Learning Grounds Associates and Evergreen staff at the annual Learning Grounds Forum 2010 (Photo: Miguel Hortiguela)
Evergreen’s National Associates Program welcomes two new additions to our nationwide network of on-the-ground experts.
On the Ground Across Canada
February 24, 2011
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Posted by jessicamnagy
FALL into planting season early!
August 26, 2010
Fall tree planting event Photo: Evergreen
Get a jump on plating in your local area and join Evergreen and our community partners at fall events! We have many early autumn events planned for the first week of September and many more to come throughout the season across the GTA.
Join us to plant trees, shrubs and wildflowers on Saturday September 11, 10 am-12 noon in Mississauga at Shelby Park and in Scarborough at Morningside Park . Check out our online event calendar for more on event details.
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Posted by Kim from Common Grounds
Meet Stephanie Levy, Project Manager, Common Grounds
May 6, 2010
Stephanie Levy, Project Manager, Common Grounds (Photo: Evergreen)
A graduate of environmental science, Stephanie Levy joined the BC Common Grounds team in May 2009 and we are very lucky to have her on our team! Read dispatches from Stephanie’s 2009 trip to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen here and here.
How are you involved? I’m the project manager of stewardship for Evergreen BC, I’m on the Steering Committee for the Canadian Environmental Network Youth Caucus, I’m in the Founding Committee of an international youth engagement project called YEGO, and I’m the official Youth Delegate on the Canadian Delegation to the Commission on Sustainable Development.
What motivates you? The growing numbers of opportunities for youth. There are many areas that truly lack youth engagement policies, but where we are today is eons ahead of even a decade ago. I am a product of individuals and organizations taking the time to mentor me, and I work so hard to give that back.
Which environmental issue most concerns you? One environmental issue in and of itself does not concern me as much as the larger picture does. I’m concerned most about the general indifference we have towards people who have lost as we have gained, and our disinclination to let go of bad habits.
What gives you optimism? Seeing those who work to improve lives and give their time to restore the planet. These people are literally making the earth better. They inspire me, and give me optimism.
Inspired? Join Stephanie at a planting or stewardship event near you!
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Posted by Allison from Evergreen British Columbia
Tuning Up for Spring
April 13, 2010
Shah Mohamed, Bike Educator, tuning up a staffer's bike. (Photo: Aurelia Dalinda)
Our new Bike Educator, Shah Mohamed, set up a bike clinic outside Evergreen’s offices on Tuesday to encourage all staff members to bike to work as often as possible, but the impetus came because of an upcoming staff off-site meeting at Evergreen Brick Works. “We wanted everyone riding down to the site, and a tuned bike is one that will hit the road.”
The clinic was put on by BAM – Bicycle Assembly and Maintenance Program, run by the Learning Enrichment Foundation. They train bicycle mechanics and get them ready to work at a bicycle shop. Shah completed the course in order to solidify his bicycle mechanics skills and to gain more insight about the bicycling community in Toronto.
A general tune up takes a mechanic about 20 – 30 minutes, and would cost upwards of $50 at a bicycle shop, but for Evergreen staff, the BAM students offered us a deal: the cost of parts plus a donation for labour. We hope to see full bicycle racks outside our offices this spring!
For those considering the bicycle commute, Shah advises:
- A tuned bike is a safe bike; get a tune-up, and ensure that you keep your bike tuned.
- Make sure you have good seat and handlebar height and your bike is adjusted to fit so you don’t strain yourself on your ride.
- Get a tune-up on bicycle safety through CanBike.
- Befriend your local bike shop, their advice, labour and help is well worth your ride.
Safe and happy cycling to everyone this spring!
1 Comment | Events, Green Tips, Staff, Toronto | Permalink
Posted by Aurelia from Operations
Raising Time
March 22, 2010
Becky Lamb & Christine Martin, Volunteer Development Department
This past weekend Evergreen went speed-dating for volunteerism. Timeraiser matches would-be volunteers with positions at local organizations, including Evergreen, who successfully found 50 volunteers at the 7th annual Timeraiser auction. Over 600 young professionals looking to give back to the community packed themselves into the Fermenting Cellar in the Distillery District to bid their time, not money, on artwork created by local artists. People can give up to a maximum of 125 hours to secure their piece, and the winning recipient has to fulfill their hours over the course of 12 months before they can begin positioning the artwork in their homes.
Out of almost 40 agencies, Evergreen is one of the few environmental organizations that participates in Timeraiser. Lots of people were fascinated by the broad mandate, programs and opportunities, particularly with Evergreen Brick Works set to open this spring.
Said Christine Martin, Manager, Volunteer Development; “Timeraiser is an opportunity to connect with people who haven’t thought about volunteering. We give them a chance to get outside, away from their desks.”
The positions promoted would indeed suit just that – from urban greening opportunities, to helping out at the seasonal farmers’ market; there’s something for everyone.
The season is just beginning, and the phone has already been ringing!
