WILDSIGHT ELK VALLEY is celebrating 25 WILD years with Wild Nature Tours and our new downtown office come visit us at

wildsight.ca

891 2nd Ave FernieMon-Fri, 10am-4pm

THE FREE PRESS ~ APRil 2012

INSIDE! Earth WEEK Events Schedule

April 22

Featuring Elk Valley residents & community groups that support environmental initiatives

go green

Earth Day • April 22 www.earthdayfernie.ca

Many people believe ‘everyday is Earth Day.’ We agree, but also think it’s important to dedicate a day to do something out of the ordinary

and celebrate our environment in a creative and community-focused way. That’s why this year the 2012 Earth Day celebrations include two days packed full with events for community members of all ages. We are challenging everyone to get involved in one way or another.

In Fernie, the excitement takes place on Saturday, April 21 and Sunday, April 22 at the Fernie Community Center. These two days offer the community lots of opportunity to celebrate the 42nd annual Earth Day event that is celebrated worldwide.

The Saturday celebrations start off with a Green Drinks event and Think Tank Cinema screening of Surviving Progress, produced by Martin Scorsese. Come down and enjoy a special Think Tank cinema film screening, DJ, dancing and delicious drinks from the Green Drinks bar.

Sunday events feature the 6th annual Trashy but Flashy Fashion Show, EcoGarden Seed Swap, Freecycle and interactive activities. You don’t want to miss the trash and fashion that is fused on the runway during the fashion show. Check out the photos from previous years at www.facebook.com/earthdayfernie

Don’t forget about the Freecycle event that takes place all weekend. The aim of this event is to

reduce the amount of garbage ending up in the landfill by diverting unwanted items to be

re-used. Reusing and recycling household items instead of discarding them reduces

pressures on our municipal facilities, and is a great way to not only get rid of your underused items, but to find some great treasures of your own! Drop off useful stuff you no longer need on Saturday, April 21 from 12pm-6pm and Sunday, April 22 from 11am-2pm.

Come by on Sunday, April 22 from 2pm-6pm to find new treasures.

The Earth Day organizing committee is really excited about this amazing weekend full of

events, and hopes that you’ll find something to get involved in. For more information check out the Earth

Day website at www.earthdayfernie.ca

Happy Earth Day!

Trashy but

as part of earthday celebrationslearn more at...

sundayApril 22nd

earthdayfernie.ca

at Communitycenter

2pm doors 3pm show

fusingtrash &

fashion on the runway

6th AnnualFlashy Fashion Show

learn more at www.facebook.com/earthdayfernie

G2 THE FREE PRESS, APRIL 2012

go green ~ earth week 2012

Welcome to Earth Week 2012!

Earth Day Committee: LeeAnne Walker, Lesley Graham,Casey Brennan, Mary Cosman, Dawn Deydey, Kai Deydey

Missing: Ryland Nelson, Sharon Switzer, Ayla Bennett, Megan Walsh

Our Newsprint is made from over 50%

recyled paper

WE

REDUCE• Share with a friend

• Train the puppy• Use as packing

•Arts & Crafts paper

REUSEPlease be

responsible and recycle

your paper!

RECYLCE

100% canola based inksWE USE: A cold web offset printing process

which creates no emissions

THE FREE PRESS, APRIL 2012 G3

go green ~ earth week 2012

EVENTSEARTH WEEKWWW.EARTHDAYFERNIE.CA

Fernie Puppy SchoolWe reduce the carbon footprint these ways:

1. We asked the city of Fernie to use biodegradeable pooper scooper bags in all dispensers a few years back. They eagerly complied.

2. All students in our classes are shown how to properly use these biodegradeable baggies and students are taught to use them when walking their dog on every public property and even on mountain trails where humans walk or hike.

3. We inform students they can purchase biodegradeable baggies at Barkside Pets and Overweitea foods in Fernie.

4. Pets are great companions and healers, helping humans to have enriched lives.

Fernie Puppy School: offering puppy classes in May and June.Call Cathy Smith-Clark 250-423-7257.

[over 25 years experience]

The success of our tournament is due mainly to the generous support of local businesses, individuals and groups.

11th AnnualFERNIE ROTARY

Charity Golf Tournament

2012 BeneficiariesA Clear View - digital stereotactic mammography Shelter Box Canada

A Good Day, A Good Time... For A Good Cause

ENTRY FEES:• Single Adult (w/dinner) - $110

• Couples (w/dinner) - $200 • Team of 4 - $350

Non Playing Dinner Tickets $35

REGISTER BY MAY 7TH, 2012or contact us anytime to become a sponsor.

