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Home My WebLink AboutCSD-11-044 - Earth Day 2011 REPORT TO: Committee of the Whole DATE OF MEETING: 2011-03-28 www.kitchenerca SUBMITTED BY: Mark Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs & Services (x 2687) PREPARED BY: Janice Ouellette, Facilitator, Volunteer Resources & Community Engagement (x 2227) WARD(S) INVOLVED: All DATE OF REPORT: 2011-03-07 REPORT NO.: CSD-11-044 SUBJECT: EARTH DAY 2011 RECOMMENDATION: For information. BACKGROUND: Earth Day (April 22) is celebrated internationally as the birth of the environmental movement. On a global basis, Earth Day's mandate is to create and nurture a popular, highly visible "window of awareness" in April in which individual awareness and action are the primary goal. Across Canada, Earth Day has grown so much that celebrations take place throughout the whole month of April, also known as Earth Month. According to Earth Day Canada (EDC), more than 6 million Canadians join 500 million people in over 180 countries in staging events and projects to address local environmental issues. Nearly every school child in Canada takes part in an Earth Day activity. The City of Kitchener has supported both community-driven and city-led events for over 15 years. Community consultations continue to show that people believe the environment is an important issue. The Earth Week planning committee sees its role as working towards the priorities of the Plan for a Healthy Kitchener (2006) and City of Kitchener's Strategic Plan for the Environment, specifically environmental stewardship, public awareness and education and leadership and engagement. REPORT: Once again, the City of Kitchener, through the Earth Week Planning Committee, has organized a variety of activities, events and opportunities for community members to get involved, learn about and take a role in caring for their environment. In 2011, the City of Kitchener Earth Day Committee will offer the following initiatives: -EARTH HOUR -- Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million homes and businesses turned their lights off for one hour to make their stand against climate change and, since then, participation has grown exponentially. Earth Hour 2010, the biggest Earth Hour ever, saw a record 128 countries and territories participate. Iconic buildings and Staff Re opt ~ommunrtySer~ices Department 4(a)-1 Staff Re ort ~ITCH~I`r?E~ X01111'1']~1111~~'$E1'V1[QS~~pQ~'~~T?~Q1~ w~+w.kitthenerca landmarks switched off. People across the world from all walks of life turned off their lights and came together in celebration and contemplation of our planet. On March 26t", 2011 from 8:30 - 9:30 pm, city staff will power down lighting, computers and other non-essential electrical equipment, with the exception of safety lighting, or in the cases where facility spaces are rented out for special events. Staff will also encourage citizens, other businesses, and organizations to participate in this initiative through web-sites, posters and radio ads and social media. Community members are encouraged to register their commitment on the Earth Hour web-site to be counted with others across the world and make their voices heard. A local community group will be holding an event in civic square from 7:30 - 9:30 pm to celebrate the environment through music, games, and a countdown to Earth Hour lights out. -CLEAN-UPS- Research shows that when community members get involved in cleaning their neighbourhoods, parks and open spaces, they are less likely to litter and are more likely to keep it clean! Recognizing that community clean-ups are easy ways to get many people involved, that they bring neighbours, colleagues or classmates together in a common cause, and that they may build awareness of how a small act for a short time can have a large physical impact and may help participants develop a sense of their influence on their environment, the Earth Week Planning Committee has decided to continue to provide the following litter pick-up opportunities this year. 20 Minute Makeover -The 20 Minute Make-over was first organized in the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo in 2006. In 2007, the City of Cambridge also participated. This initiative will continue again this year on Friday April 15t" when individuals, businesses, city staff, councillors and other organizations will be encouraged to take 20 minutes from their busy schedules at or around 2 p.m. to clean up the grounds around their work, schools, or homes. Groups can register on-line through the City of Kitchener website or by calling our Volunteer Resources. The City will provide registered groups with gloves and specially marked bags along with posters to organizers in each business. This year, The City Green team will be promoting the 20 Minute Makeover with city staff and Council. Last year, 42 businesses and 900 people in Kitchener participated, 310 of whom were city of Kitchener staff. Tim Hortons Community Clean-Up -The litter pick-up, organized by City staff, will be held on Saturday, April 16t" from 10 am to 12 pm in Victoria Park. There