NOVEMBER 2024

IN THIS ISSUE

Share your thoughts on Vancouver’s Villages
Adopt a catch basin
Learn about climate risks with the Hazard & Risk Explorer
Celebrate Sustainability Scholars research

NOTEWORTHY
Interested in learning how to identify, report and prevent the spread of invasive plants on your property? Metro Vancouver has developed best management practice guides in collaboration with the Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver and other organizations to address invasive plants, one of the leading causes for our loss of biodiversity. Read the guides or take a free online course to learn more.

Greenest City news

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON VANCOUVER’S VILLAGES

As the City of Vancouver works to meet urgent housing needs and create more livable and sustainable neighbourhoods, we're inviting the public to share their thoughts on 17 future Villages.

What’s a Village? Picture a lively smaller-scale neighbourhood with a mix of low-rise housing types, a block or two of businesses and services, and vibrant public spaces – all within a short walk, roll or bike ride from home or work.

Goals of the Villages Planning Program include:

Adding ‘missing middle’ housing for different income levels and family sizes, making Villages more diverse and inclusive.
Growing commercial opportunities by adding retail spaces – creating lively neighbourhoods that draw more people to support local businesses in the area.
Shaping complete, connected neighbourhoods by bringing more of what people need close to home, reducing reliance on personal vehicles and encouraging active transportation and transit use.

Villages will help put more Vancouver residents within an easy walk or roll to their daily needs, contributing to the Climate Emergency Action Plan’s Complete Neighborhood goal.

YOUR TURN

We want to hear what you love about Village areas and what changes would help these neighbourhoods thrive in the future. This feedback will contribute to shaping early directions of a draft plan.

Take the survey until January 3, 2025.
Attend an in-person or virtual open house starting November 20.
Sign up for the project mailing list.

SUPPORTING: CLIMATE EMERGENCY

Greenest City news

ADOPT A CATCH BASIN THIS FALL

Heavy rain, combined with fallen leaves and other debris can clog catch basins and lead to flooding and ponding in our streets. Join the Adopt a Catch Basin program and become part of a growing team of 2,400 adopters that keep over 6,800 catch basins clear throughout the year.

When you adopt a catch basin, you’re helping your community and local ecosystems by:

Reducing flooding and keeping streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
Minimizing the risks of pollutants flowing into local streams and wildlife habitat.
Protecting homes and businesses from the impacts of flooding.

Extreme rainfall events are projected to increase in frequency and severity due to climate change. Through our Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, the City is taking action to prepare for these climate risks, and residents can help create a more resilient Vancouver by taking care of catch basins in their communities.

YOUR TURN

Consider one of the over 39,000 catch basins that need adopting and follow these three easy steps:

Choose and name your catch basin.
Check your inbox for a welcome package.
Let the catch basin care begin.

Be sure to follow the safety guidelines and use a rake, broom or shovel (not your hands) to clear leaves and debris blocking your catch basin. If you’re unable to clear the clog and it’s causing flooding, report it online or by using the Van311 app.

SUPPORTING: CLIMATE ADAPTATION, RAIN CITY STRATEGY

Greenest City news

LEARN ABOUT CLIMATE RISKS WITH THE NEW HAZARD & RISK EXPLORER

Check out the recently launched Hazard & Risk Explorer to learn how hazards like earthquakes, extreme heat, wildfire smoke and coastal flooding, could impact you and what you can do to prepare for them. Through this interactive tool, you can discover how each risk could impact your neighbourhood, how you can prepare and protect yourself and what steps the City is taking to mitigate and prepare for these hazards today and into the future.

The Hazard & Risk Explorer can help you:

Create a plan to protect those who are disproportionately impacted
Prepare your home and gather supplies for each hazard
Find cleaner air spaces, cooling centres and other City resources

Our risks are changing: climate change is increasing the frequency, severity, and duration of many hazards. The Hazard & Risk Explorer builds on the work of the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, which provides the City’s overall approach to prepare Vancouver for 5 climate hazards including extreme heat, poor air quality, drought, extreme rainfall, and sea level rise.

YOUR TURN

Take the Emergency Preparedness Survey until November 15. Share your thoughts and help shape the future of emergency preparedness and climate hazard education programs in the city.
Download the Altertable app. This free public alerting app will notify you with clear, direct instructions in the case of local emergencies and urgent incidents.
Attend an emergency preparedness workshop on November 20 or December 10.
Read the printable hazard fact sheets with critical risk and preparedness information for four top hazards. Available in 12 languages.

SUPPORTING: CLIMATE ADAPTATION

Greenest City news

CELEBRATING SUSTAINABILITY SCHOLARS RESEARCH

The City is pleased to reflect back on another summer of successful research through the Sustainability Scholars program.

Since 2010, the UBC Sustainability Hub and the City of Vancouver have worked together to provide UBC graduate students an opportunity to work on projects that advance climate action and sustainability in Vancouver. Over 250 projects have been completed to date, with many providing valuable research that supports implementation of the Climate Emergency Action Plan, Climate Adaptation Strategy, Healthy City Strategy, Equity Framework, and more.

A few examples of the projects completed this year include:

Improving accessibility at rapid transit stations and plazas
Improving Bicycle and Scooter Parking at Elementary and High Schools in Vancouver
Research to quantify the carbon capture of street infrastructure assets

YOUR TURN

Interested in learning more? Check out this year’s Scholar reports in UBC’s project library.

The 2025 Sustainability Scholars program is just around the corner. If you're a UBC graduate student, check UBC's webpage for an information session in January to learn how to apply for the summer 2025 program.

SUPPORTING: CLIMATE EMERGENCY, ADAPTATION

Local green opportunities

Fall Planting and Blackberry Blast
November 16
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or first-time planter, join Still Moon Arts Society for an afternoon of removing invasive blackberry bushes, planting native species and supporting habitat restoration.
Renfrew Community Park

Douglas Park Community Clean-Up
November 16
Help keep Douglas Park free of litter and debris. Tongs and garbage bags will be provided. Refreshments will be available at the end of the event.
Douglas Park East Field

Covering Climate on the Frontlines Webinar
November 20
Join journalist speakers for a virtual webinar on climate disasters and the stories of survivors. Co-hosted by the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions and the Climate Disaster Project.
Virtual

EcoStewards
November 23 & December 7
Volunteer with the Stanley Park Ecology Society to take part in hands-on invasive species removal and make an important contribution to habitat conservation and restoration.
Stanley Park Ecology Society Office

Everett Crowley Park Stewardship
November 23
Join this monthly stewardship event to remove invasive plants and learn more about the history and ecology of Everett Crowley Park.
Everett Crowley Park

Climate Action Dialogues: Human Health and Well-being
November 26 & 28
Explore how climate action impacts health and well-being in this forum hosted by Metro Vancouver with panelist talks and interactive Q&A sessions.
SFU Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue & Online

“Beaver’s Voice” Virtual Climate Action Youth Forum
November 15-30
Are you part of an Indigenous school, class, or club? Register in this virtual self-paced series of Indigenous-led workshops for grades 5-8 across Canada and learn to take a Two-Eyed Seeing approach to climate change issues.
Virtual

DIY Beeswax Wraps & Zero Waste Workshop
December 8
Learn to make beeswax wraps, an eco-friendly alternative to plastic cling wraps, and other zero waste tips. Registration required, $25 fee for adults, $11 fee for seniors 50+.
False Creek Community Centre

Farmer’s Markets
Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays
Downtown, Kitsilano, and Riley Park farmers’ markets are open for winter! Visit their website to plan your visit and learn about the market’s local farmers, food producers and creators.
Various

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