grandriverca — April 25, 2010 — Third year of the Guelph Rotary Forest tree planting project at Guelph Lake Conservation Area. Families, groups, clubs and individuals volunteer each year on Earth Day to create a 40-hectare forest over 12 years. People of all ages and backgrounds come out for this event. A very special thank you to the Funky Mamas, who performed at this event for use of their song "Breathe in the Air." ... continue reading.

Sometimes people ask me how I became the way that I did with regards to the environment. It is a good question because I have been this way for a very long time. I was "into" the environment long before it became the hip thing to do. Long before Al Gore documentaries, Earth Hour and green blogs. Back when cloth diapering was cool (before it became uncool then cool again) and we didn't know the dangers of plastics and GMO's. What I mean is that I have always been an environmentalist. As a child it was just part of my upbringing. As an adult I chose to make it a bigger part of my life...my career...my passion. ... continue reading.

It takes a lot of time, money and research to be green. Waste - do you think it is fun to take the composting out in the middle of the winter? Heck no. In fact we both let it go as long as possible in hopes that the other person will finally give in and take it out. I rarely win this game. I try to entice Joe by pulling out the bin and putting it by the back door. I know he sees it there, but one look at the snow outside and he can just forget that it is there. How much easier would it be to just toss our compostables in with the rest of the garbage ... continue reading.

Yep you read that right. Ecotraction. I first heard about this product from a colleague who saw it on CBC's Dragon's Den.  What is it exactly? It is a green alternative to salt, sand and de-icers. That means you get to have all the benefits of a slip free walkway/driveway this winter and don't have to worry about the impact you are having on the environment.   ... continue reading.

Toronto - Interested to see firsthand the creativity it takes to rehabilitate an abandoned brick factory into an environmental community centre, His Royal Highness Prince Charles requested that a visit of Evergreen Brick Works be included in his 11-day Canadian tour.An environmentalist and avid organic farmer, Prince Charles was welcomed this morning at the Brick Works by local farmers and Toronto's business leaders.    Evergreen Brick Works' champion, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty also attended the tour with His Royal Highness to be updated on the site's development."Evergreen Brick Works is globally unique as well as an inspiration to others to explore new and innovative ways to look at our relationship with nature," says Evergreen Executive Director Geoff Cape. "The down-to-earth experiential ... continue reading.

There is a new board on a chat board I frequent called Green Living. When it first started up I popped over to read what was going on. I have posted a few times but find that I just can not relate to a lot of the posts. Lately it has had me questioning how green I really am. I use shampoo, I wash my face and use a moisturizer. I don't make my own deodorant, I use Colgate and for the love of all things holy I do not use the Diva Cup.Does this make me a bad environmentalist? ... continue reading.

SavedByBikes.com: A new approach for an old problemBy Nathan ShawA bicycle is not just a bicycle to Steve Inniss. It's our future.Tucked away in one of Canada's busiest office towers in downtown Toronto, Inniss has just opened a new store that aims to change the face of North American commuting and make us all greener - one bike at a time.SavedByBikes.com is the exclusive Canadian distributor for STRiDA - a revolutionary folding bicycle. Aimed at commuters, or city dwellers whose storage space may be limited, the STRiDA bicycle is made up of a unique rustproof triangular construction, which folds and unfolds in 5 seconds flat. Instead of a chain, it has an oil-free belt made from Kevlar, so those wearing ... continue reading.

High Park subway station one of many local gateways to great pleasure cycling. Toronto // Starting July 13, a new public awareness website - www.bikesandtransit.com - aims to help cyclists get the most out of GTA transit, and in doing so discover great, local cycling daytrips from Pickering to Toronto to Burlington, and beyond. “With GO Transit and Toronto Transit Commission buses joining commuter trains, subways and motor coaches carrying bicycles this summer,” says Donald Wiedman, founder of Bikes+Transit.com, “local tourism and clean air are in for a big boost.” “If you live within biking distance of a subway, a lakeshore train, a GO Bus, and soon all TTC buses,” he continues, “you are actually linked by transit to hundreds ... continue reading.

Toronto - Ontarians who think they are supporting Ontario farmers by buying wine sold as "Cellared in Canada" are unknowingly supporting foreign grapes or grape products, the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance warns. Under the current Ontario law, Cellared in Canada wines can contain up to 70% foreign grapes or grape product.    "In a time when there is tremendous support for local food and famers, our province's grape growers are getting the short end of the vine," said Dr. Rick Smith, Executive Director, Environmental Defence, a member group of the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance.   Under the Wine Content and Labeling Act, Ontario wineries are able to buy inexpensive finished wine from off-shore vendors and create a product labeled as "Cellared in ... continue reading.

Walsingham, ON – The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) hosted its seventh Conservation Volunteers event of the season with a group of 20 keen participants planting 1,240 trees and ten kilograms of acorns on retired agricultural fields at NCC’s Demaere property this past Saturday, benefitting species at risk including Hooded Warbler and Eastern Hog-nosed Snake. “This event has helped to advance necessary restoration efforts on the property,” noted Mhairi McFarlane, NCC’s Southwestern Ontario Science and Stewardship Coordinator. “Volunteers are instrumental in helping us complete our day-to-day management work and this weekend’s crew was really enthusiastic which always makes for a fun and productive day.” Located in the Southern Norfolk Sand Plain, this area has the highest level of intact forest ... continue reading.