April 2008
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FacebookBy Lauren Mangion
Calgary’s communities are sprawling in every direction. Most have given little thought to sustainability. A few, however, have paused and examined themselves. As a result, they’re boosting community pride, increasing community involvement, and ensuring their continued prosperity.
The three communities described here are exemplary. The projects they’ve initiated are progressive yet – with a little determination and organization – easily duplicated in the one place on Earth where sustainability will always be of greatest importance: your community.
ImagineOAKRIDGE
While working with ImagineCALGARY, a long-term project asking Calgarians to envision their city 100 years hence, Sarah Arthurs decided to do the same within her own community of Oakridge. With funding from the Calgary Foundation, ImagineOAKRIDGE was soon underway.
Sarah describes Oakridge as “suburban heaven.” She felt the community already had a lot going for it, including green belts, bike paths, natural landmarks, and an engaged populace. Yet she felt it could build upon these strengths.
Last fall, the community held its first workshop. It was immediately obvious how much everyone valued living in one of Calgary’s greenest communities. They proposed celebrating it as “The Jewel of Calgary.” Other ideas included…
- Making Oakridge a self-sustaining, 24/7 urban village.
- Improving relations with the neighbouring Tuu Tsina Nation.
- Providing more services for seniors and enlisting their involvement in community development.
- Creating “third spaces” where people can meet and discuss issues related to the common good.
When asked if she would recommend the process to other communities, “Go for it!” was Arthurs’ enthusiastic response.
“The imagine process opens people as a community to more than just their own tight little worlds,” she added.
“It unleashes huge potential for making our communities greener, more connected and creative.”
“But it takes a fair amount of involvement and engagement, and it needs to be embedded in a long process.”
West Springs/Cougar Ridge (WSCR)
The community association of WSCR is encouraging community members to become more environmentally conscious. Will Fong, VP of community events, believes community associations like his can play a unique role in addressing environmental issues.
“One community can inspire another,” said Fong. “They can share ideas. Banding together, we’ll have a common voice to create change, to come together and speak to various levels of government.”
With his help, WSCR is leading the way. The community is now planning its second annual community cleanup, and this year it will feature an environmental expo to illuminate local, environmental concerns and help residents begin addressing them.
The expo, actually an interactive mini trade show, will unveil a Green Living Workshop series: a fun, inspirational opportunity to jumpstart sustainability efforts and to get acquainted with many of Calgary’s environmental organizations. Each workshop will provide participants with a toolkit so they don’t go home simply with a longer to-do list but are able to take immediate action
The workshop series is a collaboration between REAP and Conscious Home, with promotional support from WSCR. The initial series of four workshops will direct participants’ attention to issues such as toxicity in the home, ethical purchasing, waste management (including composting), energy efficiency, and water conservation. The goal is to replicate the workshops series in other Calgary communities.
Inglewood
The Garden Path Society of Inglewood is a non-profit organic community garden with 103 plots for rent. They’re available to anyone in Calgary, but more than half are rented by people living in Inglewood.
The group has also founded Cornucopia – a dozen garden plots whose produce is donated locally. The plots are sponsored by local businesses and individuals, then maintained by volunteers.
Last year, those twelve plots generated 1000 lb of produce, all of which was donated to the YWCA Sheriff King Home, the Salvation Army Center of Hope, the Mustard Seed, and other charities.
Cornucopia is expanding this year with an urban garden co-operative u-pick. It’s an environmentally sustainable food source in the heart of the city. Co-op members purchase shares in the harvest. The co-op will hold gardening-skills workshops and organize work parties for maintenance. Volunteers will earn discounts on the produce they pick.
Weather permitting, the Garden Path Society expects to grow 4000 lb of produce. They’ll donate at least 1000 lb. The rest will be available to co-op shareholders.
“This is unique,” says coordinator Linda Mummery. “It’s a place in the city where you can buy your food straight from the ground.”
TAKE ACTION:
- Imagine your own community. Visit www.imaginecalgary.ca and www.imaginechicago.org to learn more about starting this dynamic process.
- Community associations are poised to be sustainability leaders. They can initiate sustainability efforts where we all need them most: right where we live. So get involved with your association. Consider becoming a member of the Board. Begin making a vital contribution to your community.
- Might your community be interested in reducing its ecological footprint? The Green Living Workshop Series can help. Email Stephanie@reapcalgary.com or Lauren@conscioushome.ca for more information.
- Learn more about The Garden Path Society’s Cornucopia program by writing to Linda Mummery or JoAnn Mulligan. The group is seeking volunteers and shareholders.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:49 am
we raise and sell compost worms we also sell worm castings which are the highest soil amendment known to mankind,we also sell a book
“WORMS EAT MY GARBAGE” BY MARY APPLEHOFF
We recycle every thing we can,we have afront door pick up for our garbage to be recycled.
WE ARE TRYING TO HELP THE WORLD 1 WORM AT A TIME