne Zayac from Baha'i community, as well as Jennie Barron from the Mir Centre for Peace.
In the afternoon, we will break into smaller discussion groups so everyone has an opportunity to contribute their ideas and consider next steps forward. Please pass the invitation along to others who might want to participate.
Click here for more details and here to register.
Yard Sale Fundraiser for Water Defenders
Saturday May 14, 10 am - 4 pm
The Nelson/West Kootenay chapter of the Council of Canadians is holding a yard sale Saturday, May 14th at 1511 Cedar Street, Nelson. Contact sandra@netidea.com if you have items for the sale or call 250-352-9871. Sale is from 10 am to 4 pm, in support of the Wet’suet’en and other water defenders.
Victoria Day Bicycle Ride and Picnic
Monday May 23 at noon in Nelson
Family-friendly bicycle ride celebrating active transportation and demonstrating that we want and need safe places to ride. Meet at noon at Nelson Railway Station located at 91 Baker Street in Nelson. Ride as a mass group to Taghum Beach followed by a picnic in the park. All ages and abilities invited. Dress in your Sunday best. Bring food, drinks and firewood and bring it all on your bike. Hosted by the West Kootenay Cycling Coalition.
More details on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/526158944496611/
Bicycle Rally
Friday May 27, 6 pm in Nelson
A critical mass bicycle ride in support of policy reversal of ’No Fault’ ICBC insurance. We are demanding that cyclists and pedestrians be protected without additional insurance requirements. Meet at 6 pm at Baker and Hall Street in Nelson for a group ride followed by a BBQ at Lakeside Park. MLA Brittny Anderson will be in attendance. Hosted by West Kootenay Cycling Coalition.
More details on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/526158944496611/
Let’s Talk About Public Space
May 30, 7 pm in Nelson (with Zoom option also available)
Nelson at its Best, Nelson Public Library and The Civic Theatre are presenting Exploring Public Space on Monday May 30, 7-8:30pm, free in-person at the Nelson Civic Theatre or remotely on Zoom.
Public space is, simply put, areas open and accessible to people – all the open spaces that comprise the city’s core gathering areas, the streets and sidewalks on which we move around, and the civic buildings that act as public spaces where the community gathers or uses. Public space has a strongly intersectional quality in relation to ALL four pillars of community life, that is, social, environmental, cultural, and economic.
The evening will feature short video segments offering stimulating, creative and inspiring perspectives from urban designers, planners and place makers, some exciting ideas and approaches that could work in Nelson, as well as some opportunities to offer your thoughts on what public space means to you.
Register here to join via Zoom. For more information, contact George Chandler: georgechandler07@gmail.com 250-354-8227.
Kootenay CarShare Coop Has Two Job Positions!
Air Carshare is hiring two summer youth positions to market our new Air Carshare program. Help us bring carsharing to all communities around the Kootenays. Duties will include attending markets, talking to businesses, planning events and online media. For more information please send an email to info@carsharecoop.ca
Interested in Supporting a Localised Economy?
The Kootenay Outdoor and Environmental Learning Society is pursuing the idea of setting up a website featuring products made in the West Kootenays to promote buying local. As a start we would like the name of the business/person, product type (e.g., food, furnishings, household items, art, etc.), contact email and website if available. Once we have gauged the level of interest, we would then pursue funding.
The website would allow for online ordering of non-perishable items and make use of people travelling from city to city for delivery (like rideshare). Other details such as whether the product is made from renewable or recycled material, whether it is organic, etc. would be included with the product information. As well as supporting the local economy, buying local reduces the carbon footprint of the supply chain.
Please use this link to provide your information or send it via email to Craig at oelscoiety@gmail.com.
Solita Work, with the West Kootenay Cycling Coalition, would like to extend this invitation to an open house on her property on Friday May 13. Click here for more details.
Some of you will be aware of the contentious logging planned for the Argenta Face. Please see here for more info with a letter writing template and the latest from the Ecocentric Radio Show. Extinction Rebellion hopes to share an action in the near future, but details aren’t available in time for this newsletter.
In closing, here's a quote that resonates from yesterday’s Outrage and Optimism newsletter:
“When your mind tells you that you are just one person, too small to make a difference, remind yourself that positive tipping points are non-linear. We don’t know what is going to make the difference, but we know that in the end systems do shift and all the little actions add up to a new world.”
Thank you for reading this and for being involved.
Laura and Judy
West Kootenay Climate Hub
CCL Nelson - West Kootenay
We gratefully acknowledge that we live, work, and play on the traditional and unceded territories of the Sinixt, the Ktunaxa, the Syilx peoples.
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