Call Aysha Haines 250-531-3999 or email golf@fernierotary.org

Fernie Golf and Country Club • Saturday, May 12th, 2012

Sponsorship Opportunities:* Hole Sponsors *

* Hole in 1 sponsors * * Silent Auction Items * * Prize Donations *

Saturday & SundayApril 21st and 22nd

Freecycle Help discover the hidden treasures in your community. It’s another way to RETHINK GARBAGE and protect our most precious treasure – our environment. What a great way to clear out outgrown and underused household items - things that might be exactly what others are looking for. The aim of this event is to reduce the amount of garbage ending up in the landfill by diverting unwanted items to be re-used! Reusing and recycling household items instead of discarding them reduces pressures on our municipal facilities, and is a great way to not only get rid of your underused items, but to find some great treasures of your own! Not sure what you should drop off? Learn more at www.earthdayfernie.caSo how does it work?- Drop off items at the Fernie Community Center on Saturday, April 21 from 12pm-6pm and Sunday, April 22 from 11am-2pm- Come by on Sunday, April 22 from 2pm-6pm to check out the treasures and take some home with you.

Saturday

April 21st 6pm-11pm

Green DrinksGREEN DRINKS is an international phenomenon with groups in over 200 cities around the world. GREEN DRINKS is a couple hours of mingling, with no structure or speakers. Everyone is welcome, whatever the motivation. These nights provide a unique opportunity to just talk. Check out www.greendrinks.org to learn more about this informal, organic, self-organizing network.Enjoy Fernie Green Drinks with the delicious green drinks bar open from

6pm-11pm, with screening of Surviving Progress at 7pm; a party after film with dancing & DJ. Entrance $5

Think Tank CinemaHumanity’s ascent is often measured by the speed of progress. But what if progress is actually spiraling us downwards, towards collapse? Ronald Wright, whose best-seller A Short History Of Progress, and inspired SURVIVING PROGRESS, shows how past civilizations were destroyed by “progress traps” - alluring technologies and belief systems that serve immediate needs, but ransom the future. As pressure on the world’s resources accelerates and financial elites bankrupt nations, can our globally-entwined civilization escape a final, catastrophic progress trap? With potent images and illuminating insights from thinkers who have probed our genes, our brains, and our social behaviour, this requiem to progress-as-usual also poses a challenge: to prove that making apes smarter isn’t an evolutionary dead-end. EXECUTIVE PRODUCER - MARTIN SCORSESE. Screening at 7pm. Entrance $5

Sunday April 22nd

Reflect on WaterJoin Lee-Anne Walker, Executive Director of Elk River Alliance, this Earth Day to reflect on water, a powerful element connecting our faith community requiring stewardship. 10 am at the United Church.

Seed SwapBy growing and saving seed from food varieties that have adapted to our unique Elk Valley climate we are, on the global scale, contributing to the biodiversity of the world’s cultivated plants. On the local scale we are supporting healthy, sustainable food production and food security for ourselves and our community.

Gardeners who have seeds which they have collected are encouraged to bring any they can share. We ask that seeds brought are cleaned and labeled with variety and type. Anyone who wants to grow locally grown seeds can come to select seeds that have been donated by other gardeners. A small cash donation is appreciated.At seed swaps you will also find information about the EcoGarden and its activities, share information about gardening in general, learn how to grow plants for seed saving, and understand why it’s important to save seeds in the first place. Runs 2pm-5pm on Sunday, April 22nd

Trashy but Flashy Fashion ShowThe highlight of Earth Day for many is the annual Trashy But Flashy Fashion Show. For the 6th year in a row, the Fashion Show aims to inspire the community to assess their consumption patterns by demonstrating creative methods of re-using. Previous years have featured: a bubble wrap tuxedo; a coffee filter dress; and a young warrior created from coffee and flour bags. No fashion show would be complete without a make-up artist, a catwalk, lights, and a DJ. There is a place for every style, age and ability. Cash prizes are distributed for a number of categories. A panel of judges will be looking for elements of recycled material used, unique use of materials, creativity, and craftsmanship. Fashion show starts at 3pm. This free event also offers interactive activities for the whole family.

