Upcoming Events
Wednesday March 3
at 7:00 p.m
Trying to start a family?
Join the Environment Network and Dr. Melissa Vecchio for a discussion about the impact of environmental toxins on fertility and learn ways to boost your chances of conceiving naturally.
We have limited seating so please call 705-446-0551 to reserve your seat.
Past Events
Thursday, September 17
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Zero Waste Tasting
Come out and taste some delicious food and see how easy it is to entertain without creating any garbage. We will be giving a $25 gift certificates to the person that walks/bikes the furthest.
This is a drop in event from 6:30pm - 9:00pm.
Saturday, September 19
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Yellow Fish Road Kids Day
You are invited to participate in an innovative program that our Explorations Green Summer Day Camp has incorporated into their camp activities.
The program reminds people that water running off your lawn, driveway, sidewalk, and road goes directly, untreated into Georgian Bay which is our drinking water source.
We are inviting children (ages 7+) to help paint the "yellow fish" symbols next to storm drains on local streets on Saturday September 19th. All supplies will be provided.
Pre-register by emailing us
Summer Workshop Series:
The Environment Network is hosting a series of Summer Workshops where we help you sort through the facts about the environment. Learn tips and tricks to do at home to help protect our environment and live a healthier lifestyle. Learn how to save money through simple, eco-friendly changes in these workshops with guest speakers from various professions. There will also be a short film played at each session and a raffle for some great eco-products from our Shoppe.
All workshops take place at the Environment Network (44 St. Marie St.) and will be appx. 1.5 hours in length (20-25 minutes per topic) starting at 7:00 pm every other Tuesday starting June 23rd, 2009. No need for a babysitter - we will have a Counsellor from our Day Camp available to keep the kids busy - so bring ‘em along!
June 23 - Pre-register by emailing us
Gardening for Small Spaces
Though small spaces can be challenging and the diversity of wildlife attracted can be more limited than in a larger space, the reward of creating habitat for wildlife even on a small scale is well worth the effort for the touch of nature that it can bring to your doorstep.
Backyard Composting Basics
Every garden needs a backyard compost to maintain soil fertility; learn how to start your own garden compost. We will answer your questions about temperatures, layering, to turn or not to turn and more. Dispel the myths that compost piles are “gross” or “stinky” by learning how to properly maintain your compost pile; you will be amazed at the results. (Your neighbours will too!) Composting is a great way to turn kitchen waste and yard waste into a rich soil conditioner. Compost can improve the soil in your lawn and add nutrients to your garden and plants.
Life without Plastic
Plastic is all around us. It forms much of the packaging for our food and drink. For many of us, it is throughout our home, our workplace, and schools. The widespread use of plastic is causing unprecedented environmental problems, and harbours serious health risks – especially for children. Plastic should be used wisely, with caution and only when suitable alternatives do not exist or are not available. Learn about the alternatives and what you can do to try to live without plastics.
July 7 - Pre-register by emailing us
ecoDriver
If you are concerned about gas costs and the emissions associated with driving, you can help your wallet and the planet at the same time. Delivered in a friendly, “driver-to-driver” manner – EcoDriver will show you several ways to reduce your car’s fuel consumption. And, since there is about a 35% difference between the most fuel-efficient and least fuel-efficient drivers on the road, there is a lot that we can do! Get your tires air pressure checked and filled to the proper PSI to increase your fuel efficiency.
Zero Waste Entertaining
“Zero Waste” Entertaining is a concept that is gaining in familiarity. As we enter the season of backyard picnics, BBQ’s, graduation parties and informal dining, it is a good time to think about zero-waste entertaining. We have all had that tinge of guilt when we discard a styrofoam cup, plastic plates or mounds of packaging that often accompanies events we enjoy. Today, even weddings and large-scale fund-raising events are going to low or no waste.
Organic Gardening and Lawn Care - Do it Naturally!
Interested in a safe, sustainable and pesticide-free lawn and garden? Bring your questions and learn how to have a healthy, attractive, and natural yard. Learn about the pesticide alternatives that are available and what ingredients to watch out for, symptoms and solutions to common problems and take home a spring, summer and fall lawn and garden calendar.
