 | Hello Friend,
It’s been a while since you heard from us but we’re excited to share some updates from around Lanark County and CNL news.
CNL is gearing up for summer and change is afoot. We have an NHS Workshop follow-up, Electrify Lanark updates, volunteer requests, and some general news.
We'd like to mention again that due to the new system we're using, those who were unsubscribed are now subscribed again. We apologize for that and ask that you use the unsubscribe button at the bottom if you wish to unsubscribe again.
Our projects wouldn't be possible without your support and we will be forever grateful for that. If you'd like to donate to CNL, please use the Donate button at the bottom. - The CNL Team
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| |  | CNL Board Members at the NHS Workshop |
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| | We cannot pit development versus environment or development versus nature — to do so, threatens not only the intrinsic values of natural systems and their many benefits but erodes the very reason people want to live here.
CNL, County Councillors, Staff, and local environmental organizations met on May 8th at Council Chambers in Perth to discuss the need, and provincial requirement, of a Natural Heritage Systems Plan. CNL felt this workshop was a great success in informing the relevant parties.
The full follow-up can be found on our website. |
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| | | Electrify Lanark Forum: A Day of Inspiration and Community |
| | We are delighted to share the tremendous success of the Electrify Lanark Forum! Held on Saturday, May 18th at the Perth Legion, the event brought together a vibrant community of more than 85 attendees from across Eastern Ontario eager to explore and discuss sustainable practices and renewable energy solutions.
The forum featured a series of fascinating presentations from experts in the field. We were honoured to hear from leading Canadian sustainable energy guru Ralph Torrie and energy thinker Steve Lapp who reinforced that we can transition away from fossil fuels and to electricity without the hardships some are forecasting. Marion Siekierski from OREC explained local solar investing and we heard about utility scale electricity storage opportunities that will not only make our electricity system more resilient to the effects of severe weather but help to take greater advantage of renewables. All-in-all the speakers give us reason to hope and to be even more motivated to address the climate crisis.
The presentations are now posted on our website. Watch this space and local media also as we will be posting stories coming out of the Forum so those who didn’t attend can still benefit.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the forum was the powerful sense of community though we were honoured to welcome attendees from as far afield as Hamilton, Peterborough, Renfrew County and the far east of Ontario. Attendees engaged in lively discussions, exchanged ideas, and forged new connections.
Thank you once again for making the Electrify Lanark Forum a memorable and impactful event. We look forward to seeing you at our future workshops and events! |
| | | | Sat. June 8 – Electric Vehicles and Electric Bikes – Almonte Library and Farmers Market |
|  | Ray Leury and Mike Banks from EVCO – The Electric Vehicle Council of Ottawa -- will present on Busting the 10 Myths of EVs (there is a lot of misinformation flying around!). As well, they and their colleagues will bring EVs that people can take for test drives. And a special feature, local Lanark County area EV owners and drivers, including moi, will have their vehicles there and can answer questions. That’s not all. Jeff Mills is collaborating to bring in Electric Bikes. Promises to be a great event. |
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| Thurs. June 20 – Hot Water Heating Systems – Smiths Falls |
| |  | Drain water heat recovery is now mandated in new houses, just what is it? What’s the big deal with heat pump hot water systems? What’s the experience with instantaneous systems? Making water hot is typically the second largest energy expense in a house. What are the best and most economical ways to get off oil, natural gas and propane water heating and shift over to more efficient electric ways? |
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| Thurs. Sept. 19 – Heat Pumps – New Beckwith Town Hall |
| |  | Aside from a special opportunity to see the new Beckwith Town Hall – heated with heat pumps – you will have an opportunity to learn just about all there is to know about residential heat pumps. Bring all your questions to put to our expert. Learn how a heat pump works, how it exchanges heat, how it is used for both heating and cooling, why it’s more efficient and more cost-effective than gas, about financial assistance, and how it lowers your carbon footprint. |
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| Thurs. Sept. 26 – Home Resilience and Avoiding an Electrical Panel Upgrade -- Carleton Place |
|  | The Climate Crisis is here and now. This workshop will review the top-of-mind actions we can take to protect our homes and properties from severe weather events such as high winds, floods, droughts, and heat extremes. And, with adding more electricity using devices can come demands on your electrical panel. But there are some ways to possibly avoid this. |
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| Sat. Oct. 5 – Indoor Electric Appliances and Induction Stoves – TBD |
|  | Burning fossil fuels indoors is proving to be a major health concern, not just a climate problem. We’ll explore this and look specifically at how to choose an induction stove. We’re planning some fun with this one. Stay tuned. |
| | These workshops are free, courtesy of the Perth and District Community Foundation. Given the demand for our last two events, we’d encourage you to get your tickets ASAP! |
| | Collecting Ideas for Climate Adaptation |
| Lanark County is developing a Climate Adaptation Plan. CNL wants to collect and submit your ideas into the plan. Please send your point form thoughts and action ideas to hello@climatenetworklanark.ca by Monday, June 10. Consider how you, your neighbours, and your community can deal with the extremes of forest, fire and property fires, heat extremes, droughts, food shortages, and floods and what communications, transportation, and physical supports you might need. |
| | Stewart Park Festival - Call for Volunteers |
| VOLUNTEERS needed for our Green Waste Station at Stewart Park Festival (Comes with a bonus!)
