By Dr. Art Bomke, SPEC Director The article in the September 8th Vancouver Sun refers to recent census data that is reflecting a loss of farms and fewer farmers in Metro Vancouver. It may seem odd that an urban-based environmental organization like SPEC would be engaged in supporting local farmers, however, our ongoing Climate Change Adaptation …
Supporting Local Farmers in the Face of Changing Climate Read More »
By Daniel Rotman. Daniel is a co-facilitator of Master Recycler Vancouver. I’m a strong believer in the idea that sustainability requires us (all of us) to reach beyond our circles and networks and biases to empower change. It won’t be easy and it won’t look like we think it will. Take ZooShare for example. This new project …
Collaboration is the Name of the Sustainability Game Read More »
By Amrita Pooni Amrita is a student entering her final year of university. She is majoring in a B.A. of International Relations at the University of British Columbia. She is currently interning with the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) as the facilitator of the annual Westside Community Food Market (a partnership with Kitsilano Neighbourhood House). As a student, working on the Westside Community Food Market has …
Did you know that the BC Motor Vehicle Act here is 60 years old? The way the roads are being used has changed, and so should the rules that govern them. Please take action today. Check out what our friends at the HUB are proposing, lets make our voices heard, and ask our government to take action. Let’s be part of …
The City of Vancouver, Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Coastal Health combine to host discussions on catalyzing social connections In 2012, the Vancouver Foundation presented the results of a survey of metro Vancouver revealing that people in the region identified their greatest concern as a growing sense of isolation. You can read the entire study at: https://www.vancouverfoundation.ca//sites/default/files/documents/VanFdn-SurveyResults-Report.pdf Since that study, …
Jess Metter holding Betsy Fox “She was the most dedicated admin volunteer I have ever encountered.” Former SPEC Director Dan Rogers All volunteers are precious to community groups because they come with the gift of their person, their skills and dedication. Jess stood out for several reasons. First, she came in every week to provide …
Article from Vancouver-Point Grey Community Office Fall 2016 Newsletter, David Eby, MLA We had a quick chat with Oliver Lane, Exec Director of SPEC on the role of this great organization in the community. Q. What’s the best thing about working with SPEC?A. The people. It is a pleasure to work with staff and volunteers that bring such a …
VPG Portrait: Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) Read More »
Written by Karla Olson Why did you become a farmer? “I used to work in a government office doing IT and found myself looking out the window all the time longing to be in the fresh air and sunshine. I started volunteering with the permaculture Vancouver meet-up group and loved the experience of gardening and …
Meet Your Farmer: Q&A with Adam Soltys of Yummy Yards Read More »
Written by Karla Olsen Why did you become a farmer? “I left my office job to look for more fulfilling work in the environmental sector and through volunteering discovered that organic farming satisfied the environmentalist in me as well as giving me a sense of satisfaction that comes with hard, physical work, and seeing concrete …
Meet Your Farmer: Q&A With Karly Pinch of Shady Acre Farm Read More »
Written by Karla Olson It has been a fruitful, and veggieful, year at the school gardens!Thanks to the School Gardens Program, we have seen that the best way to get kids excited about eating vegetables is to have them grow them! This year, with the support of our generous donors, 12 schools across Vancouver were able …