G4 THE FREE PRESS, APRIL 2012

go green ~ earth week 2012THE FREE PRESS, APRIL 2012 G5

go green ~ earth week 2012

It’s In Your Hands

For more information, contact the RDEK at 250-489-2791 or 1-888-478-7335

April 22, 2012 is Earth Day

Earth Week is a great time to think about what each of us can do to make a positive difference. Reducing, reusing and recycling really add up. This year, they have two Earth Day challenges: Act for the Planet (for schools and students) and Take It Up for Earth Day (for everyone).

The 2012 Earth Day challenges offer: • Step-by-step guides that kids, teachers/

group leaders can use• Tips and activities for individuals, groups

and businesses to work together to keep commitments

• Chances to win great prizes and rewards.

www.earthday.ca

Earth Day Fun TriviaEarthDaywasfirstcelebratedin:

A) 1960B) 1965

C) 1970D) 1975

Which household appliance uses the most energy?A) RefrigeratorB) Toaster

C) DishwasherD) Washing machine

Recycling 1,000 kg of aluminum saves enough energy to heat a/an ____________ for 10 years.

A) Typical homeB) Elementary school

C) Corner storeD) Restaurant

Whathouseholdapplianceusesthesecondmostamountofenergy(thefirstistherefrigerator)?

A) Hair dryerB) Clothes Dryer

C) MicrowaveD) Computer

The average Canadian home is illuminated by ___ light bulbs:A) 31B) 41

C) 51D) 61

The average Canadian uses 36,000 L of water each year for:A) ShowersB) Dish Washing

C) LaundryD) Toilet Flushing

Composting can reduce your household waste by:A) 10%B) 25%

C) 50%D) 75%

Answers: C; A – Refrigerators use about 11% of a household’s total energy consumption; A - Recycling 1,000 kg of aluminum saves the equivalent of 10,000 L of gasoline; B; B; D - the average toilet uses about 19 litres per flush; C.

Both your alkaline and rechargeable batteries are recyclable.

From AAA to odd size batteries (like the ones in your portable phone), batteries can be recycled in many communities around the region.

The drop off locations for old batteries and cellphones in the Elk Valley include:

City of FernieFernie Aquatic Centre

Unused and expired medicines can be returned to pharmacies participating in the Medications Return Program.

What’s accepted:All prescription drugsNon-prescription medicationHerbal productsVitamin and mineral supplementsThroat lozenges

What’s NOT accepted:Cosmetics, skin care productsDisinfectants/cleanersContact lens solutionsSunscreen/suntan lotionMouthwashes and toothpastes

Proper disposal of medicines is important. Check dates on medications today - and call your local pharmacy to see if they are participating in the Return Program.

For more information visit www.medicationsreturn.ca. Paper, cardboard, tin

cans, grocery bags and

plastics #1-#6 go in the

yellow bins in the RDEK

and the City of Fernie’s

blue bag program.

Glass goes in the yellow bins marked “Glass Only”.

The only glass that is accepted for recycling is food-grade glass, which is anything that holds your food or beverages. This includes:

• jam jars• salsa jars

• olive oil jars• beverage bottles

Dishes, picture frames, trinkets, ceramics, light bulbs, window glass, etc. should NEVER go in the glass recycling bin. They contaminate the load and could cause the entire bin to be landfilled.

In the Elk Valley, the glass recycling bins are located at the Elkford Transfer Station, Elkford Camp Road, Sparwood Heights, next to Sparwood Esso, Sparwood Transfer Station, Silver Fox Pub, Fernie Transfer Station and Fernie Bottle Depot.

The electronics recycling depot for the Elk Valley is:Fernie Bottle Depot1291 Ridgemont Avenue, FerniePhone: 250-423-2009

They accept a wide range of electronics, including:• Televisions• Computers & peripherals

(keyboard, mouse)• Monitors• Fax machines• DVD/VHS players• Scanners• Stereos, MP3 players & docking

stations

• Speakers• Earphones• Microphones• Telephones• Discman, walkman• Radios• Cable, satellite and PVR boxes• Vehicle audio and video systems

This year the program also expanded to include over 120 new items, such as:

• Blenders• Microwaves• Food Processors and mixers• Bread makers• Coffee grinders• Clocks and timers

• Bathroom scales• Ironing Boards and Irons• Portable fans• Portable heaters• Automatic toothbrushes• Electric razors

Recycling Your Old Electronics

You can use ANY yellow bin in the East Kootenay. Here are some quick tips to remember when recycling in the Elk Valley:

• All plastics MUST be clean and have a number between 1 and 6. That number must be in the triangular recycling symbol. If there is no number, it should go in the garbage if it can’t be reused.

