Green Living: Celebrate Earth Day

Activities + Exhibitors + Guest Speakers:

Things to See & Do:

• A live owl will be on site with OWL Rescue & Rebiliation
• Repair cafe by BRIM & Be the Change.  Don't throw away your items if it can be fixed.
• Neighbourhood cleanup with MESSociety.
• Composting, recycling and craft activites with Archway Recycling.
• Seed Swap 
• Kids seed planting & crafts
• Learn about green textiles with a local knitting group who will weave, spin wool and knit
• An electric car will be on display with BC Hydro.
• Learn about Solar Energy at VREC Solar.
• Learn about hybrid bicycles & other bikes from Independent Cyle or Wentings. 
• Teens and kids can get involved with several of the environmental youth groups.
• Meet various environmental initiatives that all need community support including volunteers and donations.
• Fun Wooden-3D Puzzles will be available for kids to play with at All-Saints Anglican Church Enviromental Group.

Exhibitors include:

• Mission Environmental Stewardship Society
• City of Mission (Parks & Recreation, Forestry, & our Environmental Department)
• United Church Earth Stewards
• All-Saints Anglican Church Environmental Group
• Abbotsford Mission Nature Club
• Archway Recycling
• BC Hydro
• Be the Change Action Circle
• BRIM 
• Footprint Press
• Fortis BC
• Fraser River Sturgeon Society
• Fraser Valley Conservancy
• Fraser Valley Invasive Species Society
• Fraser Valley Watershed Coalition
• Independent Cycles Inc.
• Mission Central Community Garden
• Mission City Farmers Market
• Mission Friendship Centre Society
• OWL Rescue & Rehabilitation Society
• Revoluntionary Knitting Circle - A local knitting group will teach green textiles.
• United Way 
• VREC Solar Energy
• Wentings Cycle & Mountain Shop
• Zero Waste BC
• AND MORE!

GUEST SPEAKERS:

1. Opening Ceremony with Elder Herman Dan & Augusta Gladstone from the Mission Friendship Society.

2. Paul Horn (Mission Mayor) on the environmental charter for the City of Mission.

3. Tim Cooper (PhD, UFV Instructor) on Climate Change. Tim was born in England where he studied physics and math at Exeter University, coming to Canada to complete a PhD in nuclear physics at the University of Alberta. After temporary positions in Indiana, TRIUMF, McGill and Surrey University he started his career at the Ohio State University and then switched to the University College of the Fraser Valley when it started in 1992, becoming UFV just recently.

After teaching for many years (winning the faculty of science teaching prize in 2014) and publishing over 50 research papers in the field of intermediate energy nuclear physics, In 2004 Tim’s attention switched to Global Warming and the dangers to his (and all) kids. Tim has given over 175 presentations on the science, economics, politics and engineering of man-made climate change and solutions.

4. Rob Baxter on Solar Energy.  Rob is a co-founder of Vancouver Renewable Energy where he has provided consulting, design, marketing and project management services for renewable energy systems.  As part of that role he helped initiate and complete the first grid-tie photovoltaic install in the city of Vancouver. Prior to that he owned an IT consulting firm that worked with clients across North America.  He also founded and continues to lead SolShare Energy, the first community investment solar project in BC.    He has been an active member of BCSEA (BC Sustainable Energy Association), was president of SPEC (Society Promoting Environmental Conservation) and has taught a course on solar energy for Langara College Continuing Studies. Rob has an MBA from the University of Western Ontario. He has also completed photovoltaic training at BCIT and ISO 14001 auditing courses accredited by IEMA and ANSI-RAB.    Rob has appeared on CityTV, Global TV, CTV and CBC discussing sustainability and energy issues. He has also spoke at regional green building conferences.

5. Rose Soneff, "Why Onions Should Wear Pantyhose".  Rose is a retired Public Health Dietitian with Interior Health in Kamloops, she worked in the area of Food Security and reducing food waste was a strong area of interest. She was the co-author of the Store It - a guide to storing vegetables and fruits. Over 30% of food, from farm to table is wasted. Rose will present tips on how to reduce your fruit and vegetable waste and what municipalities can do. Rose has a long history of environmentalism, heading up the first Community Garden and  first recycling depot, in Williams Lake, until now, with her xeriscaped garden and eco-friendly home.