This edition of EcoNews gives you a first peek at our new Tula Farm garden project where Syrian refugees recently planted their first Canadian crops, we toast our Fundy BayKeeper for winning the Gulf of Maine Council’s 2016 Visionary Award, and introduce you to a fresh crop of new ministers.
We’re also thrilled to tell you about our sweet Summertime fundraiser where you can win a handmade outdoor cedar playhouse delivered right to your front door.
We report on Chef Michael Smith who says Atlantic Canadian cuisine can save rural economies and give you a brief summary of the Ontario’s Climate Change Action plan.
Our own Tula Farm project has a new community garden for Syrian refugee families
Last Saturday, the Conservation Council’s Tula Farm project and the Multicultural Association of Fredericton (MCAF) kicked off our exciting new garden project with a planting day where members from nine Syrian families came to spread compost, till the land, make rows, and plant crops like corn, potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers, radishes, carrots and beans.
Read all about our first planting day at Tula Farm here.
Looking to learn more about garden projects in New Brunswick?
Check out the recent efforts made by Telus employees and community volunteers to help fight child hunger at the Baptist-King Edward School in Saint John by building five planting boxes the school will use in its lunch program, here.
Also, read about the the Campbellton Community Garden’s Entrepreneurial program currently being offered to children, here.
Fundy Baykeeper Wins Visionary Award
Our Fundy Baykeeper, Matt Abbott wins this year’s Gulf of Maine Council’s 2016 Visionary Award.
Each year, the Gulf of Maine Council Visionary Award is presented to an individual or organization within each of the five Gulf of Maine jurisdictions of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
The Award recognizes innovation, creativity, and commitment to marine protection by businesses, environmental organizations, or individuals who are making a difference to the health of the Gulf of Maine. Way to go, Matt!
Read more here.
Introducing a fresh crop of NB Cabinet Ministers
The Hon. Serge Rouselle (MLA – Tracadie-Sheila) has taken over the role of NB Minister of Environment . Minister Rouselle will no doubt quickly tackle a number of pressing environmental policy areas, including:
- championing a water protection strategy through cabinet, which would include acting quickly to get our river systems classified and a new system to ensures groundwater is not polluted; and,
- moving forward on climate change and ensure we put in place a plan that reduces carbon pollution, positions NB as a regional leader on action to green our electricity system, and creates new green jobs in renewable energy and efficiency.
The Hon. Rick Doucette (MLA – Fundy-The Isles- Saint John West) has taken over the newly created Department of Energy and Resources. Doucette will be maintaining his role as Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries.
Several issues face Minister Doucette. Among them will be making changes to the Crown forest management strategy to ensure long term ecological sustainability for our forests while creating new green jobs, and announcing a new local food strategy for New Brunswick.
Read our full statement here.
Summertime Raffle: Win a Children’s Outdoor Cedar Playhouse
It’s summertime, and the living is outside. The Conservation Council of New Brunswick has organized a sweet Summertime Raffle fundraiser. ONE lucky winner will receive a handmade outdoor cedar playhouse delivered right to their front door (or backyard). A prize valued at $2000.
In fact, this child-sized outdoor playhouse was hand-crafted right here in New Brunswick by a local family of generous and talented CCNB members and supporters.
Grab your raffle tickets, here.
Celebrity Chef says Atlantic Canadian Cuisine is the key to saving rural communities
After working for two-years as a chef in New York restaurants, Atlantic Canadian chef Michael Smith took a leap of faith and started his own traditional food experience in Prince Edward Island that now has customers reserving flights to the remote island just to get a taste.
Now Chef Smith says people living in rural communities have the region’s economic comeback growing in their backyard. Maritimers just need to revitalize the region’s rich history of authentic cuisine and follow his example — wait for them to come to us.
Read more here.
Ontario’s climate change plan – laying the foundation for decarbonization
The province of Ontario will spend up to $8.3 billion in the next five years on accelerating the transition to a clean energy future. Incentives will be offered to the province’s residents and businesses to get carbon out of homes, buildings and transportation. The Ontario government has also committed to going carbon neutral by reducing its own greenhouse gas emissions in their facilities, operations and procurement.
Read this briefing note written by the Conservation Council’s Dr. Louise Comeau on Ontario’s Climate Action Plan here.