ARTICLE

GREEN TALK
By Lynda Bausinger

A new and exciting environmental education program is yours…for the taking

Hello readers! The Bruce Grey Environmental Resource Centre is a-buzz with activity…so much so that I find myself tardy in my newspaper column. Many exciting things have transpired over the course of the late winter that I thought I'd use this opportunity to bring everyone up to speed.

The Environmental Resource Centre is about to launch "SPEAR", an environmental education program. This program will be the in-house mandate for the centre. SPEAR is an acronym for: Stories Project; Pesticide Free Naturally; Energuide for houses; A healthy home guidebook & Rural Water Protection

Bruce Grey is home! Clean water and fresh air are what we expect for ourselves, our children and our loved ones. The Bruce Grey Environmental Resource Centre is proud to offer an Environmental Education Program that provides hands-on help to achieve this. Finally, a comprehensive approach that makes sense!

Each component of SPEAR targets the challenges that you face to ensure your family's healthy and safety. Whether your concern is safe well water, natural lawn care, or energy savings, the SPEAR initiative will provide you with sound choices and cost-effective answers.

Stories Project - One of the most important resources in any community is the rich life experience of the people who live there. The Stories Project harvests this valuable knowledge and brings it to life through storytelling and visual arts. Learn how family history, folklore and fish tales can reveal natural history secrets. Enjoy the Water Stories Prints as they teach and inspire. Visit our website or drop by the Centre, and ask how the Stories Project can work for you, to bridge the memories of yesterday with hope for tomorrow.

Pesticide Free Naturally is your chance to explore healthy lawn and garden care. Bugs in your lawn and garden are not all pests. Some can actually aid you in your projects! Simple household changes to your garden care can have a powerful effect on our ecosystem and our health. Explore the options available through natural lawn are and ensure your children a safe playground. Be sure to call the centre at 881-1795 if you would like to receive your free information kit. The Resource Centre will be hosting guest speakers John Pronk, N.D., Dr. Sergio Lappano, M.D., Sue Seguin D.H. and two colleagues from the Rachel Carson League. Join them May 14th and May 21st at 7pm as they share their knowledge of the importance of having a pesticide free world. To be held at the Victoria Jubilee Hall, Walkerton. Be on the lookout for the "ladybug" posters for all the details.

Energuide for houses - The Bruce Grey Environmental Resource Centre is proud to offer this Natural Resources Canada energy savings program. Our trained, certified Energuide technician is an expert at finding heat loss sources in your home. His recommendations can improve your comfort and reduce your bills. Rest easy, knowing that you've saved energy and money with the help of the Home Performance Experts. Call the centre to arrange a time that works for you!

A Healthy Home Guidebook is designed especially for the rural homeowner. Filled with practical information, tips, tricks and tools, this user-friendly resource will help you protect and enjoy the place you love most. Environmental change at the household level is a powerful tool. We invite you to explore all the ways you can enhance your environment. Make a commitment to safe, creative living today.

Rural Water Protection - Our successful water quality program is expanding! A trained water advisor will lead you on a tour of your rural property, focusing on well head safety, and proper maintenance, best management practices for septic system, water conservation, reduced cosmetic pesticide application and all aspects of ground water safety. And, for those who qualify, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority will offer substantial funding for well and septic upgrades.

The Walkerton Healthy Community Initiative runs and directs the Bruce Grey Environmental Resource Centre located in Suite #4 of Victoria Jubilee Hall. We encourage you to drop the by the centre for all your environmental and healthy community needs. Our new website at www.whci.org is up and running with more information on SPEAR and an opportunity to view and purchase limited edition Stories Project Prints.

I would like to thank all of our partners who have helped make the SPEAR initiative a reality. These partners include: The Ontario Trillium Foundation, Environment Canada, Human Resources Development Canada, The Ontario Arts Council, The Walkerton Community Foundation, The Municipality of Brockton, The Municipality of West Grey, The Grey Bruce Public Health Unit, The Green Communities Association, The Ontario Healthy Community Coalition, , Millennia Books, Northland Printing & Imaging, Sharon Porter Illustrations, and The Japanese Paper Company.

It is with the support of these partnerships, dedication and our community's pursuit of environmental excellence that all things are possible.