• All plastic grocery/shopping bags can be recycled -- even if they don’t have a number on them. This is the only item that can be recycled if it doesn’t have a number. All other plastics must be numbered

• Styrofoam CANNOT be recycled -- even if it is marked with a number 6.

• Tin cans should be well rinsed with labels removed, if possible.

• Cardboardshouldbeflattenedtosavebinspace.

• All paper products can go in the yellow bins (and Fernie’s blue bag program) -- including hard and soft cover books. Foil covered or waxy papers (like milk cartons or foil greeting cards) cannot be recycled. Milk cartons can be taken to the Fernie Bottle Depot for recycling.

Recycling 101 - The Basics

In BC, over

50,000 kg of

unused or expired

medicines are

collected each year

Batteries IncludedMedications Return

LightRecycleisthenewBCfluorescentlightrecyclingprogram.Eachrecyclinglocationwillacceptyourburntoutcompactfluorescentandtubefluorescentlightbulbs, free of charge.

The recycling program is for residentially generated lights only. The commercial and industrial recycling program is expected to begin later in 2012.

There are currently two LightRecycle Depots in the East Kootenay:

Fernie Home Building Centre300 Manitou Road

Cranbrook Home Hardware1901 McPhee Road

Incandescent lights cannot be recycled at this time. For more information, visit www.productcare.org

Fluorescent Lights Can Be Recycled

What You Need to Know About GlassLearn More About Earth Day

From the 766 i n d i v i d u a l s throughout the

Elk Valley that are signed up to BC Hydro’s “Team PowerSmart”, to the local governments of Elkford, Sparwood and Fernie that are committed to reducing their own energy and emissions, our communities are taking steps towards becoming more sustainable and resilient.

The power of the sun is being used throughout the Elk Valley - solar aerators are used at the sewage lagoons in Elkford, new solar lighting has been installed along a pathway in Sparwood, and the Fernie Aquatic Centre captures energy from the sun to heat water for the

showers. Domestic solar hot water systems are popping up on houses throughout Fernie, and residents are seeing reductions in natural gas consumption as a result. Changes are being made to buildings to improve efficiency - new lights are being installed in municipal buildings throughout the Elk Valley, and a heat recovery system is capturing the waste heat from the dehumidification process at the Fernie Aquatic Centre, cutting down significantly on the amount of natural gas being used to heat the pools. Houses throughout the Elk Valley are undergoing major renovations, with improvements to insulation, windows, roofs and

fireplaces. A toilet exchange in Sparwood is encouraging the installation of efficient models to reduce community-wide water consumption.

The decision to improve the efficiency of your home or business may be motivated by the desire to ‘make a difference’, or it may be that you are looking to reduce monthly energy bills – to save money. Addressing efficiency can be as simple or complex as you’d like to make it. The great news is that there are all sorts of resources out there to support your commitment to becoming more energy efficient.

BC Hydro offers a variety of incentives to help offset the cost of more efficient lighting,

appliances, electronics, windows and more. Check out http://www.bchydro.com/rebates_savings/ to find out what rebates and coupons are available to help you make the switch to more efficient products.

Fortis BC offers a similar rebate program, with a focus on natural gas appliances. Purchase an efficient clothes washer, and receive $75 back from Fortis! Check out: http://fortisbc.com/NaturalGas/Homes/Offers/Pages/default.aspx for more information about the rebates available.

Keep an eye on the LiveSmart BC website for incentives available for homes and transportation. Incentive

programs change according to available funding. It’s worth checking the following link http://www.livesmartbc.ca/incentives/index.html to take advantage of opportunities to save on home efficiency projects

If you live in Sparwood, rebates are currently available for the replacement of an inefficient toilet to a low-flow model. More information is available at http://www.sparwood.ca/rebates.

We’re in an era of increasing energy prices and increasing demand for energy. Becoming more efficient, and looking for new and creative ways to make and use energy will encourage more resilient communities.

Est. 1898

THE FREE PRESS

THE FREE PRESS

Schedule

InsideThe Free Press ~ March 2012

Fernie’s Winter Festival

March 2 - 3 - 4Brought to you by the

Fernie Chamber of Commerce

Fernie’s Winter Festival

March 2 - 3 - 4March 2 - 3 - 4Brought to you by the

Fernie Chamber of Commerce

Fernie’s Winter Fernie’s Winter Festival

March 2 - 3 - 4March 2 - 3 - 4Brought to you by theBrought to you by the

Fernie Chamber of CommerceFernie Chamber of Commerce

Welcometo

2012

Check out full E-editions of The Free Press as it looks in print as well as all our special sections

including Real estate.