Once again Climate Network Lanark is partnering with the Stewart Park Music Festival in a Greening the Festival initiative.
To make it work, we need volunteers.
As with any sizable event, a lot of waste in the form of food, bottles, and containers is generated by the folks in the crowd. The idea is simple. A CNL waste depot will be set up on the site. It will be staffed by volunteers with bins to collect food waste and recyclables.
Volunteers are needed to assist festival goers with disposal of their waste and to provide information on the value and importance of recycling and composting along with other environmental projects CNL is involved in.
Volunteers will do minimal sorting. Compostable material will go to Perth’s compost site. This effort keeps compostibles and recyclables out of general garbage and landfill, cutting the Greenhouse Gases generated in Lanark County. There will be some training involved and shifts will only be three hours each, or however long you can attend.
Oh yeah, the Bonus…Great live background music will be provided free of charge!
Please contact Mercedes Steedman if you are interested at hello@climatenetworklanark.ca
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| | | Carleton Place EarthFest 2024 was a true success!
Representatives from Lanark County and the surrounding area set up booths and tents filling the Beckwith Street Market Square.
There was something for everyone; live music, children's workshops, artists, and delicious food. Workshops and booths were set up to help inform about composting, regenerative farming, recycling, conservation, and healthy food preparation.
CNL could not have had a booth there without the amazing support from our volunteers. They faced the cool, damp conditions with grace. They inspired attendees to sign up for our newsletter, masterfully shared the carbon sink benefits of wetlands, and ensured that waste and compost were placed in the right containers.
Thank you again, volunteers!
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| | Day of Action to Protect Ontario from Gravel Mining |
| The Reform Gravel Mining Coalition (RGMC) is encouraging the involvement of groups around the province under threat from the incursion of aggregate extraction into environmentally sensitive areas. Friends of Lanark Highlands is hosting a Nature Walk that day, at Wheeler’s Maple on the Highland Line. |
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| | | | REAL's Miyawaki Forest Takes Root: A New Green Oasis in Smith Falls
The forest, inspired by the Miyawaki method of dense and diverse tree planting, will transform a greenspace between Empress, Sussex, Elgin, and Chambers Streets into a thriving mini-forest. |
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| | Solar PV Workshop: A Resounding Success! |
| We are thrilled to announce the incredible success of our recent Solar PV Workshop, which sold out well in advance! The workshop was held on April 25th at the Perth Library, and the turnout was beyond our expectations, with enthusiastic participants eager to learn about the benefits and intricacies of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The sold-out status of the event highlighted the growing interest and commitment of our community members to embrace renewable energy solutions.
Feedback from the attendees has been overwhelmingly positive. As one attendee said, "This was an excellent, eye-opening presentation, and Ian is obviously an expert in the field."
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended and made the workshop such a success. Your enthusiasm and participation drive our efforts to create a greener, more sustainable future for Lanark County.
Ian Killborn’s presentation, along with other valuable resources, is now available on our website under “Workshop Resources” on the Electrify Lanark page.
