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Nanaimo’s Earth Day event aims to inspire action, not just awareness

Apr 20, 2018 | 4:44 PM

NANAIMO — The organizer of Nanaimo’s Earth Day celebration aims to use the event to highlight the delicate state of our food system and inspire people to take action.

Chris Brown, an agricultural entrepreneur, activist, organic farmer and garden facilitator at John Barsby Community School, told NanaimoNewsNOW Saturday’s event will shine a spotlight on several local groups who are working towards food sustainability and environmental stewardship.

“It’s very intimidating for most people to think ‘How are we going to adapt to climate change?’ Part of that is lifestyle and this is an invitation to be aware of how we can do little lifestyle changes that will really add up.”

Brown said many people are aware of alarming statistics, like the fact Vancouver Island residents import 95 per cent of their food or how 75 per cent of Canada’s farmers will retire over the next 15 years. The disconnect, he said, is between knowing the stats and doing something about it.

“I really wanted to push this idea of action. People are saying ‘It sure sounds like awareness about food issues is expanding.’ What I’ve observed is that action isn’t meeting that awareness. So we are going to highlight earth service, earth action-taking groups in our community.”

Brown said through his work at Barsby as their garden facilitator he hopes to help students realize farming is a job and one that will be critical to the region and Canada’s future sustainability.

“I’m wanting to invite students to be aware of those relationships in nature that are absolutely precious for us to sustain on this earth. We are in environmental crisis worldwide and I’m really hoping to encourage a new generation of earth care stewards.”

He said Saturday’s event at John Barsby will give his students a chance to act as activists and ambassadors, sharing what they’ve learned with the broader community.

Earth Day 2018 runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 21 at John Barsby Community School and will feature more than 50 participants including farmers, seed and plant sellers, artists, crafters and activists. Local and wild-harvested food will be for sale at the school’s cafeteria.

The City will also be on hand, offering their wildly popular tree voucher program. For $20, people can get a voucher for a tree valued at up to $75 from a local garden centre. Those will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

There is also an invasive plant drop zone on April 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bowen Park and several work parties to tackle litter and invasive plants are planned at various locations.

 

 

 

dom@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @domabassi