Good morning!

Langford is about to get a bit cleaner, as the Greater Victoria Green Team plans its first event in the area. Hoping to encourage the community in supporting a better ecosystem, the Green Team is a hard working group of volunteers with a passion for a better planet.

— Emma

NEWS

Best way to zero carbon?

Just over a month has passed since View Royal announced its decision to implement the Zero Carbon Step Code, and there have been questions in the community as to the best way into a cleaner future. Started through a partnership with the View Royal Climate Coalition (VRCC), View Royal is just one of the communities to join on to the step code, with Saanich and Victoria as leaders.

The Zero Carbon Step Code (ZCSC) is a voluntary plan introduced by the province to reduce building emissions in new buildings. Starting Nov. 1, new Part 9 buildings, which include houses and some small buildings under a certain height and width, will be zero-carbon; this means space heating, water, heating, and cooking will become electric.

While View Royal’s focus to create a cleaner future is clear, some in the community have questioned whether electricity is the only way towards reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Fortis BC is focused on finding alternative energy forms, and says it has a different route: renewable gas.

When organic waste decomposes, it naturally releases biogas, a GHG containing carbon dioxide, methane, and other gases caused by decomposing matter released into the atmosphere; before this biogas can escape as GHGs, Fortis’ suppliers capture and separate the gases from the methane to purify it.

“I think for View Royal and many other communities, it's really understanding what’s available out there,” says Jason Wolfe from Fortis. “Our goal is to lower emissions to decarbonize, but right now the only option is electricity and there are challenges with that, so you really do need more than one option.”

When looking at both options, many might be confused as to which service is better, but the answer isn’t that simple.

Read our full story to get the details on both options and what this means for the future of sustainable energy.

NEWS

Greater Victoria Green Team coming to Langford

The Greater Victoria Green Team has been working hard to improve active parks and natural areas for years, and is now preparing for its first Langford restoration activity in partnership with the City of Langford. As an organization striving for the betterment of the community, the Green Team is excited to start work in the city.

“We already have long-standing partnerships with the City of Colwood and the Town of View Royal,” says Severine Tyszewicz, the program coordinator for the Greater Victoria Team. “Now we're running our first activity with the city of Langford for this Sunday and we're so excited to bring our activities and our unique experiences.”

The Green Team is a program of the charity Green Teams of Canada. It works with mostly municipalities, but also land trust organizations and environmental organizations to find areas in need of environmental work, and tend to them. This ranges from removal of invasive species to planting of native ones; depending on what certain areas need, the Green Team will respond to them differently.

“We get volunteers from all over; some are experienced and some are brand new,” says Tyszewicz. “Not only are they able to connect to nature, which increases health, well-being, and environmental stewardship, but it also instills a bit of environmental ethics; people are also able to build life skills like critical thinking, leadership, and teamwork.”

From 9:45am to 1pm on Sept. 24, locals are encouraged to volunteer in the removal of invasive English ivy from Porcher Park to help increase biodiversity and make the area more resilient. With snacks, drinks, and tools provided, volunteers come in and help parks departments clean up invasive species, which relieves some of the pressure on parks staff while allowing the community to bond and engage with their environment and the people around it.

“A lot of people at the events have never picked up a shovel or put on gloves before—generally everyone feels a lot more empowered by doing something that's really inspiring and rewarding,” says Tyszewicz. “It’s really a great way to just meet new people and make new friends in the community while raising environmental awareness as a whole.”

Earlier this month, the team planted 227 shrubs in the Saanich Woods for TD Tree Days. With two upcoming plantings in both Esquimalt Gorge Park and View Royal Park in the coming months, the Greater Victoria Green team has plenty of local events for volunteers to get their green thumb on.

“We're so excited to bring a ton of people to the community; we have over 40 people currently signed up for our activity in Langford and we're hoping to keep bumping that up,” says Tyszewicz. “We really want to bring all of our activities to the entire Westshore.”

Around the 'Shore

🧡 West Shore RCMP celebrates Truth and Reconciliation: As Sept. 30 marks National Truth and Reconciliation Day and Orange Shirt Day, the West Shore RCMP Indigenous and Community Policing Unit hosted staff from Belmont Secondary School as part of a professional development day this week. The unit has engaged in other community events like this, and emphasizes the importance of reconciliation and participation.

🐻 Royal Roads University warns walkers to stay alert for animal sightings: After spotting both a cougar and bear on the property, Royal Roads is warning people to stay alert and attentive when crossing the campus. Staff recommend students learn how to manage a bear or cougar encounter, and also encourage dog owners to keep their pups on leash. [CHEK]

💰 Renovated London Drugs opens in Colwood Corners: The shop opens Friday, Sept. 22, and the first 50 customers in line will receive a gift card valued at $10-$250. Store opens at 8am. Official ribbon cutting ceremony at 9am. 1907 Sooke Rd.

🎫 Helping United Way Southern Vancouver Island's fundraising goal can be both easy and fun. How? It's simple: buy a ticket to the Community Campaign Raffle.*

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY DANCE VICTORIA

Early bird Nutcracker tickets; Ukrainian Shumka Dancers and Victoria Symphony

The Westshore readers save up to 20% off regular priced adult tickets to Ukrainian Shumka Dancers’ Nutcracker. Promo code: Nut-Westshore.

Dec. 1-3, 2023. Tickets at Royal and McPherson Theatres or call the box office at 250-386-6121.

Community Events

🗺️ Sooke Volunteer Tour: On Sept. 23, get the chance to connect with local charities, organizations, and volunteer opportunities with the Sooke Volunteer Tour. Starting at 10am at the Sooke Legion, an online map of the tour stops will guide locals to check out the multitude of organizations to join. The tour goes until 2pm.

🍏 Applefest: Are you a fan of a fresh fall harvest? Look no further, as Applefest celebrates Sooke’s agricultural harvest and fresh apples at the Sunriver Community Orchard on Sept. 24. From 10am to 3pm, you can shop delicious apples, participate in an apple pie auction, and even identify apples from your own backyard with the help of the apple experts at the event.

👕 Victoria Kids Consignment Fall Sale: As a pop-up seasonal consignment sale, families will want to check out the Victoria Kids Consignment Fall Sale from Sept. 22 to 24. Held at the Eagle Ridge Arena in Langford with a variety of different time slots, you’re encouraged to get tickets to the event beforehand.

What’s Offshore?

🚢 The HL Harmony is a bulk carrier built in 2015 and is sailing under the flag of Panama. It is sailing from Gwangyang, Korea 🇰🇷 to an unknown port, and was scheduled to arrive Sept. 18.

⛴ The Jal Kamadhenu is a bulk carrier built in 2020 and is sailing under the flag of Panama. It is sailing from Onahama, Japan 🇯🇵 ➡ Vancouver 🇨🇦 and was scheduled to arrive Sept. 11.

Westshore Snaps

Bird in the nest at Royal Colwood Golf Course in July. —Glenys Pumfrey, Colwood

That’s it!

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