Local businesses must book space by May 31^st

Are you a ‘green’ business? Is your organization taking steps to protect or enhance the natural environment? Are you proud of your organization’s efforts towards environmental sustainability? Then it’s time to show Whistler what you’re doing for the environment by participating in the Enviro-Fest Fair in

Mountain Square on Saturday, June 7th from 11 am to 4 pm.

Interested businesses and organizations need to book their space by Saturday, May 31.

Supported by the RMOW and Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, Enviro-Fest Fair is focused on educating Whistler residents and guests about environmentally friendly choices. The event will be packed with interactive displays, fun activities and music performances by Bruno Be.

We provide participants with free tables and tents to set up their displays for the duration of the event. Participants are permitted to provide free samples, brochures, coupons, and other information, but may not sell any items. There are a limited number of spaces available. Don’t lose the opportunity to showcase your ‘green’ program, product or services.

To reserve a table or for more information, please contact Marie Fortin at 604-935-0772 or marie@hilltrip.com.

About Enviro-Fest
EnviroFest is an environmental festival in Whistler Village during the Canadian Environment Week. This year, Whistler community is gearing up for their biggest Enviro-Fest ever. Starting with the Gaia Gala opening ceremony on Fri. June 6 at MY Place, followed by the Enviro-Fest Fair on Sat. June 7 in Mountain Square, and closing with the 2nd Energy Film Festival and Whistler Environmental Business (WEB) Awards on Sunday June 8 at MY Place, Whistler’s environmental festival has grown into a three day celebration.

AWARE Accepting Applications for the 3rd Annual Whistler Environmental Business (WEB) Awards

In an effort to recognize local leaders in environmental stewardship and promote sustainable business practices, AWARE is recognizing local companies who have gone above and beyond business as usual.

Enviro-minded businesses operating in Whistler are invited to apply for the awards with winners being announced at the 2nd Energy Film Festival at Millennium Place on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

In order to qualify, businesses should have:

• undertaken voluntary initiatives in the workplace to reduce their environmental impact or improve the natural environment

• award recipients should have developed internal and/or community-oriented programs to conserve valuable natural resources or to protect the environment, thus demonstrating the mutual benefit of business and the environment.

Awards will be awarded to small, medium, and large-sized businesses.

The 2007 winners include: Winning Team Solutions, Ziptrek Ecotours, and Whistler Blackcomb.

Applications can be picked up from the Whistler Chamber of Commerce or downloaded here: 2008 WEB Award Application Form.

Completed applications are due Friday, May 30^th and can be emailed to aware@direct.ca or dropped off to Race & Company Law firm (3rd floor of Marketplace Professional Bldg. (#332-4270 Lorimer Rd).

For more info, please contact:

Marc Zurbuchen

AWARE Director

604-935-7963

AWARE’s next monthly meeting takes place on May 7, 2008 at 7 p.m. at the Westin Whistler Resort and Spa.

Guest Speaker: Ken Baker, Consulting Director, Environment Programs will present VANOC’s new Sustainability Update.

April 16, 2008
SEA-TO-SKY LRMP PLAN PROMOTES BALANCE & SUSTAINABILITY

VICTORIA – The Sea-to-Sky Land and Resource Management planning process is now complete, paving the way for full implementation, Agriculture and Lands Minister Pat Bell announced today.

“We have worked on a government-to-government basis with local First Nations over several years to make sure the 2004 Sea-to-Sky LRMP recommendations are in harmony with their vision for land stewardship,” said Bell. “This final version now resolves the longstanding land-use conflicts in the Elaho, Sims and Douglas Creek areas. It provides certainty and greater stability to the region, allowing for local economic development while ensuring long-term sustainability of ecological values.”

The Sea-to-Sky plan and agreements cover an area spanning the headwaters of the Lillooet River to its outflow into Harrison Lake, and from Lions Bay and Indian Arm to D’arcy. The area includes the communities of Pemberton, Squamish, and Whistler, and will play host to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. It covers approximately 1,091,000 hectares, and hosts a diverse array of cultural values, wildlife and wilderness features, and recreational opportunities.

The LRMP, now modified to reflect First Nations’ land-use agreements, provides management direction for a wide variety of these features and values, including:

• New conservancies in the Upper Elaho Valley, 100 Lakes Plateau, Upper Callaghan Valley, Upper Soo Valley, Upper Birkenhead Valley, Twin Two Creek and Upper Rogers Creek;
• Cultural places and cultural management areas, where resource management must maintain the cultural values and interests of First Nations;
• Wildland zones, where mineral development and tourism are permitted and maintaining cultural, recreational, and wilderness values is the focus;
• The front-country area, which follows the major transportation routes in the plan area and where visual quality and recreation values are key considerations; and
• Grizzly bear, mountain goat and marbled murrelet habitat, as well as riparian and floodplain ecosystems.

