May 2008

Also available in PDF format: Green Diary (84kb)

ALL MONTH

Every Mon and Sat, 10am -12pm Brodick/Feltham/Bow Parks invasive species removal. Volunteers needed. Training, gloves, and tools provided. No dogs. Judy, 472-0515 or jandd_spearing@shaw.ca

Every Tue, 9am  VNHS: Tuesday morning birding group. Birding activities take place at various locations around Greater Victoria. Meet at the foot of Bowker Ave. (off Beach Dr.) Bill Dancer, 721-5273.

Every Wed, 7-8 or 8:30 pm Oneness Wednesdays at Church of Truth - Community of Conscious Living. Interactive Book Club to explore Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose". Linda, 380-6383. http://cot.seedwiki.com

Every Thur, 6:30pm Vipassana (insight or mindfulness) meditation group meets Brentwood Bay. Tatha, peninsula.mindful.living@telus.net

Every Sat, 7am  VNHS: Saturday morning birding. Call 592-3381 on Friday or Saturday for the meeting location. Rick Schortinghuis, 652-3326.

Every Sat, 9-12pm Beacon Hill Park Ivy Pull. Volunteers welcome. Cornelia, 920-3556

Every Sat, 10-12. Moss Street Market, Fairfield. Local organic food and more. www.mossstreetmarket.com

Every Sat, 1:30pm Tour of Merve Wilkinson’s Wildwood Forest near Ladysmith. Jay, 250-245-5540

Every Sun, 10-4pm O.U.R. Ecovillage weekly Sunday work parties. RSVP: 250-743-3067. www.ourecovillage.org 

Every Sun, 3pm Free vegetarian food at Pandora (Harris Green) between Open Door and McDonalds.

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WEEK ONE

Thur 1, 7pm  Global warming: The Scale of the Problem and the Path to the Solution (Dr. Andrew Weaver); and Can Canada’s Forests Contribute to a Climate Change Mitigation Strategy? (Dr Werner Kurz). UVic David Lam, MacLaurin 144. Canadian Institute of Forestry.

Fri 2, 9am  VNHS Field Trip: Saltspring Botanical Adventure. An exploratory trip, dabbling in a few areas that have been recommended as having a diverse selection of wildflowers. Participants will share in transportation expenses.  Bring a lunch. No pets please. RSVP Agnes at thelynns at shaw.ca or 721-0634

Fri 2, 7pm  Flowers on the Edge. Species at risk botanist and ecologist Matt Fairbarns will present an illustrated talk on native plants in the Garry Oak and related ecosystems. Matt has studied the conservation biology of plants for over 25 years and was a botanist with the BC government until 2003, Lions Hall, Salt Spring.

Fri 2 – Sun 4  The Hum of the Universe - singing workshop with Shivon Robinsong, of Getting’ Higher Choir, Glenairley Centre for Earth and Spirit, Sooke. $205-$295 www.centreforearthandspirit.org

Sat 3  17th Annual Camas Day in Beacon Hill Park. Guided walks: Birds at 7am & 9am, Wildflowers at 11am & 1pm, Archaeology 11am & 1pm. Meet at the flag pole atop Beacon Hill. No pets please. Helen: 592-6659 or Agnes: thelynns at shaw.ca

Sat 3, 9am-4pm Tree Identification. Learn the basic principles of identification, tree families, and how to distinguish trees by their physical characteristics. Includes classroom session and fieldtrip. $75. Royal Roads. 370-3550. http://camosun.ca/ce/horticulture.html

Sat 3, 6pm  FoodRoots Sustainable Feast. $30 for a four-course local gourmet meal. Local beer and wine. Guy Dauncey of the BCSEA will speak on agriculture and biofuels. Garry Oak Rm, 1335 Fairfield Rd. 385-7974 for tickets. www.foodroots.ca

Sat 3, 8pm  R&B Benefit Dance for South Africa with Vic High Rhythm & Blues Band. Proceeds to support women's education and training projects in South Africa. $15. White Eagle Hall, 90 Dock St. (at Niagara). VIDEA: 385-2333

Sat 3, late  Rising Tide fundraiser for Victoria Surfrider Foundation’s schools educational “Respect the Beach” clean-up work. Sugar Night Club, 858 Yates St. www.surfridervictoria.org

Sun 4, 9am  CRD Parks: Hilltop Birding. We’ll head to the summit of Mill Hill in search of spring migrants such as flycatchers and warblers. Bring binoculars if you have them. 10 yrs +. Meet at info kiosk in parking lot off Atkins Ave. BC Transit #50. 478-3344