@ www.thefreepress.ca

G6 THE FREE PRESS, APRIL 2012

go green ~ earth week 2012

Energizing the Valley

2nd Annual Best Ball Charity

Golf Tournament

All proceeds go towards the Elkford Early Childhood Development Committee

$250/team of 4 registration fee

One cart per team (based on availability)

Steak dinner included

Silent Auction

Guaranteed FUN

Friday June 1st, 2012

Mountain Meadows Golf Course Elkford, BC

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 1:00 ~ Registration & Silent Auction Opens 2:00 ~ Shot Gun Start 5:00 ~ Dinner 6:30 ~ Awards & Silent Auction Closes 7:00 ~ Poker Tournament Begins

Sponsored by:

To register a team please contact:

Jennifer 250-865-7156

elkfordecd@gmail.com

The 2011 charity tournament raised over $7000 that was used to help

support such programs and events such as:

Mom and Me Parent and Tot Fun Times

Kidnasium Books for Babies

The Teddy Bear Picnic Cookie Decorating Toboggan Parties

Winter in the Wild Preschool Dance

You don’t have to look far to find examples of how communities in the Elk Valley are using energy in effective and efficient ways

We challenge you this Earth Day to change one thing in your hometo reduce your energy consumption...

your energy bills will reward you!

For more information,

contact Megan

Lohmann:

megan.lohmann@gmail .com

or 250.531.0690

The Fernie Community EcoGarden

has launched a new way for Elk Valley residents to garden more, a GardenShare program. Based on their AppleShare program that links tree owners with those that want to harvest fruit, the GardenShare program hopes to do the same for garden space in the area.

“More and more people are itching to get their hands in the soil and start gardening,” said Dawn Deydey, part of the Community EcoGarden advisory committee. “Due to rising food costs and the many benefits of eating locally grown foods, many more people in our community are planning to plant a garden this year.”

The SharedGardens project is partly a response to the success of the Fernie Community EcoGarden, which is filled to capacity each year. “We keep having to turn people, even though we doubled the number of our plots in 2009,” Deydey said.

The SharedGarden website can benefit both gardeners and those with space to share. Many of our older gardeners just can’t handle the large gardens of their past. Some people travel so much throughout the summer and just can’t manage a garden on their own. The SharedGardens site helps make it possible to continue gardening by facilitating connections in our community between those that want gardens, and those that need help. In exchange for sharing some of your yard or garden space, you get the help you need.

Visit the webpage now at www.EcoGarden.ca/SharedGardens and allows people post their unused garden space, so hopeful gardeners can find it. It also has a section that explains how to make garden sharing go smoothly for those involved.

In addition to the benefits to gardeners and those who want to fill their empty yards, sharing gardens has several other benefits. It cuts down on greenhouse gases by limiting the travel to get your vegetables to your table. It connects you to family, friends and neighbors. It helps you eat more fresh veggies and avoid pesticides.

Most important, Deydey said, is that yard sharing lays the groundwork for local food systems that are more resilient to fluctuating global economic trends. “Gardening increases our individual and community food security. It’s not only fun, it’s a step to a more secure future.”

THE FREE PRESS, APRIL 2012 G7

go green ~ earth week 2012

Talking about and learning how we keep the Elk River drinkable, fishable, swimable

Pre

serv

e th

e E

lk R

iver

Contact: Lee-Anne Walker • Elk River All iance, Executive Director• leeanne@elkriveral l iance.ca • www.elkriveral l iance.ca 250.423.4306 office or 250.423.1682 cel l

Water is our most valuable natural resource. All life needs it, yet we treat it like

it will never stop running clean, always be available when we want it, with enough of it to share. At the same time as these expectations, our water faces unprecedented changes.

Think about human activity in our watershed today. There are 5 metallurgical coalmines with demanding markets and expansion plans as well as a new proposed coal mine under the Elk River. Summer tourism is growing and with the river as a premier fishing destination there is increased pressure on native Westslope cutthroat and bull trout. Urban expansion and development from an increasing workforce and amenity migrants contributes more chemicals and pollutants into the receiving environment. Add to this the uncertainty of climate change, retreating glaciers and changing snow conditions.

When precipitation falls in our valley on the peaks above, each droplet of water or melted snow drains into the Elk River, thus defining our watershed. Any action in one part of it will often result in impacts throughout.

