Sustainability is ours to share.
At the Cochrane Environmental Action Committee annual general meeting, scheduled for Feb. 12 at 7 p.m., those in attendance will have a chance to hear from Paul Cabaj of Spark Energy.
Spark Energy is an energy cooperative whereby you can buy energy, invest in the future of green energy alternatives, and receive dividends for the money you spend on energy as everyday expenses.
He will answer questions and tell us how easy it is for us to become members of the co-op and start saving money and creating genuine wealth.
Also at the meeting, members and visitors alike will be treated to the first public presentation of the film the wetland subcommittee have made to tell the story of reclaiming Robinson wetland for this and future generations. The film includes the music of Emily West and Lucas Chaisson, and interviews with many local citizens who presented their stories for the film.
Through pictures, storyline, video and interviews we tell the story of how the Robinson wetland has been retained in this community as an important landscape feature that builds community. It is a story of resilience and community sustainability.
Partners involved in the subcommittee’s work to date include Cochrane Toyota, the owner of the land where the wetland is situated, Cochrane High School, Town of Cochrane, Canada World Youth, CEAC and Branches and Banks.
The partnership has helped everyone learn more about wetlands and why they are important to retain even in highway commercial developments. A recent newspaper article showed Cochrane Toyota manager Alex Baum hip deep in the wetland removing the old barb wire fence and fence posts with help from his staff. A pile of debris was removed that many people thought was a beaver lodge.
The debris had been piled in the wetland during road construction when River Heights Drive was opened to allow access to the Bow Valley High School back in 1999.
This December, Alex invited the public to skate and play hockey on the wetland.
Stephanie Bennett and Joan Williams-Mann led their Cochrane High School sustainability committee in two major tree plants and clean-ups of the wetland riparian areas. The students learned about wetlands and replaced indigenous species that were being inundated with rising waters.
Canada World Youth participants attended two separate weed pulls to remove invasives like thistle, yellow sow thistle, and other less common but problematic species. The Town of Cochrane has supported the work throughout.
CEAC and Branches and Banks people, like Suzanne Lorinczi, Elaine Cathcart, Joe Turnham, Dave Beattie, Sue Hall and Sharon McDonald and her wonderful family oversaw the educational activities, coordinated events and contributed many hours to ensure the wetland stays as healthy as possible while promoting the spread of indigenous plants in the riparian area that was impacted during development.
The project work is far from over and tree plants will continue on an annual basis with the permission and support of Cochrane Toyota. Hope to see you on Feb. 12th as you view your community in action and partnership.
