In every issue we will bring you a different story about Canadians making a difference in their environment. Many successful projects and initiatives are the result of individuals, groups, businesses and often entire communities taking action. Perhaps their activities and approaches will inspire you too!

Down the Drain

The Comox Valley Project Watershed Society recognizes the importance of protecting water quality in designing its project Down the Drain: Stewardship Actions on Pollution and Toxics. With help from local businesses, volunteers, local and regional organizations, the province of B.C. and funding from Environment Canada’s EcoAction Community Funding Program, the Society has reached its project goals.

Along Baynes Sound, from Deep Bay to Comox/Courtenay, volunteers talked with representatives of some 115 businesses, including shellfish farmers, operators of inns and resorts, owners of retail outlets and an automobile recycler. They discussed the importance of proper disposal of toxic substances, septic remediation and farm waste management. More...

Green rain barrel pilot program

Rain barrels help homeowners get their feet wet for the dive into full home water-conservation retrofits.

Delta’s municipal water system, like that of all the cities in the Lower Fraser Valley, depends on mountain-fed reservoirs. This means that in years with low precipitation, there’s less water available. It’s a potential water scarcity problem that is compounded by the municipality’s growing population. More...

Related Links

More EcoAction success stories...

Control water pollution with your own rain garden - June 2002 - ENN.com

Jeter l'eau par les fenêtres - July 2002 Cybersciences.com (French only)

Reduce your impact on the planet. Check out the following links for hints and ideas on becoming more environmentally friendly.

What You Can Do : Small Changes Make Big Differences
You can make a difference for the environment! Whether you are an individual or already part of a community environmental group, this site is for you. Connect with environmental organizations across the country, find tools, resources, links and information that you can use in your day-to-day life, and in helping with your community environmental group efforts.

Canadian Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse
Environment Canada's online database and comprehensive resource providing Canadians with the information they need to put pollution prevention (P2) into practice. Search the database to access over 1500 different P2 resources organized by sector, activity, substance, audience, and P2 type.

Aptitudes is an on-line training program mainly geared to people working in non-governmental organizations involved in environmental endeavours. The program enables these people to interact with governments and to increase their involvement in the development of government policies, programs and services in environmental matters.

CanadianEnvironmental.com is a free comprehensive resource for environmental professionals and others involved in the management of environmental issues related to industry. The site is a gateway to hundreds of major on-line sources of environmental information and provides easy access to environmental news, information and legislation, products and services, job listings, calendar of events, discussion forum, a free monthly newsletter and more.

Eartheasy
Is about helping us reduce our impact on the environment and bring more harmony and quality to our lives. Simple, inexpensive ideas and practical solutions address a wide range of lifestyle choices we all face each day.

Environmental Choice Program^M
Canada's ecolabelling program helps Canadians identify products that are safer for the environment. Once a product or service has been certified, it can carry the EcoLogo^M – three stylized doves in the shape of a maple leaf.

Tools of Change
Offers specific tools, case studies, and a planning guide to help you take action and adopt habits that promote health and more environmentally-friendly choices.