New Local Business Network
October 17, 2009
LoCo BC launched this month at an event in downtown Vancouver called Harnessing the Power of Local: Positioning Your Business to Thrive in a Shaky Economy.
Amy Robinson presented an overview of LoCo BC, a new business network working to create a diverse, vibrant local economy by strengthening small and mid-sized businesses, connecting and having fun in the process.
As well as Amy’s presentation, Kierstin De West of Conscientious Innovation (Ci) presented info on her company’s latest research intelligence in the area of local and sustainability, and just why it’s such a hot-button right now. And I was there to talk about digital media and how best to use it as part of business plan. Kierstin’s presentation is here, and I’ll post my presentations in a couple of days.
Since I was there as a guest speaker, I’ve put together a screen-cast of Amy’s presentation here.
Further down the page you can just grab the audio version, or the PDF (or all three !)
Here’s the screencast of Amy’s presentation, which will give you a good picture of what LoCo BC is all about, and you should email her after you’ve watched/listened to it because I’m sure you’ll want to get involved…
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
Podcast: If you’d rather just listen to the podcast, it’s here:
click to play
Runs: 15:45
ISBN: 978-1-926758-04-6
If you’d rather get it on iTunes, here’s the direct link.
PDF: And here’s a copy of Amy’s presentation in PDF format.
Podcast and video licensed under Creative Commons license: Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 Canada
Vivaldi Never Lived in BC
February 23, 2009
Even though I’ve lived in the Lower Mainland since 1987, I’ve just now figured out the seasons.
What was throwing me off is that they aren’t distinct, discreet seasons like elsewhere in the country.
They’re mellow, they over-lap, and there are some wildcards.
Today, in a moment of clarity like I’ve never had before, it all came to me.
The seasons here go like this:
- Mostly Snowboarding
- Mostly Gardening
- Mostly Sailing
Oh, we also have a season called Hawaii.
To help keep it all clear, I’ve put together a little chart – click for a larger version – print it up and stick in on the bulletin board.
Originally posted on the Bigsnit blog
BC’s Green Film Industry
November 10, 2008
Last February we told you about Vancouver Film Studios and their move to become carbon neutral.
Now, BC’s film production community has a gateway web site to provide information and promote the greening of the film and TV industry in our province.
ReelGreenBC.Ca is part of the BC Film Commission…
Reel Green BC encourages partnership with green initiatives already being implemented in the community and provides tools and information for companies and individuals wishing to become more environmentally responsible in carrying out the business of motion picture and entertainment production.
The site features contact information for companies providing services to the industry, environmental best practices and resource links.
Find them at www.reelgreenbc.ca
Ecotourism Conference in Vancouver
June 1, 2008
Later this year, Vancouver will be hosting an ecotourism conference. Conference dates are October 27-29 and registration is slated to open in mid-June. [Read more]
Podcast – JER Envirotech
April 8, 2008
Unless you work in the industry, it isn’t likely that you think much about thermoplastics.
But thermoplastics are used in hundreds of items in your home, your car, and your workplace. Anything around you that is made from extruded or moulded plastic is a product of the thermoplastics industry.
JER Envirotech is a British Columbia company at the forefront of new technology that’s changing the thermoplastics industry and helping the environment at the same time.
When JER Envirotech was first founded ten years ago, the goal was to find a way to use organic materials in thermoplastics.
The idea was simple – instead of sending waste wood to the landfill or burning rice hulls – why not make use of these products by combining them with polymers to create a new kind of thermoplastic.
While the idea may have been simple, the science is not. With help from the National Research Council of Canada, JER Envirotech has been able to find a way to do it.
Edward Trueman, JER’s President and CEO, believes his industry is on the verge of a paradigm shift because of this new technology.
VanGoGreen’s Robert Ouimet spoke with him at the company’s head office in Delta, BC.
click to play
Edward Trueman
President and CEO
JER Envirotech
runs: 13:40
ISBN: 978-0-9809054-6-5
© Bigsnit Media Consulting Inc. 2008. Podcasts are available for re-broadcast by contacting info@bigsnit.com
Skaha Bluffs Access Secured
February 5, 2008
Great news via the Mountain Equipment Co-Op newsletter:
Permanent access to Skaha Bluffs in BC’s South Okanagan has been secured. The local climbing community has worked for years to secure public access to the Bluffs.
Mountain Equipment Co-op and The Land Conservancy (TLC) joined the effort in 2006. With financial support from the province of BC, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the Climber’s Access Society, and other partners, TLC closed the $5.2 million deal on January 16, 2008.
All in all, more than 740 MEC members gave over $140,000 to the campaign. MEC matched those donations up to the first $100,000 and kicked in an additional $250,000 – for total contribution of $350,000 towards the land purchase
You can also read more at the Shaha.org web site…
“The newly acquired land falls within the proposed Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park recommended in the Okanagan Shuswap Land and Resource Management Plan and will be managed for its important conservation and recreation values as a Class A provincial park. The property is made up of coniferous forest, riparian areas, rugged terrain and some shrub-steppe grasslands. This habitat helps support up to 15 species-at-risk, including California bighorn sheep.
“This purchase was made possible through the co-operation of many partners and their
unwavering dedication to seeing the project through,” said B.C. Environment Minister Barry Penner. “I had a chance to hike through the property and see the Skaha Bluffs first-hand last summer and, with the encouragement of MLA Barisoff, enthusiastically authorized the provincial financial contribution to secure public access to great recreational opportunities and protect a special part of the Okanagan.”
