April 2023
IN THIS ISSUE
- Access funding for community-led climate actions
- Celebrate Earth Day
- Join the Walk30 challenge
- Support the Rain City strategy
WHAT WE’RE READING:
Did you know heat pump sales outpaced furnaces powered by gas (a fossil fuel) in the US in 2022? Read this “heat pump revolution” article from the Guardian, and check out incentives and supports available to help Vancouver homeowners make the switch through our Home Energy Navigator Program.
NOTEWORTHY:
This April, the City is launching engagement for the Bute Greenway and Portside Greenway projects, which aim to create safe and comfortable walking, rolling and cycling routes with access to public spaces and green infrastructure along the way. Learn more and have your say by taking the Bute survey (until April 30) and Portside survey (April 18 until May 25).
Is your school registered for Bike to School Week yet? Parents, teachers and school administrators can register their school for this fun, free event that celebrates active travel, taking place from May 29 to June 2. Be sure to sign-up early so there is time to organize your school’s participation.
FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY-LED CLIMATE ACTION
Do you have an idea for a climate action-related project that needs funding?
Two funding programs – one for individuals, and one for organizations – are currently accepting applications for climate action-related work in the community:
- Greenest City Neighbourhood Small Grants provide funding of up to $500 to support individuals with small-scale-neighbour-led community projects that contribute to climate and sustainability goals in Vancouver, including cutting carbon pollution, implementing zero waste strategies, growing local food, and improving access to nature, clean air and water.
- The Walk Bike Roll Community Partnership provides financial support between $500 and $5000 to organizations in Vancouver looking to increase active travel (walking, cycling or rolling including wheelchair, skateboard, or scooter) within disproportionately impacted communities. Preference will be given to projects that build community capacity to grow and sustain an active travel culture.
Find out about your eligibility for these two grants and apply online.
- Greenest City Neighbourhood Small Grants applications are due April 18, with community-specific information available here.
- The Walk Bike Roll Community Partnership applications are due April 30.
SUPPORTING: CLIMATE EMERGENCY, CLIMATE ADAPTATION
EARTH DAY
April 22 marks the 53rd anniversary of Earth Day. First held in 1970, Earth Day has grown to include more than one billion people in 93 countries demonstrating their support for environmental protection.
This year, the Earth Day theme is ‘Invest in our Planet’, continuing last year’s focus on the effects of the climate crisis and the need for accelerated solutions. The City of Vancouver is working to advance bold climate action year-round through our Climate Emergency Action Plan and Climate Change Adaptation Strategy. We recently shared our progress in a presentation to Council as a part of our 2022 Climate Emergency Action Plan Annual Report and staff are currently preparing a climate budget to help inform Vancouver’s future investment decisions.
In recognition of Earth Day 2023, Vancouver City Council also recently directed staff to explore the creation of an incentive pilot program with innovative solutions to help multi-family buildings reduce their carbon pollution, as well as improve cooling, indoor air quality and resilience through energy retrofits. With 55% of carbon pollution in Vancouver coming from space and water heating in buildings, cutting our carbon pollution in this area is an important investment in our future.
You can do your part to invest in our future by:
- Taking a closer look at your investments and divesting from fossil fuels. Groups like Banking on a Better Future have information available on fossil free investing.
- Engaging in the City’s climate-related policy development and decisions. Watch for opportunities in future editions of this newsletter!
SUPPORTING: CLIMATE EMERGENCY
JOIN THE WALK30 CHALLENGE
There are so many benefits to walking, from improving overall health, to reducing our carbon pollution by switching away from car travel; and with the WALK30 challenge, there are awesome prizes to win too.
Brought to you by Better Environmentally Sound Transportation, WALK30 is a friendly competition to inspire people to walk more, increase overall wellness, make community connections and rethink how we get around. The goal is for participants to walk a minimum of 30 minutes every day for 5 weeks and track their progress. Participants can also win great prizes from local businesses.
Nearly 40% of Vancouver’s carbon pollution comes from burning gasoline and diesel, both fossil fuels, in our vehicles. Through our Climate Emergency Action Plan, we’re working to make Vancouver a safe, accessible and enjoyable city to walk.
YOUR TURN
WALK30 is taking place from April 10 to May 14. You can participate as an individual or with a group of people – see the WALK30 webpage for details and register to start tracking your walking.
Discover many other resources offered by the City to help residents, schools and employers get around by walking and other forms of active travel by visiting our webpage.
SUPPORTING: CLIMATE EMERGENCY
MAJOR SUPPORT FOR RAIN CITY ANNOUNCED
Did you know that by 2050, Vancouver can expect a 20% increase in April showers?
