COWICHAN GREEN COMMUNITY

In the News

• Food security concept taking root in Cowichan. Cowichan News Leader. December 27 2008
• Food Security Groups work together to make Community Food Action Initiative a reality. Newsleader, October 15, 2008
• Infosheet on Food Security in the Cowichan Valley. March 1, 2008 Cowichan News Leader. PDF Format.
• Greenest Garden Contest - Winners
  July 29/06
  CGC holds it's the Greenest Garden Contest, the first annual contest to promote sustainable urban gardening. Great gardens, celebrity judges, terrific prizes and a lot of fun made this first event a great success! Congratulations to the Cleoughs of Alderlea Street on winning first prize!
• Kinsmen Park Community Garden!!
  July 17/06
  CGC met with Chris Hall and Ernie Mansueti from the Municipality of North Cowichan and received approval to proceed with the development of Kinsmen Park Community Garden, (see Community Gardens). The park, which is located on Alderlea Street, rests on the borderline between the Municipality and the City of Duncan.
• FruitSave Fruit Tree Project Launched
  April/06
  CGC formally launched its FruitSave fruit tree project. With support from Service Canada and Vancouver Island Health Authority, the project's aim is to harvest otherwise unclaimed Valley fruit and put it to good use at food banks, community kitchens and other initiatives that support those in need.
  
• Two Community Forums on Food Security
  March 9 & 22/2006
  With support from the Vancouver Island Health Authority under its Community Food Action Initiative, CGC organized two community gatherings to initiate discussions on community food security in our region and to start to look at what is needed to develop a community food security plan.
• Rural Air Quality Forum
  February 23, 2006,
  CGC hosted a public forum on Rural Air Quality. Sponsored by the Ministry of the Environment, this meeting brought together federal and provincial environment agencies, municipal government, bylaw enforcement, representatives from non-profit groups, BC Lung Association, regional health, a retired respirologist, researchers and concerned individuals.
  
  The particular focus of their attention was on smoke pollution from outdoor burning and poor wood heating practices. The goals of this meeting were to:
  
  
  • Develop a position statement on behalf of the group that could be used by communities to invoke affirmative action across the province,
  • Identify potential/viable actions to abate smoke pollution, and
  • Network and exchange information.
    
• CGC Hosts Forum on Healthy, Efficient Housing!
  February 7, 2006,
  CGC hosted a free public forum on Healthy Housing. The event was targeted toward homeowners, contractors/builders, community/business developers, and anyone interested in housing as a community issue.
  
  It examined local housing health and efficiency issues including: mould, moisture, vermiculite, lead, indoor quality and "House As a System", best design/retrofit practices, implications to environment and community sustainability, marginalized groups and economic development.
  
  The program was one full day and, with an evening session for those who could not attend earlier. Over 90 people attended, making it a very successful event. The gathering was made possible with the support of BC Hydro and Service Canada and admission was free.
  
  Feedback for this event was excellent and as a result, follow-up meetings are now being planned.
• Food Futures Cowichan!
  January, 2006
  With primary support from Service Canada, CGC launches Food Futures Cowichan, a multifaceted program designed to help raise awareness of and improve Food Security in Cowichan, including venues for people to take positive action.