News and Events

 

Events:

Youth Sustainability Conference

This past June, the Welland Conservation Committee held their first ever Youth Sustainability Conference. It was a full day of education, awareness and fun for Grade 7 and 8 students from 16 Welland elementary schools. Participants from the Public, Catholic and French Catholic boards were all in attendance bringing the number of students to roughly 70. The conference encompassed learning activities, guest speakers, presentations, discussion groups and competitions, all with the goal of teaching the leaders of tomorrow about the importance of environmental sustainability and how they can act locally. Technology was also incorporated into the teachings. Courtesy of Niagara College, each school was given a laptop to work off of for the day. Additionally, trivia questions were answered via text message.

Three seminar rotations were held in the morning, each run by a member of the Conservation Program. Agriculture and the importance of buying local foods, water and energy conservation were all discussed. These three seminars aimed to give students insight into various initiatives that are taking place all around the globe and to give them optimism towards what the future has in store. Jane Hanlon from Climate Action Niagara contributed to the day’s success as key note speaker. Climate Action Niagara has also donated a tree or shrub to each of the participating schools.

The day was organized and funded by the Welland Conservation Program. Additionally, student volunteers from Notre Dame, Centennial, Jean Vanier and the Mayor Youth Council were all there to lend a hand. Overall the day was a huge success and sparked an interest in students about what they can do for our future.

 

 

Niagara Region Media Releases:

The costs of summertime water use

NIAGARA REGION, July 9, 2007 - There is nothing like a cold glass of water, a jump in the pool, or a run through the sprinkler during the hot days of July and August. However, as summer marches on and temperatures are climbing, so is our demand for water. WaterSmart Niagara, a multi-stakeholder water conservation and protection strategy, suggests some water practices that everyone can do which will have benefits for our wallets and our environment.

According to Bob Steele, environmental co-ordinator at Niagara Region and a guiding member of WaterSmart Niagara, summertime water-consumption has many significant impacts. For instance, an increase in water consumption means greater stress on our water treatment systems. Over time, higher water demand among users can affect residents by resulting in increased water and wastewater bills as municipalities face costly upgrades to provide sufficient clean water and wastewater treatment.

Some people take our water supply for granted because we are surrounded by fresh water sources. Increased lawn and garden watering, car washing, filling swimming pools, and cooling systems all contribute to higher water use and impact the environment. WaterSmart Niagara recommends these tips:

• Wash your car at a car wash facility. Washing a car in the driveway can carry harmful oils and greases into our natural sources.
• Dry sweep decks and driveways instead of using a hose to help minimize water usage.

Using water wisely on your lawn and garden has even more benefits than just saving money. Over-watered lawns are more vulnerable to disease and pests as it weakens the root system of the grass.  A healthier, deeper root system results in a healthier lawn that requires less water, pesticides, fertilizers and effort. To ensure you are watering smarter:

• Use a rain gauge to measure the amount of water that your lawn is receiving. If the rain gauge is filling to an inch per week, you can keep the hose wrapped up.
• Use a watering can instead of a sprinkler to water the garden.
• Use native plants to help reduce water usage. Native plants have adapted to the rainfall patterns of the environment in which they grow; to the creatures that live around them; to the soil and to the climate.

Follow these tips in the short-term and you will save money and give our water treatment facilities a break. In the long-term, you’ll help protect and conserve our environment for future generations.

For more tips on water conservation and protection this summer, visit www.watersmartniagara.ca. For more water conservation tips and information on environmentally friendly lawn and garden practices, check out Niagara Region’s Smart Gardening website at www.smartgardening.ca.

WaterSmart Niagara is a multi-stakeholder strategy that works towards the common goals of protection, restoration and management of water resources across the Niagara watershed.  The strategy guides users on how to best manage activities that affect our ground and surface water resources.  It is intended to build on past successes, current initiatives, and future plans of stakeholders and area municipalities.

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Contact:

Susan Alexander
Information and Public Outreach Officer (WaterSmart Niagara)
905.685-4225 ext. 3743
susan.alexander@regional.niagara.on.ca

Sherri Tait
Program Manager (Smart Gardening)
Niagara Region Public Works Department
Waste Management Services
905.685.4225 ext. 3458
sherri.tait@regional.niagara.on.ca