Earlier this month, the City, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation and Government of Canada announced a joint investment of $36,225,000 to support implementation of the Rain City Strategy and better manage Vancouver’s notorious rainfall, which is projected to be more extreme with climate change.
The strategy outlines a series of actions to improve water quality, increase resilience to climate change and enhance City ecosystems using green rainwater infrastructure. Many of these projects are situated in the east of the city, where equity efforts are being made to add more habitat that helps cool neighbourhoods and supports more species.
Initial projects under the Rain City Strategy include Tatlow Park stream restoration, Still Creek Watershed enhancement and St. George Rainway.
YOUR TURN
Here’s how you can help ensure our drainage systems and green rainwater infrastructure are performing at their best:
- Keep water flowing into local rain gardens by keeping humans and pets away from them.
- Become a Green Streets volunteer to care for street gardens that help manage rainwater and support biodiversity.
- Adopt a catch basin to prevent localized flooding and trash washing into waterways.
SUPPORTING: RAIN CITY STRATEGY, CLIMATE ADAPTATION
When attending in-person events please follow COVID-19 health & safety precautions.
Earth Day- Related Events
Bike the Blossoms
April 22
Join Velopalooza for a leisurely bike ride though the tunnels of stunning hot pink Kanzan cherry blossom cultivar on the east-side.
Trout Lake Park
Earth Fest 2023
April 22
From 11am-3pm, get hands-on with plant weaving, mason bee care, nature talks, creating seed ‘bombs’, and more exciting environmental booth activities.
Everett Crowley Park
Forest Bathing
April 22
Step into nature, take a deep breath of fresh forest air and let your body relax. Awaken your senses and experience the Japanese practice of forest bathing in this urban park oasis.
Pacific Spirit Park
Art in the Garden at VanDusen
April 22
Learn to draw birds with illustrator Bea Martin at this all-ages drawing workshop.
VanDusen Botanical Garden
Transit for the Planet with TransLink
April 22
Celebrate Earth Day by leaving the car behind and taking transit: visit TransLink’s website to learn more about the campaign and plan your route with their Trip Planner tool.
Citywide
Wetlands for Climate Workshop
April 23
Explore Vancouver’s newest wetland as part of a special Earth Day workshop with Environmental Youth Alliance on the role wetlands play in climate change mitigation.
Strathcona Community Gardens
EcoStewards
April 23
Join Stanley Park Ecology Society and other volunteers for a special Earth Day event to help manage the invasive species in Stanley Park.
Stanley Park
Other Events
Litter Cleanup Challenge
Until April 22
Pick-up a cleanup kit and join the litter challenge. Submit a photo of your cleanup to enter a prize draw.
Online info
Wonders of the Salish Sea
April 17 & 24
Awaken your sense of wonder and foster a deep connection with the Salish Sea ecosystem through the last two sessions of this 4-session environmental education program.
Online
Zahra Biabani: Climate Optimism
April 27
Join activist and influencer Zahra Biabani, for an event on her new book, Climate Optimism: Celebrating Systemic Change Around the World.
Online
Get Messy in the Garden
May 3
Kids can experience the science and magic of gardening. Enjoy fun activities like seed identification and learning to pot your own plant.
VPL’s Collingwood Branch
Seeds and Senses
May 8
Kids: tap into your senses. Create your own recipes, start a mini herb garden and make a seed necklace.
VPL's Renfrew Branch
Zero Waste Fair
May 20
Register early for this almost sold-out zero waste event hosted by SPEC, including seminars and workshops, bike tune-ups and a repair café.
Killarney Community Centre
Volunteer as a Zero Waste Fixer
Do you have a knack for fixing electronics or repairing worn out clothes? Become a volunteer fixer at the City sponsored Repair Café events to help participants fix their belongings. Learn more by contacting repaircafe@spec.bc.ca.
Various
Farmers Markets
Saturdays and Sundays
Three farmers markets selling healthy, locally grown food are open at locations across Vancouver with more opening soon. Visit the website to plan your visit and learn about the farmers, food producers and creators.
Hastings Park, Riley Park, Trout Lake
Volunteer with the Bicycle Valet
Ongoing
The Bicycle Valet’s volunteer team provides informative resources and valet-style parking at events in and around Vancouver. Join the team to support Vancouver’s cycling community and get free entrance to events.
In person events, sign up online
Streetwise Cycling Online
Any time
New to cycling? This free educational series from HUB helps adult beginner riders gain knowledge and skills to start their cycling journey at their own pace with confidence.
Online
SPEC Team Meetings
Various
Want to connect with other like-minded individuals and share your knowledge on energy and transportation, food growing, or waste? Check the link for Society Promoting Environmental Conservation meet-up topics and meeting dates.
Online
Connect and learn more
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