GardenSmart Tip:
Don't waste drinking water on your lawn, but if you must water, sprinkling restrictions are in effect starting June 1. Sprinkling is allowed from 4-9 am and 7-10 pm. Even-numbered addresses can sprinkle on Wednesdays & Saturdays; odd-numbered addresses on Thursday & Sundays. For more information, visit www.metrovancouver.org
Your lawn only requires 1" of water, once per week. A tuna can is about 1" high; place it on your lawn while watering. When the tuna can is full, turn off the water. Don't forget: rain also counts as water!
Initiatives:
Changes to Transfer Station Fees
Effective July 1, the minimum fees for small loads are increasing. For garbage ($7.10 per 100 kg), a $20 minimum fee for tipping garbage will be charged on weekdays from 10am – 2pm for loads less than 140 kgs. At all other times, the minimum fee will be $10. For green 'waste' ($5.60 per 100 kg), the minimum charge for loads less than 100 kgs will increase to $6. For more info, visit www.metrovancouver.org
Become a Traffic Circle Gardener!
The City of North Vancouver’s Ridgeway Traffic Circle Gardeners’ Stewardship Program is seeking volunteers or groups of volunteers to take on the sponsorship and maintenance of traffic circle gardens. Traffic circles with gardens in them beautify the neighbourhood and provide a gardening space for those who want some. For more information, contact Clare Husk (604) 983-7334 or chusk@cnv.org. For more info, visit www.cnv.org
Be Part of the Plan: Front Room Forums
Throughout June, TransLink is holding public meetings to discuss the future of our transportation system. If you can't get to one, why not have a meeting of your own at home? The Front Room Forum is an opportunity for you, your friends, family and co-workers to discuss options related to how we move around our Region. For more information, call (604) 453-4687 or visit www.bepartoftheplan.ca. The future of our home can begin in yours!
Reduce Packaging: For the "Greener Good"
Report Walmart products with excessive packaging as part of that company's For the Greener Good campaign. Send feedback using their online product packaging feedback form and Walmart will send customer comments back to the manufacturer. Walmart Canada has committed to reducing product packaging in stores by 5% by 2013. Visit their website for more info or to report excess packaging. www.walmart.ca
|
June 2009 Events
Hello from GardenSmart:
Summer weather is upon us, and so too are lawn sprinkling restrictions. It is also Environment Week next week. Although here at the North Shore Recycling Program we believe that every week is environment week, this is as good a time as any to begin a new 'reduce' or 're-use' action. Remember, no matter how small your action is, if you do it enough and others do the same, you will help to change our world - for the better or worse, depending on what you choose to do!
This month, Walmart offers you a way to help reduce suppliers' excess packaging , the NSRP offers expert composting advice and another GardenSmart workshop, and the City of North Van hosts a fascinating evening discussion about low-energy use housing and how it might fit into our urban areas. Enjoy the summer weather!
Re-Use: Scrapbook Material
Scrap-Arts is hosting a scrapbooking auction of gently used scrapbooking items. This is a great way to pass along items you no longer need but that someone else might want, or to pick-up some new-to-you items for your crafts. - Scrap Arts (161 East 1st St, NV)
- Friday, May 29 (5-9 pm) Tonight!
- For more information, contact (604) 980-8811 or scrapart@telus.net. Visit www.scraparts.blogspot.com for more information.
Composting in Bear Country: Community Days
The North Shore Recycling Program, Bear Aware and the North Shore Black Bear Society are teaming up this year to help people learn to compost in bear country - safely. Drop in for some practical advice from compost and bear experts this month at Lynn Valley Days, West Vancouver Community Days and Blueridge Good Neighbour Days. Pick up a Wingdigger aerator tool ($7.50) without having to make the drive to the Recycling Depot. - Lynn Valley Park (3400-block, Mountain Highway, NV)
- Saturday, May 30 (10 am - 4 pm)
OR
- West Vancouver Community Centre (22nd and Marine Drive, WV)
- Saturday, June 6 (10 am - 4 pm)
- Visit www.westvancouver.net for information about West Van Community Days
OR
- Blueridge Elementary School (2650 Bronte Drive, NV)
- Saturday, June 14 (10 am - 4 pm)
- Click here for information about Blueridge Days
Top
Vote for Your Favorite TRASH the TRASH Video!
North Shore high school students worked feverishly this past April to reduce their school's garbage as part of North Shore Recycling Program's TRASH the TRASH contest. They've made short videos of their initiatives and now await your vote! Support these students as they strive to make a difference! Winners receive a "Zero Waste" kayaking trip and catered lunch.
DNV Environmental Presentations
The District of North Vancouver invites the public to an evening of environmental presentations in celebration of Environment Week. This free event will feature short presentations by experts in the fields of water conservation, composting, pesticide use and "virtual water"
- DNV Council Chambers (355 West Queens Road, NV)
- Thursday, June 4 (7 - 9 pm)
- This is a free, drop-in event. Contact (604) 990-2311 or visit www.dnv.org for more information.
Top
Mosquito Creek Old Growth Forest Hike
Have you ever wondered what the forests of the North Shore looked like prior to the logging era? Join David Cook of Nature Vancouver for a leisurely walk up the west side of Mosquito Creek to 24 hectares of old growth red cedar forest with veteran trees up to 3m diameter. The elevation gain for the hike is about 300 metres. The hike up to the main area of old growth forest takes 2 to 3 hours with many stops to view the natural history of the area.
- Top of Skyline Drive, NV
- Sunday, June 7 (10 am - 3 pm)
- Bring lunch, water and dress for changes in weather. For more information, contact 604-924-0147 (David Cook) or visit www.naturevancouver.ca
Invasive Plants: Identifying and Replacing the Bad Guys
Join North Shore landscaper Heather Schamehorn for a walk in the park! Learn to identify the plants that put our native habitats at risk, how to eradicate them and great alternatives for your home garden. - Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre (3663 Park Drive, NV)
- Saturday, June 13 (1- 2:30 pm)
- This GardenSmart workshop is free, but registration is required by telephone only at (604) 990-3755. More information at www.gardensmart.ca
Top
Green City Living Film & Speaker Series: The Passive House
The City of North Vancouver is proud to present the Green City Living film and speaker series for 2009 on the third Tuesday of each month. The emerging Passive House concept, representing today's highest standard in energy efficiency, offers the potential to cut heating energy consumption of a new or existing building by up to 90%. Michael Green, Principal and architect with MGB Architects, will be present to provide information on the Passive House concept and lead a discussion on its potential in the City of North Vancouver.
- City Hall Council Chambers (141 W 14th STreet, NV))
- Tuesday, June 16 (7 - 9 pm)
- The event is by donation and registration is not required. Call (604) 998-3448 (City of North Vancouver) or visit www.cnv.org/greencityliving for more information.
Composting in Bear Country: Coexisting on the Edge of a Rainforest
Join popular compost expert Ryan Nassichuk and Bear Aware's Christine Miller to learn simple things you can do to create compost without attracting bears. This is a pilot workshop; more information is at the gardensmart website.
- Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre (3663 Park Drive, NV)
- Wednesday, June 24 (6:30 - 8:30 pm)
- This GardenSmart workshop is free, but registration is required by telephone only at (604) 990-3755. More information at www.gardensmart.ca
Top |
Connecting to Facebook
