5 things you can do to Live the Change during Powell River Earth Week
Powtown Post is excited to announce a new contributor–Megan Cole.
Originally from Victoria, Megan Cole is a Powell River award-winning journalist and marketer with experience at the CBC, the Canadian Press and more. Cole also volunteers with local groups like the Powell River Earth Week committee and the Powell River Arts Council.
When we see the ocean, mountains, the glistening lakes and the multiple hues of green in the landscape around us in Powell River, we are reminded of how much the Earth gives to us here in our community. The abundance of the environment is not just in the trails we ride and run, or the lakes we paddle and swim, but also in the produce grown in our gardens, the water we drink from our watershed and the clean air we breath deep. With Earth Day on the horizon, the co-ordinators of Powell River Earth Week have been busy helping organize events that will help us prepare for the changes that lie ahead due to climate change, and sustain our community and the environment for the future.
If you’re wondering what you can do this Earth Week to Live the Change not just from Wednesday, April 22 to Tuesday, April 28, but year round, here are five things you can do.
1. Eat local
Powell River is rich in locally grown and produce products that we fill our tables (and bellies) with on a regular basis. This Earth Week you can enjoy great local and Earth Week inspired meals around Powell River at Coastal Cookery, Costa del Sol, Magpie’s, Edie Rae’s, Base Camp, the EcoCafe at Ecossentials, and Iguanas. Little Hut Curry will also be hosting a one night special event featuring a vegan or vegetarian dinner on Wednesday, April 22. Powell River residents will also be able to shop from local farmer and producers at the opening weekend of the Powell River Open Air Market on Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26.
2. See a movie
Learn about food waste and the vanishing of the bees at two special Earth Week movie screenings. The Let’s Talk Trash Team will be hosting an extra special matinee movie at The Patricia Theatre on Sunday, April 26 at 1 pm featuring Just Eat It. Just Eat It explores food waste as filmmakers and food lovers Jen and Grant dive into the issue of waste from farm, through retail, all the way to the back of their own fridge. On Thursday, April 23 at 7 pm, Ecossentials Local Market will be showing The Vanishing of the Bees, where researchers explore the worldwide collapse of honeybee colonies.
3. Support Pollinators
It is said that 90 per cent of our food crops is pollinated by bees. On top of that there are other pollinators like flies, butterflies and moths that also help us grow and enjoy our food. But with concerns around the survival of pollinator populations, it is becoming apparent that we need to do what ever we can to support our pollinators as they face uncertainty due to pesticides and other challenges. During Earth Week, the Powell River Earth Week team will be out and about distributing pollinator seeds and plants for you to plant at home to help support our local pollinator species in Powell River. Look for the group at this week’s events and pick up a plant or seed.
4. Take part in a workshop
Interested in learning something new that will help you Live the Change throughout the year? There are several great workshops and presentations that offer great information on a variety of Earth Week related topics.
- Stop by Carol Engram’s Worm Farm open house on Thursday, April 23 at Community Living Place, Artaban Street to learn about worm composting. Bring compostable items and exchange for worm castings!
- Visit Sunshine Coast Aquaponics on Sunday, April 26 at 3 pm for a special Earth Week tour and learn how fish and plants have been paired together in this unique agricultural practice.
- Learn how to make zines at the Powell River Public Library on Saturday, April 25 from 1 to 5 pm at the Green Zine Factory.
- The Urban Homesteading School is hosting a special Live the Change sampler evening at Cranberry Hall on Monday, April 27 at 7 pm.
5. Take the First Credit Union Earth Week challenge
From Monday, April 20 to April 24, the First Credit Union are challenging local businesses to Live the Change. The week’s challenges include ‘Two Sided Tuesdays,’ where staff are challenged to double side any printing, and to not print where possible; on ‘Waste Free Wednesday’ staff are challenged to pack lunches that contain no waste or garbage, and that includes going out for lunch, for ‘Thirsty Thursday’ employees are challenged to use reusable mugs when enjoying their morning coffee including for drive-thru drinks, and finally on ‘Fading Friday’ staff will work to use less energy by seeing how many lights they can turn off for the day.
For a full list of the Powell River Earth Week events visit our website.
Megan Cole