Watersheds capture water, filter, store and determine its release. Humans impact

it and our activities have to be managed. This is a tricky dance that combines scientific and technical information balanced with cultural and societal values. It also takes energy and political willpower to keep our water clean.

What will it take to keep the Elk River drinkable, fishable and swimable and pass on the legacy of a healthy watershed to our children and grandchildren?

The Elk River Alliance (ERA), a community-based water group is taking a proactive approach to healthy water in our watershed by connecting people to the Elk River in three key ways:

1) Make information available to people about our watershed respecting the right for community to know about their water;

2) Get people out in the watershed wading into restoration and getting wet doing enhancement activities;

3) Increase community water literacy through education and gathering scientific water data, building our capacity to participate in decision making for a water sustainable future.

To ensure drinking water for humans, habitat for wildlife and protect our source of recreation and enjoyment, we need a plan. There is an old saying “fail to plan: plan to fail” and water quality and quantity

is too important to people of the Elk Valley to knowingly harm it.

For this reason, ERA is hosting an Elk River Watershed Dialogue: Opportunity for Collaboration and Effective Action May 30 in Fernie’s Best Western. This conference will facilitate meaningful conversations that matter for the health of the Elk River watershed. By harnessing the resourcefulness in our diverse approaches to water thinking and management. This day promises interesting activities, using new tools, and innovative techniques. Dive into deep conversation, building relationships while kicking off an approach to watershed thinking and acting with the long-range goal of an Elk River Watershed Plan by 2015.

Building on the FLOW (Friends Living on Water) conversations held in Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford, March/April 2011, this dialogue will start with a summary of what we heard from Elk River watershed residents, community groups and industry. Elk River community residents worked on a vision, issues and priorities for action during the FLOW Conversations (to see the full summary report go to www.elkriveralliance.ca).

The Elk River needs a watershed strategy. To start the process we must first identify

the issue to be solved in our pursuit of water sustainability. By analyzing these concerns we can investigate causes and suggest solutions. To implement solutions requires resources and commitment to feedback. Evaluating solutions depends on the feasibility, cost, effects and acceptability to the community. When decisions are made, we need to evaluate their success and modify the plan accordingly. The purpose of this watershed planning effort is to achieve an acceptable desired watershed future.

To prepare community for participating in this dialogue, ERA is hosting Elk River Watershed 101, on Water Wednesdays April 25 and May 2, 2012, 7pm-9pm. Topics covered will be the Elk River watershed and function, freshwater ecology, issues/challenges facing our river, and understanding the watershed planning process.

These two sessions will take place at the Wildsight office, 891 - 2nd Avenue in Fernie. Pre registration required for both and it is FREE. For more information about Watershed 101 or the upcoming Watershed Dialogue call Lee-Anne Walker, ERA Executive Director at (250) 423-3322 or email lee-anne@elkriveralliance.ca.

On a chilly Earth Day in 2006, the Fernie Community EcoGarden held its first Seedy Saturday in the gazebo at Rotary Park. Since then, EcoGarden members have presented their seed sharing events at the Griz Days craft fair

and the Earth Day celebration every year.Numbers of these community-based events are increasing every year in Canada.

Besides offering opportunities for gardeners to meet and to share seeds from their favorite vegetables, these initiatives support deeply vital issues of preserving genetic diversity and the security of our human food supply.

It is estimated that farmers produced about 80,000 species of plants before the advent of industrialized agriculture; now they rely on about 150. Since the beginning of the 20th century, about 75% of the genetic diversity of agricultural crops has been lost worldwide.

This has resulted from a number of factors but, over the last two decades, there is one which may pose the greatest threat to our food supply. Large, multinational companies like Monsanto have been pursuing policies of buying out small seed companies, deleting many food varieties from catalogues and marketing their own hybrid and patented seeds. With growing resistance to their programs in Europe and North America, these companies are shifting their focus to agriculture in the developing world.

For us, this means that both home gardeners and farmers are increasingly forced to buy new seeds each year from these corporate sources. Often farmers are legally prevented from using their own saved seed for planting subsequent crops, because they had purchased patented seed.

Companies like Monsanto are also at the forefront of developing genetically modified crops, and wind pollination from GM plants to neighboring crops mean that, legally, the neighboring crops eventually will contain the proprietary genes. They are also trying to establish in the marketplace seeds which, when grown out, do not produce viable seed. The results of these policies are indeed a frightening threat to world food supply.

Moreover, by becoming dependent on these companies for seed, our gardeners and farmers are at risk of losing the knowledge and techniques of traditional seed saving and plant propagation.