If you missed the Solar PV Workshop, don't worry! We have more exciting events and workshops planned. This spring, we will hold an Electric Vehicles, Bikes, and Chargers workshop in Almonte and a Hot Water Heating Systems workshop in Smith Falls. Tickets are free and can be reserved at Tickets Please. |
| | Federal Government Update - Home Retrofits |
| While the federal government’s Greener Homes program came to a sudden end for new registrants, it is continuing to see through the commitments made to people already in the system, and other related programs are still available. According to Natural Resources Canada, the closure of intake of new applications to the Canada Greener Homes Grant does not affect other Canada Greener Homes Initiatives, including the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program, and the Canada Greener Homes Loan. Applications will continue to be accepted to these programs. The Canada Greener Homes Loan is still available to help Canadians in making their homes more energy efficient and comfortable. It offers up to $40,000 in interest-free financing to homeowners at the pre-retrofit stage. Loan eligibility will continue to be based on the established eligibility criteria. There are other programs available throughout Canada which can help you make your home more energy efficient and reduce energy bills and household greenhouse gas emissions. Explore funding opportunities: |
| | Humm Team Productions Supports CNL |
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We are thrilled to share this community announcement:
Humm Team Productions is delighted to announce that all sponsorship money as well as a portion of ticket sales from their next show, The Wizard is… Odd!?, will be donated to Climate Network Lanark.
“We strongly believe that community theatre has a role to play – no pun intended! – in making our world a better place,” says Kris Riendeau, co-founder of Humm Team Productions. “Our previous shows have all had a fundraising component and this one is no different. We chose Climate Network Lanark this time because of the great work they are doing locally with respect to climate change.” |
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| The Wizard is… Odd!? is an original musical that tells of a father and daughter who move out of the big city and land in a small town. There, they find themselves entangled in a production of The Wizard of Oz, complete with a host of interesting characters, both on and off stage. Some drama, a few tears and lots of laughs ensue.
“The show is definitely not the Wizard of Oz, but it does include a couple of twisters and some stormy weather,” said Kris Riendeau, who is the show’s director as well as a co-producer with her husband and scriptwriter Rob Riendeau. “It strikes me that climate change results in more such extreme events, so there’s synchronicity in our pairing with CNL.”
For more information contact:
Kris Riendeau at 613-256-0315, kris@thehumm.com Corry McClure at corry@climatenetworklanark.ca. |
| | CAPE: Code Red for Climate |
| With wildfires once again dominating the headlines, the urgency of responding to climate disasters while tackling their root causes has never been clearer. Join the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment as they launch their newest initiative, ‘Code Red for Climate,’ with a special webinar on Wednesday, June 5 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT.
STOP fossil fuel disinformation
DROP climate-warming emissions
ROLL out near-term solutions to save lives now. |
| | | | We are delighted to recognize our Volunteers of the Month for their exceptional contributions to the success of the Electrify Lanark Forum. The dedication and hard work of our volunteers are what make our events truly special, and we are incredibly grateful for their support.
First and foremost, we would like to thank Louise McDiarmid and Janet Duncan for their outstanding work with registration. Their efficiency and warm welcome ensured a smooth start to the event for all attendees.
A huge thank you to Sally Hortop for her incredible efforts in the kitchen. From 8 in the morning to well past four in the afternoon, Sally worked tirelessly to ensure everyone was well-fed and refreshed throughout the day. Your hard work did not go unnoticed, Sally!
Peter Russell, we are immensely grateful for your assistance with the computer and managing the slides. Your technical expertise and calm demeanor helped keep the presentations running smoothly, allowing our speakers to focus on delivering their valuable insights.
Lastly, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Glenn Tunnock for his support and contributions. Your help was invaluable, and we appreciate everything you did to make the forum a success.
To all our volunteers, your dedication, enthusiasm, and hard work are deeply appreciated. You are the backbone of our organization, and we couldn't do it without you. Thank you for being such an integral part of our community and for helping us work towards a greener, more sustainable future for Lanark County.
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| | Our Projects Need Your Support |
| CNL wants to continue to grow our reach in the community. We have been working hard to expand our projects since we started four years ago. But to keep going, we need your help!
CNL relies on YOU in order to keep pushing for climate action in Lanark County. We need stable staff positions, and to do that we need stable funding. Projects that we are excited to expand may be stalled when we don't have a stable funding base. We would love for you to consider helping in any way you can. Please consider becoming a monthly donor and join the movement! We offer charitable receipts for your donation through our partnership with the Salal Foundation. Monthly donors receive an annual receipt in time for tax season.
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