"JANE" - Wildlife conservation tips here

"You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." - Jane Goodall

Here are some ways that you can help to protect and conserve wildlife:

- Plant native plants in your garden (or on any land). This is a great way to preserve the natural habitat of local animals and insects and will help to guard against invasive species. 
- Join a conservation organization to pool your efforts together. There is strength in numbers! 
- Drive slower and more mindfully to avoid collisions with any creatures, such as turtles, squirrels, and deer, for example. 
- Be mindful of how you travel, whether at home or in another country, and recognize local conservation concerns or efforts. 

To learn more, visit these websites: 
Conserve, Engery, Future 
Parks Canada 
World Wildlife Fund

A Silent Transformation - Co-operative tips here

Co-operatives are autonomous associations formed and democratically directed by people who come together to meet common economic, social, and cultural needs. Founded on the principle of participatory governance, co-ops are governed by those who use their services: their members (source).

Most co-operatives are formed and run on a membership model. If you have ever been to Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC), then you know to show your membership card when you are checking out. One of the best and easiest ways to begin to support a local co-op is to buy a membership. 

By buying a membership in a co-op you:

-become an owner of the co-op
-have a vote in meetings when resolutions on put on the table
-can apply to be a member of the Board and attend annual meetings

The co-operative model is not just used for housing, although co-operative housing is the most common type of co-op found in Burlington. A credit union, for example, is a member-owned financial co-operative, controlled by its members, and are an alternative to traditional banks. Other co-operatives are established and have different rules based on the needs of the community. 

Different co-ops also provide different services. Some provide housing, others may focus on food, pharmacy needs, clothing, building materials, auto fuel, crop supplies, animal feed, and farm and hardware equipment.

To learn more about co-operatives and how you can become involved, visit canada.coop

Call of the Forest - Native Tree Species and Gardening tips here

Charlie Briggs, from the Royal Botanical Gardens, has generously provided the presentation that he gave to our movie-goers after the screening of "Call of the Forest" on October 17th. 

Click here to view his presentation and action tips.