By Joanne Rodgers, Bruce Peninsula Press
The Family Fun Fest, organized by the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association with support from the Bruce Peninsula Environment Group (BPEG) and Environment and Climate Change Canada, invited families to participate in fun-filled events with interactive games and activities built around climate action themes.
The aim of the festival was to encourage all ages to make positive eco-friendly lifestyle changes. Despite the inclement weather, the two-day event was attended by over 70 community members at each of the two locations. On March 12, the event was held in Lion’s Head at the Rotary Hall and on March 13 at the Tobermory Community Centre.
At the event there were five activity booths with interactive educational games, a Climate Action booth, raffle ticket sales, a candy guessing game, free lunches, and more. Upon arrival, attendees were given a Climate Passport that was stamped at each booth once the activities were completed. After collecting all five stamps from the activity booths, children received a prize bag.
Electrify Everything
The first booth was based on the theme “Electrify Everything” which highlighted the importance of electric energy as a clean energy source and provided information on what can be done to facilitate this transition.
On dry erase boards with outlines of a car and a house, participants were asked to draw how they would make their houses and cars more environmentally friendly, which included where they would install their EV charger, heat pump, or plant trees for shade.
Rod Layman, Chair of BPEG and Member of Municipality of Northern Bruce (MNBP) Climate Action Committee, says the soaring gasoline prices have definitely pushed the conversation forward on electric vehicles. Additionally, many visitors to the booth were surprised to learn that a heat pump is a viable solution as an alternative house heating source even in the Northern Bruce winters.
Cut-out Consumption
The “Cut-out Consumption’’ booth focused on the importance of reducing consumption by encouraging people to make choices that reduce their carbon footprint. Participants had the opportunity to try on snowshoes with carabineers attached to different items such as a gas tank, toy cars, single-use plastics, and a toy freighter ship and a toy airplane. This activity showed how carbon footprints can be very heavy. To complete the activity, children were then asked to reduce the weight of the “footprint” by suggesting ways to remove certain items. For example, shopping locally removes the weight of the freighter ship.
Wipe-out Waste
The “Wipe-out Waste” booth emphasized the importance of reducing waste and single use items. Participants were invited to sort various waste items and place them into their appropriate containers for garbage, recycling and compost. This activity also provided information about what is recyclable in Grey-Bruce Counties.
Nurture Nature
The “Nurture Nature” booth highlighted the importance of maintaining the health of local ecosystems and encouraged people to discuss what they love about the environment. Participants drew questions from a jar and were able to draw, write, and have discussions about nature.
Protect the Peninsula
At the “Protect the Peninsula” booth, participants were asked to brainstorm and commit to a Climate Change action. The children and adults wrote down their “pledge” and posted it on a bulletin board. Many of the children said they would ride their bikes more often, plant vegetable gardens and trees, create flower gardens for bees and butterflies, recycle more and pick up garbage. The adults pledged to cut down on plastic waste and buy less consumables.
Climate Change Action
The “Climate Change Action Booth” introduced the Northern Bruce Peninsula’s first ever Climate Action Plan. The plan is a joint effort between the Municipality’s volunteer-led Climate Action Committee and various community groups. The Plan lays out a strategy to respond to climate change and identify ways to deal with its impact on the Peninsula.
Each booth also provided personnel to answer questions and offered informational leaflets. Attendees say the event was very well organized, engaging and educational. They were happy to be able to talk to people who had real experiences with electric cars, heat pumps and other alternative heating and to learn about concerns and opportunities here on the Bruce as it related to Climate Change action. Cary Churchill of Tobermory said that she “enjoyed speaking to like-minded locals who were interested in making positive environmental changes to preserve the beauty of the Peninsula”.
Attendees enjoyed a free lunch provided by the event organizers and catered by Bear Tracks Restaurant at the Lion’s Head event and by the Princess Hotel for the Tobermory event.
Elizabeth Thorn, Chair of the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association, was pleased with the turnout despite the challenging weather. Moira Parker and Krista Dovaston took the lead in organizing this event, a first time experience for both of them organizing such an elaborate event. Pat Sein, Northern Bruce resident and Biosphere Board member, also deserves recognition as a leader in helping to organize the event. They were joined by 30 volunteers to support this event from manning the booths, serving food, clean-up and providing subject-matter expertise. The Biosphere Association expressed their appreciation for the help of the dedicated volunteers.
The Biosphere Association was also selling raffle tickets at a cost of $10 per ticket, proceeds go toward supporting the Biosphere’s activities. There are four prizes to be won including a Siana Aurora Folding E-bike, a painting by local artist Suzanne Dyke, an e-reader, and an Eco Adventures gift card. Raffle tickets can be purchased at various local participating stores, or by contacting Pat Sein at 705-507-4973.
The Biosphere Association is pleased to announce the winner of the Candy jar guessing game was Reid West with the winning guess of 951.
If you are interested in learning more about Climate Action, visit the Biosphere Association’s Climate Action Hub at: https://bpba.ca/projects/climate-action or email Will Meneray at wmeneray@ourcanvas.ca
Interested in commenting on the Climate Action Plan? Please go to Draft Climate Action Plan for Community Feedback.
