February 1, 2010
Geoff Cape in Davos.
Evergreen’s executive director Geoff Cape is blogging from The World Economic Forum.
If Davos 2009 was dominated by the financial crisis, 2010 is dominated by ideas around sustainability. After two days here in at the World Economic Forum, I can report with confidence that the green agenda is fully represented. I am impressed so far.
It begins with the front-of-program positioning of the “Greener Davos,” which involves elaborate public transit services for all participants (rather than the usual black Mercedes), pedometers for all and recycling programs for all waste. There is a very long list of sessions on topics such as green design, the state of the oceans, climate change, energy, transportation, water and waste management. Others are related to shifting consumer behaviour, the environmental challenge of short-term profit motives and the protection of our global commons: air, water and soil.
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Posted by Erin from Communications
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
January 28, 2010
Geoff Cape is blogging from Davos.
Evergreen’s executive director Geoff Cape is blogging from The World Economic Forum.
This is going to be a big year for Evergreen. It is hard to know how to put it into context this early, but I am optimistic for the adventure ahead.
Over the next 15 days I will be attending three special events. My first stop is the mountain village of Davos, Switzerland for the 40th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum. It will be my second visit to this unique gathering of 2,000 people from around the world.
After this, I will return home to Toronto just long enough to change before heading to Washington to accept a National Geographic award for Evergreen Brick Works. From there, I will check in with my dear family and the growing pile on my desk before heading to Vancouver to participate in a Sustainability Forum hosted by Walmart.
My head is spinning just thinking of it all.
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Posted by Aurelia from Operations
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!
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Posted by Colin from Common Grounds
January 26, 2010
It’s been almost a week and I still keep dreaming about the delicious local, vegan food that was served by Radha Yoga and Eatery at Evergreen BC’s First Annual Volunteer Appreciation Party. Really though, what made the night such a success was the company of our dedicated volunteers. We are indebted to our volunteers and were thrilled to host our first organization wide appreciation party to say thank you for all your hard work throughout 2009.
Volunteers and Evergreen enjoying the local food buffet and some good conversation. (Photo: Steph Levy)
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Posted by Allison from Evergreen British Columbia
January 20, 2010
It’s cold. It’s grey. It’s slushy. It’s winter in the city.
But if you find some spicy tea and curl up in a big woolen scarf, there is lots to love about this cozy, reflective time of year. There are plenty of ways to connect to nature too.
We’ll help out by posting tips and tricks for surviving winter, starting with some of Evergreen’s most avid gardeners and how they get their fix during these long, cold months.
Leave a comment and share your strategies!
Winter kale. (Photo: Rebekka Hutton)
Tip #1 Keep Gardening
I asked Evergreen’s Rebekka Hutton, an avid urban gardener who runs community gardens around Toronto, how she makes it through. Not surprisingly, she is still gardening. “I’m still eating kale, thyme, sage and oregano from outside,” she says. “If the leaves look good, I just brush off the snow and bring them in.”
She says that these hardy species just pull through on their own, without much help. Just leave them in the fall and let them be. She has even used a pickaxe to liberate carrots from the frozen ground. “They thaw out at room temperature and taste great.”
Tip #2 Read and Learn More
Rebekka also says that winter is a great time to read all the great gardening books she doesn’t have time to read during the growing season. “Right now I’m reading Eliot Coleman’s Winter Harvest Handbook. It’s really inspiring and is giving me lots of ideas for next season.”
Tip #3 Reflect and Plan
Doing a seed inventory in preparation for seed exchanges is another way Rebekka connects to her garden and plans for the season.
And with the new year just beginning, Rebekka says it is the perfect time to start a fresh garden journal. When the season begins she’ll be ready to jot down her thoughts and experiences to review this time next year.
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Posted by Erin from Communications
January 14, 2010
A delicious dessert served up at the Slovenian Home Association party (Photo: Alix Aylen)
As 2010 begins to unfold, it’s a perfect time for reflection and sharing. Talking to staff around the office, my colleagues Zanita and Alix who manage our community grant program had a great story of how they ended up at the Slovenian Home Association Christmas Banquet this past December. The two of them had incredible tales of how they were treated to a night of dancing to a live Slovenian rock band, great company and a four course meal. How Zanita and Alix came to know the Slovenian Home Association is the best part.
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1 Comment | Stewardship and Planting, Toronto | Permalink
Posted by Colin from Common Grounds
January 13, 2010
Come walking in our winter wonderland! (Photo: Annie MacLeod)
Join Evergreen and Lost Rivers this Sunday, January 17 at 2 pm for a free guided tour around the Don Valley Brick Works Park. Learn about the lost rivers in the area, Yellow Creek and Mud Creek. Explore the history and future of this inspiring site, and get the latest information on the Evergreen Brick Works project.
Meet at the Glen Road exit from the Sherbourne subway station.
Route: We will follow Milkmen’s Lane to Park Drive Reservation, Moore Park ravine and the Don Valley Brick Works for warm drinks, winter tales and rambles through the Brick Works Park.
Led by Annie MacLeod, Evergreen, and John Wilson, Bring Back the Don.
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Posted by Erin from Communications
January 12, 2010
Create an outdoor classroom at your school. (Photo: Robert Christie)
Looking to green your school ground? Need some money for trees, shrubs, seating or vegetable gardens?
The Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds program can help you. You can receive up to $2,000 for your public school, but time is running out. Hurry to meet the deadline of this Friday, January 15, 2010!
Click here for more information and to access the funding application.
Leave a Comment » | Funding, News, School Ground Greening | Permalink
Posted by Sarah from Learning Grounds
January 4, 2010
The challenge: balance farming with conservation. (Photo: Erin Elliott)
Happy New Year! The blog is back after a holiday break, and today we bring you some thoughts on Ontario’s Greenbelt, from Geoff Cape, Evergreen’s executive director:
After eating too much over the Christmas holiday I am looking to the new year, thinking about food, and recalling a recent article by Jessica Leeder, published in the Globe and Mail on Tuesday, December 22, 2009: Farmers Fleeing Ontario’s Greenbelt. Her article explored the challenges we face in balancing environmental conservation and farmland on the Greenbelt. The challenge is real.
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2 Comments | Food, Issues, Notes from Geoff, Toronto | Permalink
Posted by Erin from Communications
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
Lisa from Evergreen Brick Works