June 12 | UBC Botanical Garden Course: Espalier
May 31, 2009
Espalier is a pruning technique of training fruit trees into interesting shapes.
Tony Maniezzo will discuss the cultural requirements, how to get started and how the trees are trained and pruned.
This is a great skill for individuals who would like to grow fruit trees, but have a limited amount of space on their property.
Please bring secateurs and a pair of gardening gloves.
Instructor: Tony Maniezzo
Cost: $33 Garden Member and $40 General Public
ADVANCED REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Contact botg@interchange.ubc.ca OR (604) 822-3928.
Time: 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Jun 12, 2009
Location: UBC Botanical Garden – Garden Pavilion
6804 South West Marine Drive, Vancouver
Contact Information Nadine Diner, 604-822-3928
June 8 | UBC Botanical Garden Lecture: A History of Plant-Based Medicine
May 31, 2009
From prehistoric times, through the Greek Empire, into the Middle Ages and modern day, plants have played a vital role in the development of medicine and thus are deeply entwined in the history and survival of mankind.
In this lecture, Nadine will share her research on the history of plant-based medicine and its relationship to historical events and figures, which yielded the current disciplines of herbal and conventional medicine.
Following the lecture, Nadine will lead interested participants on a brief walk to the Physic Garden, a 16th Century medicinal herb garden. In the Physic Garden, she will introduce botanical specimens with a role in this history, leaving participants with an appreciation for plants as the basis for human health, the medicine of mankind.
Instructor: Nadine Diner
Cost: $5.00 Cash At the Door
Please contact 604-822-3928 or botg@interchange.ubc.ca in advance to book a seat.
Time: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, June 8, 2009
Location: UBC Botanical Garden – Reception Centre
6804 South West Marine Drive, Vancouver
Contact Information: Nadine Diner, 604-822-3928
Website: www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org
June 6 | 9th Annual Vancouver Landfill Open House
May 31, 2009
A free, fun filled event for the whole family! Visitors will have the opportunity to:
- Take a guided bus tour of the Landfill
- Learn about the Landfill’s environmental protection systems
- Discover how landfill gas generates electricity and heat
- See how Metro Vancouver biosolids can be used to create top soil for completed areas of the Landfill
- Watch the bird control hawks and falcons in action
Check out informational display by the Burns Bog Conservation Society, Metro Vancouver, City of Vancouver, and more.
Activities for children include:
- craft creations with The Art Express
- a junkologist
- a giant sandbox
- balloon twisting
- face painting
- hands-on science display
Enjoy free hamburgers and hot dogs. Sit in actual Landfill equipment. Take home a bag of compost.
Location: 5400 72 Street, Delta
9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Date: Saturday Jun 06, 2009
Contact: 604.940.3212.
June 5 | World Environment Day
May 31, 2009
World Environment Day (UN) is commemorated each year on 5 June.
It’s intended to stimulate worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. Recognising that climate change is becoming the defining issue of our era, UNEP is asking countries, companies and communities to focus on greenhouse gas emissions and how to reduce them.
The World Environment Day will highlight resources and initiatives that promote low carbon economies and life-styles, such as improved energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, forest conservation and eco-friendly consumption.
United Nations Environment Programme website
June 3 | LiveSmart BC Program: Improving Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
May 31, 2009
Join us for an energy efficiency workshop for detached and semi-detached homes. You could receive up to $13,605 in provincial and federal rebates, plus up to $1,350 in tax credits foryour home energy improvements. Learn the details of the LiveSmart BC Program. (Admission is
free. Seating is limited.)
Location: Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St., Peter Kaye Room
Date: Wednesday Jun 03, 2009
Vancouver Public Library
Contact: Marketing & Communications Department 604-331-4044
June 2 | NEPP Workshop #1: Personal Emergency Preparedness
May 31, 2009
Emergencies and disasters can happen with little or no warning. Being prepared could save your life or the lives of others and significantly improve your quality of living in the aftermath.
Location: Sunset Community Centre – 404 East 51st Avenue – Multi A
Date: Tuesday Jun 02, 2009
Workshop Description
Contact: (604) 718-6505
Checking-in on Bowen Island’s Eco-Shed
May 26, 2009
It’s just over a year ago that I did a podcast with James Glave regarding his book Almost Green and we toured his, then yet to be finished, eco-shed. (Give the podcast a listen, James is hilarious)
A year later, the Eco-Shed is one of the jewels of Bowen Island, and was even featured in one of Oprah’s magazines.
Whether you’re visiting from thousands of miles away, or from just across Howe Sound, Bowen is a fantastic escape. And you can feel good while you’re there, knowing that your carbon footprint is tiny – eco-tourism in the lap of luxury !
Creator and owner, writer James Glave and I had a catch-up meeting recently aboard my tiny sailboat Madsu at the Bowen government docks.
Here’s the latest on the Eco-Shed, according to James:
Within a couple of weeks guests will be able to help themselves to strawberries and blueberries in the rock garden bed right out their front door. Soon after, they can browse the raspberry patch nearby. We’ll be rolling this fruit into our baked goods that we deliver.
There are guest book entries in flickr.com/ecoshed… including one where the guest created a chinese character for the eco-shed.
Our favourite wine at the moment is blasted church “hatfield’s fuse.”
The weather is gorgeous and paddling season is well underway.
Over the summer I will be improving the rough trail that connects us with Artisan Square… the Artisan Eats bakery cafe, just down and over, is a popular destination.
At some point, James and I should arrange to bring a lucky guest(s) over or back from the island aboard Madsu, lowering the carbon footprint even more.
There are still dates open – so check out the Eco-Shed website, and book your escape now.
June 1-30 | Bike Month in BC
May 26, 2009
Bike Month offers over 60 fun and educational events throughout the region including group rides, children’s safety workshops, films, bikeway grand openings and festivals for people of all ages and abilities.
Come with your friends, or meet some new ones. Bike Month is your chance to discover quiet, safe, beautiful routes for excursions or everyday trips. Feel the sun on your face and the wind in your hair.
Get fit. Save money. Fall in love with your commute. Bike Month events include the Stanley Park Bike Festival, BEST Pancake Breakfast, the Sapperton Street Festival, the Bike Fest in Surrey, Island City by Bike in Richmond, the Car-free Commercial Drive Festival, Bike Movie Night, the Giant Critical Mass and much, much more.
Come join the hundreds of thousands of people in the Lower Mainland who experience the pleasure of cycling, in the month of June and every day of the year.
May 30 | Healthy Kids Day
May 26, 2009
Healthy Kids Day is an event that has a variety of interactive and recreational activities such as inflatable play centres, pony rides and sports activities with the aim being to educate and promote healthy child development.
The event provides a chance to develop community partnership working towards the goal of raising public awareness on the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
It also provides the community with options and information on programs and services available from various organizations in their community.
Saturday May 30, 2009
Location: Langara Family YMCA
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Contact: Emma Hatch 604.230.2445
June 7 | 17th Annual Coho Bon Voyage
May 21, 2009
Join this annual Bowen Island salmon celebration. Release young salmon, take a guided tour of the Terminal Creek Fish Hatchery and discover the ecological importance of small creeks and the salmon life cycle.
Meet at the hatchery, a 15 minute walk from the ferry dock along the park trails.
Presented by Metro Vancouver and Bowen Island Fish & Wildlife Club.
Time: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Location: Crippen Regional Park, Bowen Island
Contact: Bowen Island Fish & Wildlife Club, 604-947-9584
website: bowenhatchery.org
