Posted by Elsabé Falkson
Little Forest planting
A Review of Environmental Sustainability in 2021-2024; and introducing the District's new Environmental chair Jenn Grisi.
 

Big Wins! Environmental Sustainability in D7040 in 2021-2024

Enviroclubs are "IN"

In its third year, and D7040 already has a quarter of clubs participating with two high level Gold achieving Clubs: Gananoque and Orleans!  Yapping at their heels are 6 silver achievers, and with the bronze clubs we now have 14 Enviroclubs in D7040. The Gananoque Club has an ambitious plan to revitalize the waterfront and ensure stabilization of the beach. All clubs in the district are challenged to document environmental projects and  achievements to receive the Enviroclub designation. Don't keep it a secret! After 3 years as chair I am stepping down as chair but I will still be running this program. Other clubs, the 7040 Environment committee and ESRAG needs to know what you are doing. Report on iRotree

Biodiversity in the Spotlight

Can’t See the Forest for the Trees? What a delight it was to see the Rotary Club of Orleans and their Youth Forest featured in the May edition of Rotary Magazine! (If you missed it, read the article “Climate Therapy”). Planting trees is great, but now, we also need to save mature trees and plant forests! In Kingston, several clubs partner with “Little Forests” and have helped to plant 4 of the 8 little forests that have sprung up in Kingston in the last 2 years . A little forest can be planted in an area as small as 6 parking lots.
 
We heard from Douglas Tallamy about The Little Things that Runs the World. Gardens have new meaning: Habitat. Rotarians are actively supporting the emerging native bees, bumblebees and other pollinators in Spring by keeping lawns a little longer and leaving the leaves in Fall. I have personally eliminated almost of the lawn and started (through winter sowing) hundreds of native plants, most of them are now planted and I can't wait to see them in bloom. I already noticed many more fireflies in June! Rotarians in D7040 are aware of bird migration dates and we dim the lights when birds migrate.
 
Cornwall’s unique ongoing Adventures in the Environment program deserves special accolades! Working with youth in the Environment gives excellent ROI.

International Opportunities for Service

The Kingston Club participates in the “Life and the Environment Reconciliation” project - a Global Grant that helps to expand the flora and fauna protection zone in a National Park in Colombia which created a privileged habitat for the reproduction and conservation of native bee and pollinator species. There are grants available for international projects in the environment, make use of this opportunity.

Landfill, Pollution and GHG (Green House Gas) under attack!

Big wins often come with dedicated leadership and networking. Food loss and waste releases methane, a gas 80 times more damaging in terms of atmospheric warming gasses than carbon dioxide. Michele and team in Montreal diverted 465 tons of usable food from the landfill and also served 15,000 families per month.
 
Most D7040 Clubs participated in cleanups like the Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup whilst honoring Earth day. In diverting fixable appliances from landfill, Ottawa leads in the District by service at the Repair Cafe.
 
Our District Conference in Clayton was a delight with the hosts putting in extra effort to ensure that we did not use single use plastic items! All we had to do was ask! "The Environment-Health Nexus" talk by Global Grant Scholar Caitlin Grady emphasized the importance of inclusive and holistic approaches in addressing environmental challenges on a global scale.
 
I thank Rotarians in the district for support and enthusiasm, and embracing our 7th area of focus.
 
Elsabé Falkson
 

Message from the New Environment Committee Chair

I have taken over the reins of chair of District 7040’s Environment Committee from Elsabé Falkson as of July 1st. Based on all that the committee has accomplished over the last three years including inspiring members and clubs to incorporate the environment into all aspects of their activities, my top priorities will be: supporting the initiatives in place, adjusting when the science adjusts and staying out of the way of good ideas! We will be meeting quarterly and mixing it up with in-person meets when we can incorporate a wider district event already on the calendar. Our plan is to inspire and learn from one another, to focus on the short list of what we can change and feel hopeful that as people of action, we are making a difference and that…. is the magic of Rotary.
 
Jenn Grisi