July 21 - Pre-register by emailing us
Greenwashing and Shopping Sustainably
It’s greenwashing when a company or organization spends more time and money claiming to be “green” through advertising and marketing than actually implementing business practices that minimize environmental impact. Learn how to think about your choices from grocery store to hardware store, to work and back home again and make the right decisions on how to spend your money. Learn about the principles and guidelines that every product in our shoppe was subjected to.
Food Choices and Nutrition - Why your Food Choices Matter
Take time to think about where healthy food comes from. Where was it grown, how was it grown and who tended to its growth? Is it fresh? How far did it travel to your grocery bag? Is it processed? How much energy goes into processing and shipping food? Did the original grower make a fair wage? Farmers have families to feed, too. Get to know the faces and places behind your favourite healthy foods.
Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping refers to the conservation of water through creative landscaping. Originally developed for drought-afflicted areas, the principles of xeriscape today have an ever broadening appeal. With water now considered an expensive and limited resource, all landscaping projects, residential or commercial, can benefit from this alternative. Xeriscapes do not have a single look - almost any landscaping style can be achieved. Xeriscape Benefits: saves water, less maintenance, no fertilizers or pesticides, improves property value, provides wildlife habitat.
August 4 - Pre-register by emailing us
Energy Efficiency
Find gold by going green, learn about the financial incentives for eco-friendly home investments. So, although some might think that going green comes at a premium, with available incentives and rebates -- along with affordable financing options and improved energy savings -- doing the right thing for the environment when financing your home isn’t quite so expensive after all.
Cosmetics and Personal Body Care
What’s In Your Products? Think “pure, natural and organic” really means pure, natural and organic? Surprise! Learn about categories of products of particular concern, plus learn to look up safety rankings of the products you use. Bring your top 3 used body care products and we will look up the ingredients for you.
Power to the People - Living off the Grid, Personal Reflections
Living off grid is becoming a goal for many people in Canada. You can live a normal life while tapping into the vast resources of wind and solar energy. Speak with homeowners who have been living off the grid locally for years. It takes time, energy and money to prepare for living off the grid; however, living off the grid can be both financially and emotionally rewarding.
August 18 - Pre-register by emailing us
Life without Plastic
Plastic is all around us. It forms much of the packaging for our food and drink. For many of us, it is throughout our home, our workplace, our car and the bus we take to and from work. It can be in our clothing, eyeglasses, teeth, computers, phones, dishes, utensils, toys. The list goes on. The widespread use of plastic is also causing unprecedented environmental problems, and harbours serious health risks – especially for children. Plastic should be used wisely, with caution and only when suitable alternatives do not exist or are not available. Learn about the alternatives and what you can do to try to live plastic free.
Back to School Eco-style
Going back to school not only means class registration and mentally gearing up for another year of concentrated learning; it usually involves a good deal of shopping. Texbooks are just the beginning- the little things like pencils, pens, paper, and notebooks, can really add up- for your wallet and for the environment. Learn how to make greener choices this year and go back to school in sustainable academic style. Lots of tips and ideas on how to prepare a litterless lunch for the kids (and you too!)
September 8 - Pre-register by emailing us
Greening Your Office Makes Good Business Sense
A greener workplace can mean a lighter ecological footprint, a healthier and more productive place to work, and good news for the bottom line. Whether you’re the boss or the employee, whether your office is green already or still waiting to see the light, some practical steps can lay the groundwork for a healthy, low-impact workspace.
Active and Safe Routes to School
If the current trends continue we may no longer have a generation that will remember walking to school. School areas, in many communities, have become traffic nightmares and all too frequently we hear children becoming victims of collisions right outside their school. Congested roads and parking lots are abundant in our very walkable community which is also leading to increased air pollution. Active and Safe Routes to School is a program designed to assist school communities in encouraging safe and active travel to and from school.
Food Choices and Nutrition - Why your Food Choices Matter
Take time to think about where healthy food comes from. Where was it grown, how was it grown and who tended to its growth? Is it fresh? How far did it travel to your grocery bag? Is it processed? How much energy goes into processing and shipping food? Did the original grower make a fair wage? Farmers have families to feed, too. Get to know the faces and places behind your favourite healthy foods.
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