Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
A consortium of Canadian and French companies, including Airex Energy, Groupe Rémabec, and SUEZ, are investing C$80 million to construct North America’s largest biochar production facility. This initiative highlights the growing global recognition of biochar’s potential in carbon sequestration and soil enhancement.
"I'm In" shines a light on sustainable strategies being undertaken by Canadian dairy farmers, through the sector's robust quality assurance program, proAction®, as well as other initiatives and innovations including a focus on soil health and water retention, plastics recycling, renewable energy and enhanced biodiversity. Highlighting these efforts are real farmers – who, for decades, have been making improvements that are beneficial for the farm and the environment – telling their own stories as they work year-round to produce high-quality, safe and nutritious milk. Canadians can continue to put their trust in dairy farmers who share their experience with real-life projects such as sustainable cropping practices (regenerative agriculture), wetland restoration, tree planting, carbon sequestration and more.
By 2031, after a decade of ever-increasing impacts on society due the rapidly warming climate, it became incumbent upon all levels of government to change how management of the land is managed, which includes water, soils, biodiversity and forests. The next decade was a transition period, as decision-making shifted to local communities rather than distant bureaucrats. The main goals for forestry became carbon sequestration, watershed protection and ecosystem health, rather than lumber and fibre. Forest exploitation ended and there was a social consensus to conserve and expand forests to help mitigate climate change.
The Okanagan Basin Water Board has approved more than $318,000 in funding to 17 projects that will help conserve and protect water in the valley while addressing the larger issues of climate change. Directors approved the Water Conservation and Quality Improvement grants at their last board meeting, April 2. Recipients have now been notified. In total, there were 31 applications with a total ask of $688,281.
