The fourth edition of the annual Earth Day Forum took place on April 18 at Chateauguay Valley Regional High School (CVR). The event drew in over 400 participants despite the intense competition of the summery weather calling people outdoors.
Around 40 local community groups, businesses, and individuals who work to help the environment in some way manned interactive kiosks in the gymnasium, while the cafeteria was transformed into a 3R Workshop where visitors could upcycle finds into new treasures, repair small household items, or mend clothing.
The event was organized in partnership with the CDC du Haut-Saint-Laurent, the Ambioterra conservation group, and members of the Table de Concertation pour l’Environnement dans le Haut-Saint-Laurent.
“The forum is a feel-good event,” said organizer Lorelei Muller. “Despite the fact that in some cases we are addressing some serious local issues, it has a very positive feeling,” she explained. “And it is bringing the community together.”
Over 30 individuals and businesses from seven different municipalities, including two non-profits and two local businesses, took advantage of the portable paper shredding service that was available on site, sponsored by the municipality of Ormstown. More than 40 pounds of used socks were collected to be recycled with Smartwool Canada, and participants brought in many markers and pens to be recycled as well.
“The volume and participation levels are growing each year as awareness grows,” said Muller. “It makes so much sense that we all do it all together. This is one way that we can all work together as a community, which is largely what this event is all about,” she added.
Visitors kept the 1st Huntingdon Girl Guides busy at the Genie in a Bottle recycling station before adding their touch to a giant recycled-bottle-cap mural of planet Earth. Children were introduced to different worms and insects with the Centre des Ressources Familiales du Haut-Saint-Laurent, and they learned about the art of making honey during a workshop with members of the CVR Greenhouse Club. Les Complices Alimentaires kept everyone fed with healthy snack and lunch options that demonstrated their dedication to reducing food waste.
Valley youth perform for the planet
Young people, including members of CVR’s After Hours Choir and the Valley Arts Camp, brought an especially inspiring and hopeful element to this year’s event. Around 50 children took part in a special performance for the planet, featuring a short play inspired in part by CVR teacher Peter Derry who passed away last year; there was also a selection of songs including Melissa Etheridge’s anthem I Need to Wake Up, which was featured in the 2006 documentary An Inconvenient Truth.
“It was bright and beautiful and touching,” said Muller of the production that closed out this year’s forum on a promising and optimistic note.