Four First Nations groups, the Lil’wat Nation, In-SHUCK-ch Nation, Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Squamish Nation, participated in government-to-government negotiations. In addition, a community-based planning forum, with sector representation by agriculture, environment, forestry, labour, recreation, tourism, energy, mineral resources and aggregates, provided input and direction, along with representatives from municipal governments and the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the First Nations and community and industry groups who contributed their time and energy to making this planning process a success,” said West Vancouver-Garibaldi MLA Joan McIntyre. “First Nations as well as area recreation, business and environmental groups now have a framework for collaborative and sustainable land management.”

People interested in becoming AWARE directors for 2008-09 are asked to complete the Application for Directorship. Applications are due by March 21st at 4 p.m. and should be emailed to aware@direct.ca.

A list of all nominated applicants and their bios will be posted on AWARE’s website prior to the AWARE’s AGM on Thurs. March 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the Westin Resort and Spa.

Special guest speaker will be Dr. William Rees, from UBC’s School of Community and Regional Planning who developed the concept of an “eco-footprint.”

Join AWARE for its March monthly meeting.

Where: Westin Resort and Spa (Emerald A & B Room)
Time: 6 to 8 p.m. Free. Everyone welcome!

Followed by the monthly Green Drinks socializer at
Black’s Pub from 8 to 10 p.m.
Free appetizers, special green drinks will be served.

A free reusable bag giveaway for each Whistler household, sponsored by the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation and Community Foundation of Whistler. Get yours while they last!

Green Drinks is a monthly gathering of anyone interested in “green” topics. The idea is that everyone invites a friend, so there’s always a different crowd, making Green Drinks an organic, self-organizing network. Chat, debate and socialize with other Whistlerites who are passionate about environmental and sustainability issues. For more info on Green Drinks, please contact Marie Fortin, Hilltrip at marie@hilltrip.com or visit www.hilltrip.com.

AWARE Kid’s Nature Club

Join Cara Richard and the AWARE Kids’ Nature Club for a fun-filled morning of nature games and discussions, for kids aged 6 to 10. Free event.

Next Meeting:
Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
North Shore Credit Union Room @
Meadow Park Sports Centre

This month’s topic:
“Energy Issues”

Join AWARE for its February monthly meeting.

Guest Speaker: Dan Wilson, RMOW
“Alternative Heating Sources for Whistler”
Where: Hilton Resort - Sutcliffe A Room (on lower level)
Time: 6 to 8 p.m. Free. Everyone welcome!

Followed by the monthly Green Drinks socializer at
Black’s Pub from 8 to 10 p.m.
Free appetizers, special green drinks will be served.

A free reusable bag giveaway for each Whistler household, sponsored by the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation and Community Foundation of Whistler. Get yours while they last!

Green Drinks is a monthly gathering of anyone interested in “green” topics. The idea is that everyone invites a friend, so there’s always a different crowd, making Green Drinks an organic, self-organizing network. Chat, debate and socialize with other Whistlerites who are passionate about environmental and sustainability issues. For more info on Green Drinks, please contact Marie Fortin, Hilltrip at marie@hilltrip.com or visit www.hilltrip.com.

Read this report in PDF format

AWARE Kid’s Nature Club

Join Cara Richard and the AWARE Kids’ Nature Club for a fun-filled morning of nature games and discussions, for kids aged 6 to 10.

Next Meeting:
Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
North Shore Credit Union Room @
Meadow Park Sports Centre

Guest Speakers:
“Winter Wild Animals”

Two Games will be played:

(1) The Web of Life Game

(2) The Predator/Prey Game

(One or both of these games may be played in the snow. Weather permitting) ….so dress warm.

Children will learn the ecology of local wild animals and how they survive in winter. Each child will be face painted as a wild animal to participate in the games! We’ll see who gets to be the Bobcat & who gets to be the Hare! Educational prizes will be donated by the “Wilderness Committee.”

All children must be accompanied by an adult (younger children are welcome with adult supervision).

* We will need help face painting the children to look like winter wild animals! If any parents or caregivers are interested in helping, just let us know when you arrive the day of the event.