Sun 4, 11am-3pm  Bioregional Fair, a celebration of local community and ecology. Free. 2738 Higgins St. 383-6609, www.oak-and-orca.ca

Sun 4, 11am-4pm  The Local-Global Green Map Roundtable. An open event with special guest Green Mapmakers from the Cuban-Latin America Network and Green Map's global headquarters. UVic Social Science Building B215. RSVP Sarah Dickie: ocbr@uvic.ca

Sun 4, 1-5pm  The Hitchhiker's Guide to Hatley Park. A four-hour walking tour of the Hatley Park estate including the Castle, historic buildings, 10 formal gardens, estate design, natural history and the time before the Dunsmuir family. $45. Royal Roads. 391-2600 x 4801 or www.royalroads.ca/continuing-studies/GLHO1302-Y07.htm

Sun 4, 7pm  Gardens of Destiny, a film about Dan Jason’s work with Salt Spring Seeds. Fritz Movie Theatre, Salt Spring Island. www.SaltSpringSeeds.com

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WEEK TWO

Mon 5, 12, 19 & 26, 10am-12pm Mystics as Guides in our New Cosmological World. Facilitator – Bill Wilson, SJ, PhD. In this workshop we will look at some of the mystics and see how their view of reality might give direction for us today. $85/series, $25/drop in. (Can’t afford this? Please call us.) 3931 Staten Pl. 384-8740 or earthliteracies@gmail.com. www.livinglanguageinstitute.org

Wed 7, 5:30 Council of Canadians Victoria Chapter AGM. Meet and greet potluck starts at 5:30. Following a brief meeting, the movie Mother Earth by Terre Nash will be shown. BCGEU Bldg, 2994 Douglas St. 477-0941

Thur 8 & Tue 13, 6:30-9pm and Sat 10, 10-3pm Intermediate Local Ethnobotany. Ethnobotany is the study of people’s traditional use and knowledge of plants. It is recommended that you first take Introduction to Local Ethnobotany prior to this offering. $125. Royal Roads. 391-2600 x 4801 or www.royalroads.ca/continuing-studies/GLNA1311-Y07.htm

Sat 10 & 18, 9am SSI Nature Conservancy: Birding With Bob. Free to members. Ford Lake, Salt Spring Island. 538-0318

Sat 10, 9am-12pm Basic Botanical Latin. This is an overview of botanical Latin—how to write and use it. Participants will feel more comfortable with the scientific names, and be more relaxed about learning and using them. $40. Royal Roads. 391-2600 x 4801 or www.royalroads.ca/continuing-studies/GLHO1300-Y07.htm

Sat 10, 9:30am-3:30pm An Eco-Spirituality Retreat facilitated by Cecilia Hudec SC MA.
A time of solitude and prayer to attend to our deep connections with our Planet Home and the natural community. Bring a lunch. $60. (Can’t afford this? Please call us.) 5990 Old West Saanich Rd. 384-8740 or earthliteracies@gmail.com. www.livinglanguageinstitute.org

Sat 10, 10-1pm Organic Plant Sale of perennials, ornamentals, veggie starts, native plants and seeds. Also, Black Gold Rush - Compost for Climate, live bluegrass band and free garden tours. Greater Victoria Compost Education Centre, 1216 North Park St.

Sat 10, 10am-4pm Dominion Observatory Astronomy Day. This is your chance to walk among the planets, quiz an astronomer, gaze through a telescope, and participate in astro activities for young astronomers. All ages. Centre of the Universe, 3860 West Saanich Rd. 478-3344

Sat 10 – Sun 11 STV (Single Transferable Vote) Yes Campaign Planning Conference. Help the province's voters learn why BC's independent Citizen's Assembly proposed STV as the best alternative to the unfair first past the post system. Sponsored by Fair Vote Canada. fairvotingbc@telus.net or 384-0666

Sun 11, 10am-12pm Tour North America's first code-approved seismically engineered load bearing insulated cob house featuring: solar PV and wind power, grid intertie, solar thermal heating, rainwater harvesting from a living roof, composting toilet, grey water re-use, and passive solar design. $12. 478-2680 or annandgord@eco-sense.ca

Sun 11, 1pm CRD Parks: What Has the Tide Brought In? Celebrate Mother’s Day at the beach! Discover the treasures of the sea on this guided exploration. All ages. Albert Head Park. Meet in parking lot at end of Delgada Dr, off Park Dr. BC Transit #54 or #55. 478-3344

Tue 13, 5-8pm Victoria Green Drinks Night. Canoe Brewpub, 450 Swift St. www.greendrinks.org