is no pre- registration required ---individuals, families and groups are welcome. Participating high school students can also log hours for their community service requirements. Tim Hortons generously sponsors this event by contributing t-shirts, refreshments, prizes and significant promotion. In 2010, even with extremely cold temperatures, approximately 110 people participated in this event. Five 5 Kitchener Youth Action Council and high school coop volunteers helped out and brown paper compost bags were used to dispose of paper cups. This year we will be implementing a short survey with participants to gather feedback about their experience and to encourage future participation. Organizers and event volunteers will also be encouraging participants to make full use of our community's ability to recycle and compost. • Community Organized Litter Pick-ups. Community groups, individuals, or neighbourhoods can organize their own litter clean-up of a public space, parks and trails. Those who register with the City of Kitchener Volunteer Resources receive free clean up supplies and garbage collection. Clean-ups completed during the month of 4(a)-2 Staff Re ort ~ITCHI~I`r?E~ X01111'1']~1111~~'$E1'V1[QS~~pQ~'~~T?~Q1~ w~+w.kitthenerca April will also receive Tim Hortons t-shirts, a Tim Hortons gift card and resources to help them run a safe event. This year, each participant will have the opportunity to be entered into a draw for a mountain bike also supplied by Tim Hortons. Last year approximately 52 community clean-ups were registered with City of Kitchener and over 900 community members participated. School Clean-ups -All elementary and secondary schools are invited to participate in the Spring School Clean-up. Schools who decide to participate register with the City of Kitchener Volunteer Resources who will provide supplies and support. This year all participating schools will have the chance to win a grant to fund environmentally friendly initiatives at their school. Last year, 43 schools participated, engaging approximately 10,000 students. Consulting Firm Challenge -Once again, environmental consulting firms in Kitchener will be invited to challenge each other in the Annual Earth Day Challenge. For this challenge, points are awarded to the consulting firms who have the highest percentage of employees participating in a litter pick-up, the most unusual piece of garbage, and the largest amount of garbage collected. Atrophy is awarded to the firm with the highest overall number of points. In 2010, four consulting firms participated with a total of 80 participants and the coveted Earth Day Challenge Cup went to MTE Consulting Inc. -BLOOMIN' EARTH FESTIVAL - City staff in Special Events are planning the 5th annual Bloomin' Earth Eco-Fair at Kitchener City Hall, April 16th from gam to 3pm. Participants can enjoy the vintage feeling of our outdoor market, filled with yesterdays treasures, thrifted clothing up-cycled into unique dresses and handbags as well as delightful candy smelling all natural body care wonders. In addition, there will be FREE recycled workshops, live entertainment and the REthreaded fashion show, a recycled clothing challenge. This is the FIFTH year for the market ... educating inspiring and entertaining families of all ages. Anyone interested can read more on the Bloomin' Earth Festival's blog at http://bloominearth.wordpress.com -KITCHENER'S NATURAL AREA PROGRAM (KNAP) -Through KNAP, a range of environmental activities are organized which focus on engaging the community in environmental stewardship projects, increasing environmental literacy and awareness, and creating opportunities for people to discover and experience nature in the City. •Throughout the year, the City of Kitchener partners with Trout Unlimited Canada to offer the Yellow Fish Road program. This program is delivered by community and school groups in different areas of the city and involves painting "yellow fish" symbols on storm drains and distributing educational materials about the impacts of pollution. In April 2010, the Yellow Fish Road Program was delivered with WT Townshend Public School in the Laurentian West neighbourhood of Kitchener. In total, 70 students (Grades K-6) and 14 adults painted 61 storm drains and delivered 376 educational brochures. • On Saturday April 16t" the Friends of the Laurentian Wetland group and the City Kitchener will be hosting the Laurentian Wetland Clean-up and Earth Day Celebration featuring a wetland clean-up, student speeches and presentations, a school yard greening project and guided hikes to the Laurentian Wetland. The event will be held in the schoolyard of WT Townshend Public School at 245 Activa Avenue, Kitchener from 1- 4pm. In 2010, 65 residents in the local neighbourhood participated in this event 4(a)-3 Staff Re ort ~ITCH~I`r?E~ X01111'1']~1111~~'$E1'V1[QS~~pQ~'~~T?