Change is Just Down the Road
By Ingrid Sorensen
July 10th, 2010
Discussions of sustainability have an unfortunate tendency to be followed by feelings of stagnancy and futility. I recall a quote by Rex Weyler summing this up that said “Future generations are going to look back at us and think of us as barbarians … And what’s worse, we know what we’re doing. We have the science.” Guy Duancey opened the Sustainable Transportation Forum with the end of oil. This time was different though; the end of oil wasn’t a doomsday. In fact, Dauncey said “The golden age of harmony with nature lies in front of us.” When he said that, it seems as though all things inversed. The world is not full of cannots; it is full of possibilities. And indeed, we do have the science.
Duancey was accompanied by Elizabeth May of the Green Party, who spoke about the need for policy coherence between all three levels of government and the benefits of mass transit for a number of social groups. Sue Hallack followed May with an explaination of a corridor strategy, which would increase transit, cycling, and pedestrian infrastructure on major routes in the Capital Regional …
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The Organic Island Festival is in Full Swing!
By Ingrid Sorensen
July 10th, 2010
What a beautiful morning! The morning dew glistens in the shrubs, the sky is clear and the sun is hot, and in the midst of the lush beautiful foliage here at Glendale Gardens, activity has exploded! The Organic Islands Festival is in full swing running today and tomorrow. Tents have mushroomed all over with a mass of activities and information to explore. The song of the birds swooping over Viaduct Lake will soon mingle with the sweet sounds of great folk musicians set to play for the day and will set the back drop for the sustainable transportation forum, about to take place in just over two hours.
Don’t miss your chance to explore over 100 great exhibitors and the diverse flora here at Glendale Gardens…. The organic ice cream and the green drinks await.

Tags: ecofriendly, Organic, sustainability
Posted in Exhibitors, Festival, Greening, Inspirations, Program | 1 Comment »
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Powered by the Sun
By Ingrid Sorensen
July 9th, 2010
With the popularization of many alternative forms of energy, the number of solar-powered gadgets ranging from those cute little gardens lamps to even potentially solar powered cameras is not surprising. What may be unbeknownst to you is that with the help of Kevin Pegg and EA Energy Alternatives Ltd, the Organic Islands Festival has its very own solar power plant. This miniature power plant will produce 6 – 8 kWh over the weekend. That’s enough to power over 7 laptops, a cash machine, several blenders, a cooler, a gelato cart and plenty more, all present in the village at the festival.
Tags: energy, Local, sustainability
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Our Soil, Ourselves
By justine leonhardt
June 14th, 2010
Before the first leaf of basil is pulled and even before it begins to germinate, the soil is where the process begins. Soil nurtures growth and is responsible for maintaining a healthy plant. Local author and organic gardener Carolyn Herriot’s explanation of soil in “The Zero-Mile Diet: A Year-Round Guide to Growing Organic Food” can [...]
Tags: education, Food, nature, Organic
Posted in Festival, Great Ideas, Greening, Inspirations, This year's program | 2 Comments »
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Junior Master Gardener – Summer Camp
By Chris Burdge
July 4th, 2009
Our first experience with the Organic Islands Festival was three years ago. I can’t recall how we found out about it but we were pretty thrilled by what we saw when we arrived.
Upon entering the festival that first time back in 2006 we were initial stunned by the beauty of Glendale Gardens (we are now [...]
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Green Commitment grows at Organic Islands
By Debra Morse
June 29th, 2009
Did you know that most of the festival is solar powered?
Most locations at the festival are powered by a solar power station. EA Energy Alternatives solar power station and educational display is powering the main stage and exhibits in The Village. Another EA power station will be service the half-acre Children’s Village and Storytellers Stage. [...]
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