Wed 14, 6:30pm OrganicAthlete Victoria chapter meeting. Discuss plant-based nutrition for athletes. Side room at Green Cuisine; 6pm dinner, 6:30 meeting. RSVP Dave: OrganicAthleteVictoria @ Gmail.com. www.OrganicAthlete.org

Wed 14, 6:30pm Connecting your money with your values: a workshop for women. 10th Floor,1175 Douglas St, The Pinch Group. 405-2413. www.pinchgroup.ca

Thur 15, 6-8pm Saanich Community “Greet & Meet". What kind of future do we want? How do we get there from here? Hosted by the Saanich - Gulf Islands Green Party. Quattro Stagione Café, 7060 W. Saanich Rd. 544-1826 or 1-866-656-2221

Thur 15, 7pm  The Native Plant Study Group presents: "No Love For Langford" with Fran Benton. Learn how living in Langford changed this mild mannered botanist into a Garry oak meadow activist. $2. UVic, MacLaurin D-116. www.NPSG.ca

Fri 16, 7pm Native Plants of SSI with Matt Fairbarns. Lions Hall, Salt Spring Island. 538-0318

Fri 16, 7pm Bottom Feeder: How to eat ethically in a world of vanishing seafood. Talk and reading by author Taras Grescoe, who has travelled the world to see what is going on in the seafood industry. Co-sponsored with SS Books. All Saints By the Sea Anglican Church (upper hall), 110 Park Drive, Salt Spring.

Fri 16, 7:30pm John Trent will speak on Modernizing the U.N. At present, he says, "The UN's members are more preoccupied by national interests than by the collective good." World Federalists monthly meeting, everybody welcome. St. John's Church Lounge, Quadra and Balmoral Streets.

Sat 17, 10am-1pm Walk with Matt Fairbarns to identify native plants. $20. Salt Spring Island. 538-0318

Sun 18, 10am CRD Parks: Beaks, Feet and Feathers. Discover amazing adaptations that enable birds to survive in forest, field or wetland. 6 yrs +. Elk/Beaver Lake Park. Meet at info kiosk in Eagle Beach parking lot, off the Pat Bay Hwy. BC Transit #70 or #75. 478-3344

Sun 18, 11-4pm Celebrating Esquimalt Lagoon: Past, Present and Future. Coburg Peninsula, Colwood. Host of fun, free environmental stewardship events. Esquimalt Lagoon Stewardship Initiative 360-3299

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WEEK THREE

Tue 20 7:30am Values Based Business network Breakfast Meeting, Heron Rocks Cafe, 435 Simcoe. RSVP by email: connect@vbnetwork.ca

Wed 21 6:30pm  Friends of Animals monthly meeting. Discuss and plan local issues such as getting a ban on the horse drawn carriages, the seal hunt, other vegan outreach, and The Victoria Vegan newsletter (help out!) Dave @ FriendsofAnimals.org. www.TheVictoriaVegan.com

Thur 22  International Biodiversity Day.  Get involved by hosting a Biodiversi-Tea-Party. Send your name, phone and mailing address to biodiversity@sierraclub.bc.ca.  We will write back with an easy tea party guide.  You provide cookies, friends and time; we’ll provide the rest.  Brought to you by Sierra Club BC and Mountain Equipment Co-op.

Thur 22, 6:30pm  Connecting your money with your values: a workshop for women. 10th Floor, 1175 Douglas St, The Pinch Group. 405-2413. www.pinchgroup.ca

Thur 22 - Fri 23  UVic’s Summer Restoration Symposium: "Alien Invasive Species Management". Learn and share knowledge on innovative techniques, approaches, and theories regarding alien invasive species management. www.uvcs.uvic.ca/eco/symposium.aspx

Thur 22 - Sat 24  3rd Gaining Ground Sustainable Urban Development Summit. Leaders and leadership teams from North America’s ‘champion cities’ will explore their initiatives and the conditions that currently foster or frustrate whole-city shift toward sustainability. Laurel Point Inn, 680 Montreal St. www.gaininggroundsummit.com/victoria/

Fri 23 - Sat 24  Cortes Island Sustainability Home Show. Many speakers, workshops & events. Manson’s Community Hall, Cortes Island. Karen Perras, 250-935-0175 or ravenclan@riseup.net

Sat 24, 9:30am-3:30pm  Meditation and the Twelve Steps. Facilitator - Susan Green. Step Eleven encourages meditation in recovery. Participants will be encouraged to find the best ways for each individual to meditate to support recovery. Bring a lunch. $60. (Can’t afford this? Please call us.) 5990 Old West Saanich Rd. 384-8740 or earthliteracies@gmail.com.  www.livinglanguageinstitute.org