You can donate your time and energy too — check out our list of current volunteer opportunities!
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Posted by Aurelia from Operations
Meet Colin – Development Intern
February 1, 2010
Colin aims to help corporations leave a lighter footprint. (Photo: Becky Lamb)
There are many inspiring people working to make cities more livable across Canada. Meet Colin Campbell, a project intern in our development department.
When and where: I’ve been volunteering in Evergreen’s downtown Toronto office since November 2009.
What’s your passion? Assisting businesses to efficiently operate with respect for people and the environment is the job for me.
Why volunteer? At Evergreen I am able to learn more about large non-profit organizations and their methods of influencing corporate responsibility and sustainability. I want to make a positive impact on the environment and the communities within it, in the best way I can.
Most memorable moment: Once, before leaving for an important meeting, I grabbed a travel mug to take water with me. One sip and I realized that a coffee-lover had prior use of the mug, and the taste lingered in my water. All I could do was try to take small sips and not cringe in front of a potential sponsor!
What else do you do? I co-direct a youth sports camp during the week, but spend a lot of time training as a triathlete. I will be participating in four competitions this season. I love the outdoors, being active, and riding my bike whenever I can!
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Posted by Erin from Communications
Decomposer Decor
January 27, 2010
Moving the red wrigglers into the new Worm Condo (Photo: Rebekka Hutton)
There’s nothing like worm-compost troubleshooting to spice up a Monday in the office!
For Aimee Carson, Evergreen’s new Community Food Program Co-ordinator, the highlight of her first day at her new job was stumbling across a bin of worms.
It was lunchtime and I made my way to the staff kitchen where I immediately noticed frozen containers of food scraps thawing on the counter. My eyes soon shifted downwards, to a red bin perforated with holes and conveniently tucked underneath the counter. Curiosity getting the better of me, I investigated further and discovered composting worms!
1 Comment | Green Tips, Staff, Toronto | Permalink
Posted by Colin from Common Grounds
Canada’s Federal Positions Face Criticism at COP15
December 17, 2009
Toronto Mayor, David Miller, accepting the Fossil of the Day Award. (Photo: Stephanie Levy)
In this update from Copenhagen, Stephanie Levy speaks to the intense criticism Canada has come under for our positions in the COP15 climate change negotiations, both on the home front and on the international stage. She also shares her hope based on what political leaders at the municipal and provincial levels are doing despite our national positions:
The past few days have been incredibly interesting, albeit frustrating. As the whole world knows, Canada has been doing its best to obstruct a fair and ambitious deal. I was in the Conference Centre on Friday night when Canada won both first and second place fossil awards. But when Toronto Mayor, David Miller, stepped up to accept the award, saying that he came as an embarrassed Canadian, I felt hope. Vancouver Mayor, Gregor Robertson, was in our office Monday morning for an interview and said: “As a country, Canada has been despicable with carbon emissions. We need to change that.”
Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted by Allison from Evergreen British Columbia
We’re Growing!
December 15, 2009
L-R Alix, Christine, Becky, Sarah (me!), Anne, Cara and Teena. A pizza party in our new first floor digs! (Photo: Melissa Yu)
Many folks in the non-profit sector will relate to “the space issue” all too well: Too many people, not enough room. It’s common to have office and even desk sharing, rotating times working from home, an overflowing fridge, holding meetings at nearby coffee shops…
We love our open-concept office on Adelaide Street West, but we are really outgrowing the space. Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted by Sarah from Learning Grounds
Evergreen at COP15 in Copenhagen, Denmark
December 10, 2009
Stephanie Levy at COP15. (Photo: Stephanie Levy)
This past Monday, delegations from 192 countries representing government, the corporate community and civil society convened in Copenhagen, Denmark for the 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15). Our very own Stephanie Levy, Project Manager for the Mahon Park Stewardship Project in British Columbia, is among the thousands of concerned citizens attending COP15. She was chosen by the Global Observatory out of a pool of international applicants to attend and provide her own global insight on the climate change negotiations.
COP15 will be running until December 18, and Stephanie will be blogging about her experience and perspectives throughout its duration. Today, she shares her initial thoughts on the conference and its host country, Denmark:
“Kongens Nytorv” he said, over-pronouncing each word. “I’m sorry, can you say that again?” “KONGENS N-Y-T-O-R-V,” he sighed. “Okay,” I said, “one more time, in my good ear.”
6 Comments | News, Staff, Vancouver | Permalink
Posted by Allison from Evergreen British Columbia
Erin from Communications
Jenn from Communications
Colin from Common Grounds
Aurelia from Operations
Nate from Public Relations
Mel from Development
Michelle from Evergreen Brick Works
Sarah from Learning Grounds
Allison from Evergreen British Columbia
Eli from Communications
Lisa from Evergreen Brick Works
Anne from Learning Grounds
Laura from Common Grounds Vancouver
Kim from Common Grounds
Christine from Volunteering
Stefan from Common Grounds
Laura from Communications
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