~Q1~ w~+w.kitthenerca which featured student presentations, an indoor slideshow and presentation about the local plants and animals of the wetland and a hike to the site. • Once again, KNAP will also be holding their free public KNAP Earth Day Event on Saturday April 23`d from 1-4 pm at Huron Natural Area, 801 Trillium Drive. The event will again feature the Canadian Raptor Conservancy with live bird of prey shows as well as kids crafts & activities, bird box building and tree planting. During this event, there will also be guided hikes and presentations about the recently discovered Neutral Nation Archaeological village. In 2010, over 800 people were in attendance throughout the afternoon. -THE CUBE- Through the last two weeks in March until the end of April, the digital Cube at City Hall will portray images of our planet and the vast resource that is our collective responsibility. Slides will encourage community members to participate in earth day events held across the City of Kitchener and to take action and make behaviour changes in their daily lives. -ECO-ACTION TEAMS -For the past year, the City of Kitchener has collaborated with Earth Day Canada to deliver environmental strategies and savings via a comprehensive, self- administered online savings calculator. The program provides a free online calculator that enables participants to browse through 50 eco-friendly actions to which they can commit. With the click of a button, a resident can see what the results of their actions will be as a personalized conservation report generated for them. -LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION FUND (LEAF) -The 2011 recipients of LEAF grants will be announced in the week of April 11 - 18, 2011. LEAF provides $5 million in funding for projects that promote a sustainable Kitchener, enhance public awareness and reduce greenhouse gases. The 2011 City of Kitchener Earth Day Committee consisted of the following people: Mohab EI-Hakim, Community Representative, Environmental Advisory Committee Jenn Grein, City of Kitchener Green Team Edward Jordan, Student Intern- Volunteer Resources Carrie Musselman, Senior Environmental Planner Janice Ouellette, Volunteer Resources & Community Engagement Marla Pender, Youth Services Michelle Riediger, Corporate Communications Brian Scott, Special Events Breanna Scott, KBIA Events and Communications Coordinator Debra Schiedel McGlynn, Student Intern- Special Events Joshua Shea, Natural Area Coordinator Berry Vrbanovic, City Councillor & Vice-Chair of Environmental Advisory Committee Jennifer Zunic, Special Events ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: Community Priority -Environment • Continue to show leadership in the development of an environmentally sustainable community. 4(a)-4 Staff Re ort ~ITCH~I`r?E~ X01111'1']~1111~~'$E1'V1[QS~~pQ~'~~T?~Q1~ w~+w.kitthenerca Community Priority -Leadership and Engagement • Partner with citizens, business, agencies, organizations, school boards and all orders of government, in all Healthy Community initiatives. • Develop a partnership with area school boards and other youth -service organizations to engage tomorrow's leaders in civic life -today. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Expenses will be paid out of an already existing budget allocated specifically for Earth Week Activities. Tim Hortons, the Litter Reduction Task Force, CHYM, NewsTalk 570, KIX106 and CTV have generously sponsored City of Kitchener's Earth Day Activities. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: The Environmental Advisory Committee has been consulted for feedback, input and volunteer involvement. Community members who participate in Earth Week initiatives will be asked to provide feedback and input through surveys and evaluations. Earth Week initiatives cover all four forms of community engagement. Through presentations, displays and information on the web-site, community members are informed of environmental initiatives already taking place and ways they can participate and be more "earth friendly". Through all earth week events (including Earth Hour in March), community members are given support and resources to collaborate on initiatives or lead them directly themselves. Corporate Communications developed a communication strategy for Earth Day 2011. The Facilitator of Volunteer Resources has worked closely with the City of Waterloo and the City of Cambridge to coordinate Earth Day activities and the communication plan for the Cities. Representatives of the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) of Kitchener City Council sit on the Earth Day Planning Committee and provide a communication link to and from EAC. CONCLUSION: Earth Day is an excellent opportunity for the City to raise awareness of local environmental initiatives and concerns and to encourage residents to take action on a local level. The environment is a priority for City of Kitchener residents. By providing support, resources and opportunities for community members to volunteer, residents are also given the opportunity to connect with others on common goal, to take on a leadership role and to be engaged in taking care of their own community. City Staff appreciate and look forward to continued support from Council to help grow this initiative. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Deputy CAO Community Services 4(a)-5