Sat 24, 10am-2pm  CRD Parks: Hike from Park to Park. We’ll start this moderately-paced hike in Francis/King Park, and then follow the Pan Handle Fire Trail to Thetis Lake Park. Bring lunch, water, raingear and sturdy shoes. Adults only. Meet at the Nature Centre off Munn Rd. 478-3344

Sat 24, 10am-4pm  VIDEA Fair Trade Fair. Local vendors bring you a wide selection of fairly traded food, clothing, accessories, toys, household items and gifts from around the world. St. John the Divine, 925 Balmoral. Elizabeth Wallace, 385-2333 or ewallace@videa.ca

Sun 25, 10am-12pm  Tour North America's first code-approved seismically engineered load bearing insulated cob house featuring: solar PV and wind power, grid intertie, solar thermal heating, rainwater harvesting from a living roof, composting toilet, grey water re-use, and passive solar design. $12. 478-2680 or annandgord@eco-sense.ca 

Sun 25, 12-4pm  "Defending our Backyard", Island Chefs Collaborative Local Food Festival Fort Rodd Hill. $45 available through your local VQA shops and ICC member restaurants.

Sun 25, 12:30pm  CRD Parks: High and Dry. It’s a great low tide, so why not come down and explore the intertidal zone? Be prepared to get your feet wet. All ages. Witty’s Lagoon Park. Meet in Tower Point parking lot off Olympic View Dr. BC Transit #54 or #55. 478-3344

Sun 25,  1:30 & 2:30pm Animals Are Wild! Have fun as you are entertained by guest presenters Spilt Milk Comedy Theatre's Half Pints & More Cow Bell Performing Troupes with their presentations on Animal Disguises and Animal Communication. Crafts and activities to follow. All ages. Donation, $2/child. Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary, 3873 Swan Lake Rd. 479-0211

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WEEK FOUR

Mon 26, 7pm BC Sustainable Energy Association Victoria Chapter AGM and showing of the film The Garbage Warriors. Burnside Gorge Community Centre, 471 Cecelia Rd. 744-2720 or info@bcsea.org. www.bcsea.org

Mon 26 - Sun June 1, 10am-5:30pm Totally Tomato Sale, The Garden Path Certified Organic Plants. Great selection of heritage tomatoes & assorted edibles. 395 Conway Rd (off Interurban).
www.earthfuture.com/gardenpath

Tue 27, 5-7pm  Cowichan Green Drinks Night. Craig Street Pub, 25 Craig St, Duncan. www.greendrinks.org

Wed 28 - Sun June 1  Social Change Institute - Building Power for Change. Join us for an exciting 5-day peer learning conference. Learn new tools, share strategies, and build new partnerships to build a more just and sustainable world. Hollyhock Leadership Institute, Cortes Island. www.hollyhockleadership.org/social-change-institute-2008

Fri 30, 7pm  EcoNews Dessert Potluck Mailout Party, 395 Conway Rd. All welcome! Guy, 881-1304

Sat 31  Green Living Expo. Green Living is about living the good life while reducing your ecological footprint. The Green Living Expo offers information on more sustainable choices for the home, garden and lifestyle. Colwood Plaza. Judith Cullington: 391-8772 or jcullington@shaw.ca

Sat 31, 10am-3pm  Wild Weddings - Green Elegance! The workshop will be informative, fun and interactive and you will leave with socially responsible, earth-friendly decorations for your celebration and incredible ideas to take forward. All supplies included. $195. Royal Roads. 391-2600 x or www.royalroads.ca/continuing-studies/GLNA1312-Y07.htm

Sat 31, 10:30am-1:30pm  CRD Parks: Marvelous Matheson. Join us for a ramble ‘round the lake, with lunch at a scenic viewpoint. Bring a snack, water, and sturdy shoes. 10 yrs +. Matheson Lake Park. Meet in parking lot at end of Matheson Lake Park Rd. 478-3344

Sat 31  Georgia Strait Alliance AGM. Meeting 4:30-5:45pm, reception 5:45-7pm. Then at 7-8pm, Dr. Peter S. Ross, from the Institute of Ocean Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, speaks on the effects of persistent environmental contaminants on the health of marine mammals. St. Anne’s Academy, 835 Humboldt St. To RSVP: gsa@georgiastrait.org or 250-753-3459

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COMING EVENTS

June 11 - 15 The first of four 2008 Farm Conservation Holidays from The Land Conservancy of BC. Participants will will harvest and prepare the bounty from a satisfying day’s work on the farm, while learning about sustainable farming techniques that can be used in your own backyard. Foxglove Farm, Salt Spring Island. www.conservationholidays.ca