Seeds of Diversity Canada (www.seeds.ca ) is an organization comprised of ordinary Canadian gardeners who generously grow and offer seeds of their favorite food plants to other members. Started in 1988 with 140 seed varieties, their seed directory has grown to include 3,380 varieties in 2011. In addition to publishing journals and a seed-saving manual, they promote small seed companies producing heirloom, open-pollinated and organic varieties.

With seed swaps and seed-saving instruction, the Fernie Community EcoGarden (www.seeds.ca ) provides support to local gardeners who want to grow their own food and collect seeds for planting. At its events, locally grown seeds are shared and gardeners are encouraged to produce and share seeds. The resulting benefits of encouraging local growers are enormous to our community. Varieties that have adapted to our climate, grown without pesticides, herbicides and harmful fertilizers in home gardens can be shared or sold in farmers markets. All gardeners, no matter how small their gardens, can contribute to local, sustainable food production, and live the tradition of caring for the biodiversity of the world’s cultivated plants. For more information vis it www.ecogarden.ca

Denise Holden tours through the EcoGarden

Got extra garden space? Want to garden but don’t have space? Shared gardens is the place to make the connections.

Sharing Seeds: our contribution to biodiversity

and food security

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he fi

ne p

rint

: •, *

, ‡, ∞

, § T

he C

anad

a’s

Fast

est G

row

ing

Auto

mak

er E

vent

offe

rs a

re li

mite

d tim

e of

fers

whi

ch a

pply

to re

tail

deliv

erie

s of

sel

ecte

d ne

w a

nd u

nuse

d m

odel

s pu

rcha

sed

from

par

ticip

atin

g de

aler

s on

or a

fter A

pril

3, 2

012.

Dea

ler o

rder

/trad

e m

ay b

e ne

cess

ary.

Offe

rs s

ubje

ct to

cha

nge

and

may

be

exte

nded

w

ithou

t not

ice.

See

par

ticip

atin

g de

aler

s fo

r com

plet

e de

tails

and

con

ditio

ns. •

$19,

998

Purc

hase

Pric

e ap

plie

s to

201

2 Do

dge

Gran

d Ca

rava

n Ca

nada

Val

ue P

acka

ge (2

9E+

CL9)

onl

y an

d in

clud

es $

8,00

0 Co

nsum

er C

ash

Disc

ount

. Pric

ing

incl

udes

frei

ght (

$1,4

00–

$1,5

00) a

nd e

xclu

des

licen

ce, i

nsur

ance

, reg

istra

tion,

any

dea

ler a

dmin

istra

tion

fees

and

oth

er a

pplic

able

fees

and

app

licab

le

taxe

s. D

eale

r or

der/

trade

may

be

nece

ssar

y. D

eale

r m

ay s

ell f

or le

ss. S

ee p

artic

ipat

ing

deal

ers

for

com

plet

e de

tails

. *Co

nsum

er C

ash

Disc

ount

s ar

e of

fere

d on

sel

ect n

ew 2

012

vehi

cles

and

are

man

ufac

ture

r-to

-dea

ler

ince

ntiv

es, w

hich

are

ded

ucte

d fro

m t

he n

egot

iate

d pr

ice

befo

re t

axes

. Am

ount

s va

ry b

y ve

hicl

e. S

ee y

our

deal

er f

or c

ompl

ete

deta

ils. ‡

4.99

% p

urch

ase

finan

cing

for

up

to 9

6 m

onth

s av

aila

ble

on th

e ne

w 2

012

Dodg

e Gr

and

Cara

van

Ultim

ate

Fam

ily P

acka

ge m

odel

s to

qua

lifie

d cu

stom

ers

on a

ppro

ved

cred

it th

roug

h Ro

yal B

ank

of C

anad

a, S

cotia

bank

, TD

Auto

Fin

ance

and

Ally

Cre

dit C

anad

a. D

eale

r or

der/

trade

may

be

nece

ssar

y. D

eale

r m

ay s

ell f

or le

ss. S

ee y

our

deal

er fo

r co

mpl

ete

deta

ils. E

xam

ple:

201

2 Do

dge

Gran

d Ca

rava

n Ul

timat

e Fa

mily

Pac

kage

w

ith a

Pur

chas

e Pr

ice

of $

26,9

98 (

incl

udin

g ap

plic

able

Con

sum

er C

ash

and

Ultim

ate

Fam

ily B

onus

Cas

h Di

scou

nts)

fin

ance

d at

4.9

9% o

ver

96 m

onth

s w

ith $

0 do

wn

paym

ent e

qual

s 20

8 bi

-wee

kly

paym

ents

of $

158

with

a c

ost o

f bor

row

ing

of $

5,77

2 an

d a

tota

l obl

igat

ion

of $

32,7

70. P

ricin

g in

clud

es f

reig

ht (

$1,4

00–

$1,5

00) a

nd e

xclu

des

licen

ce, i

nsur

ance

, reg

istra

tion,

any

dea

ler

adm

inis

tratio

n fe

es a

nd o

ther

app

licab

le fe

es a

nd ta

xes.

