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 District. Several other speakers provided statistics on transportation and on the economics of sustainable transportation. The alternative forms of transportation discussed truly were endless: electric tricycles, ride-sharing, cycling (electric and manual), light rail, pedestrian traffic, electric vehicles, solar airplanes, biofuels and many more.

And if you have a doubt about the changing face of transportation, why not take a stroll down to the valet bike parking? There you’ll find just under 100 reasons that change is on the horizon and the golden era is on its way.

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.

The Organic Island Festival is waiting for you!

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, the main stage and plenty more, all present in the village at the festival.

Solar power is energy that is captured in sunlight and converted into electricity. Specifically, when light energy hits a solar panel composed of different layers of silicon, electrons move between the layers and thus generate an electric current. An archetype of bio-mimicry, solar power is actually one of the most reliable forms of alternative energy. The pathways and angles of the sun, after all, have been constant for millennia. And, recent research shows that Southeastern Ontario alone has the potential to produce nearly 90 gigawatts of electricity from solar power – that’s nearly the equivalent produced from nuclear power in all of the United States! Today, we power the Organic Islands Festival but tomorrow, the possibilities are endless.

To speak to the expert, drop by the EA Energy Alternatives power station at the Organic Islands Festival.

Chemical fertilizers and pesticides can upset this balance and diminish the quality of the soil. The result, what I call ‘simplified’ soil, is frequently used for growing our plants and vegetables. Due to this modern-day commodification of food, we are often times not even aware of what exactly we are consuming, and because of this our connection to the earth is weakening. By developing a basic understanding of the soil-food web and becoming aware of what is unnecessarily being put on and in our soil, we can grow healthier and stronger foods that better nourish us while gaining control over what we put into our bodies. Not only does this knowledge of the soil and its very specific process give us more power in our day to day lives, it can aid in re-establishing our connection to the earth and cementing our individual responsibility to it.

A recipe for your soil:

Lynda’s Black Magic Tea

4 Tbsp (60 ml) Liquid Fish Emulsion
1 Tbsp. (15 mL) Seaweed Liquid Concentrate
1 Tbsp (15 mL) Blackstrap Molasses (feeds micro-organisms)
Whisk into 1 gallon (4.5 L) of water. Water in around roots of plants freely.

Thank you to Carolyn Herriot and Harbour Publishing for recipes and information from “The Zero-Mile Diet: A Year-Round Guide to Growing Organic Food.” You can attend the book launch  on July 10^th, 2010 at 2:30 PM at the Organic Islands Festival in Victoria, BC.

Upon entering the festival that first time back in 2006 we were initial stunned by the beauty of Glendale Gardens (we are now season’s pass holders), and then the Children’s Garden which is right near the entrance.  Step through the vine covered archway into a miniature, magical world of kids vegetable and herb gardens. Everyone got a kick out of the “thyme” out bench.

The kids giggled at the garden beds made from beds and cribs and played endlessly with the water pump, and poked at the toy animals on the living roof of the hut.

The upshot of their little adventure was registration in the Junior Master Gardener’s program for our, then 7-year old daughter. She got so much out of the 1-week gardening camp that we enrolled her again the following year.

She learned how to plant and care for seeds, flowers and vegetables.  But more importantly she  enjoyed the experience of working with the earth, and with her hands and gained an understanding of where food comes from that you can’t get from books. She also made a couple of close friends.

I highly recommend the Junior Master Gardener camps to anyone with children between 7-10 years of age. The courses are:

• July 13th – 17th  from 9am – noon
• August 10th – 14th

The curriculum includes:

• soils and water
• fruits and vegetables
• ecology and environmental horticulture
• plant growth and development wildlife
• literature in the garden
• health and nutrition

The cost is $100.00 for 15 hours of instruction.  To register or for more information call 250-479-6162.

Written by Chris Burdge (BWEST Interactive)

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. Be sure to check out EA educational display and the meter measuring power usage at the festival. And enjoy the WeGo Solar hot water hand station in the Village!

Did you know everything that can be recycled or composted is? We strive to first reduce the amount of waste generated and then divert as much of it as possible from the landfill. And we track and decrease the amount generated each year. reFUSE, a local Victoria waste management company, is supplying containers for all kinds of materials to help support our Zero Waste Commitment. Volunteers at each waste station ensure that festival visitors dispose of waste in the proper container to avoid contaimination.

Did you know food service and sampling containers are 100% compostable? All food vendors at the festival sampling or serving food are REQUIRED to use compostable/biodegradable supplies. All plates and utensils will be sorted and sent to the composting facility.Our supplier is BSI – Biodegradable Solutions who is also an exhibitor at the festival.

Did you know the festival shuttle runs on biodiesel? Tofino Bus is providing shuttle service every hour starting at 9:30 am at Douglas and Finlayson, 9:45 am at Camosun Interurban Loop, and 10 am at Royal Oak Exchange. Visit Getting There on the website for schedules and pick-up locations.

Did you know that the festival offers valet bike parking? Chain, Chain, Chain will provide secure bike parking by donation for stress-free festival enjoyment at the Interurban entrance only. This entrance is accessible from Interurban Road, and from the Glendale Trail which is a bike trail that is part of the Centennial Trail system in the City of Saanich.