Dea

ler o

rder

/trad

e m

ay b

e ne

cess

ary.

Dea

ler m

ay s

ell f

or le

ss. ∞

Ultim

ate

Fam

ily V

an B

onus

Cas

h is

ava

ilabl

e to

ret

ail c

usto

mer

s on

pur

chas

e/le

ase

at p

artic

ipat

ing

deal

ers

of a

new

201

2 Do

dge

Gran

d Ca

rava

n m

odel

(exc

ludi

ng C

anad

a Va

lue

Pack

age

mod

els)

or a

ny n

ew 2

012

Chry

sler

Tow

n &

Coun

try

mod

el. T

he B

onus

Cas

h am

ount

($

1,25

0 fo

r m

odel

s eq

uipp

ed w

ith a

DVD

pla

yer;

$750

for

all

othe

r m

odel

s) w

ill be

ded

ucte

d fro

m t

he n

egot

iate

d pr

ice

afte

r ta

xes.

An

addi

tiona

l $75

0 w

ill be

sub

tract

ed f

rom

the

invo

ice

pric

e at

tim

e of

pur

chas

e/le

ase.

Som

e co

nditi

ons

appl

y. S

ee y

our

deal

er f

or c

ompl

ete

deta

ils. §

2012

Dod

ge G

rand

Car

avan

Cre

w s

how

n. P

rice

incl

udin

g ap

plic

able

Con

sum

er C

ash

Disc

ount

: $27

,395

. Pr

icin

g in

clud

es fr

eigh

t ($1

,400

–$1

,500

) and

exc

lude

s lic

ence

, ins

uran

ce, r

egis

tratio

n, a

ny d

eale

r adm

inis

tratio

n fe

es a

nd o

ther

app

licab

le fe

es a

nd a

pplic

able

taxe

s. D

eale

r ord

er/tr

ade

may

be

nece

ssar

y. D

eale

r may

sel

l for

less

. °Ba

sed

on Y

ear-T

o-Da

te th

is y

ear v

ersu

s la

st y

ear (

Oct

YTD

201

1 ve

rsus

Oct

YTD

201

0) R

. L. P

olk

Cana

da, I

nc. C

anad

ian

Natio

nal T

otal

NVR

Mar

ket S

hare

and

vo

lum

e ga

ins

data

by

bran

d. ^

Base

d on

ove

rall

carg

o an

d pa

ssen

ger

carr

y ca

paci

ty, f

eatu

res,

and

sea

ting

and

carg

o co

nfig

urat

ions

. ■Ba

sed

on W

ard’

s 20

12 S

mal

l Van

Seg

men

tatio

n. E

xclu

des

othe

r Ch

rysl

er G

roup

LLC

des

igne

d an

d/or

man

ufac

ture

d ve

hicl

es. ¤

Base

d on

201

2 En

erGu

ide

Fuel

Con

sum

ptio

n Ra

tings

. Tra

nspo

rt Ca

nada

test

met

hods

use

d. Y

our

actu

al fu

el e

cono

my

will

vary

ba

sed

on d

rivin

g ha

bits

and

oth

er fa

ctor

s. 2

012

Dodg

e Gr

and

Cara

van

Cana

da V

alue

Pac

kage

– H

wy:

7.9

L/1

00 K

M a

nd C

ity: 1

2.2

L/10

0 KM

. The

Bes

t Buy

Sea

l is

a re

gist

ered

trad

emar

k of

Con

sum

ers

Dige

st C

omm

unic

atio

ns L

LC, u

sed

unde

r lic

ence

. ®SI

RIUS

and

the

dog

logo

are

reg

iste

red

trade

mar

ks o

f SIR

IUS

Sate

llite

Rad

io In

c. ®

Jeep

is a

reg

iste

red

trade

mar

k of

Chr

ysle

r Gro

up L

LC.

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