Current Campaigns

Kootenay Grain CSA

The Grain CSA is an innovative approach to developing and sustaining local food security in the Kootenays. In order to grow grain locally we proposed a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model, in which farmers are guaranteed a fair wage for their work through the sale of shares in their crops. Consumers are provided an opportunity to visit the farm where their food is grown and an essential relationship is established between farmer and buyer. The Kootenay Grain CSA is the first of its kind in the country.
Read the latest news release, Kootenay Grain 2009 Harvest Begins.
See archived releases.

Glacier-Howser Campaign

AXOR, under subsidiary Purcell Green Power, has proposed the controversial 100 MW Glacier/Howser private hydro project for an area located in the Duncan Valley and the heart of the Purcells. It is the largest run-of-river project proposed in the Kootenays and has generated considerable public concern due to its potential negative ecological impacts on threatened bull trout, grizzy bear, and caribou species.
Read the latest news release, Glacier/Howser Project, Floundering Over Fish.
See archived releases.

Climate Change

Climate change is a critical issue of our time, impacting the lives of every living creature on the planet. The time to work towards adaptation and mitigation is now, and the West Kootenay EcoSociety is proud to be working with citizens, businesses, and government in the Kootenays to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Following are some of the initiatives related to our climate change campaign.
Read the latest news release, 2009 Commuter Challenge May 31 to June 6, 2009.
See archived releases.

Kootenay Grain CSA:

Kootenay Grain 2009 Harvest Begins

Crops are coming off the fields and early indications are that it’s going to be a very successful harvest. CSA farmers Roy and Sherry Lawrence have combined their lentil and winter wheat crops; their spelt lies drying in the field.

After a dry spring, the summer rains came at just the right time, providing the crops with the moisture injection they required for a large yield.

Now, some of the most challenging work for the farmers begins. The spelt and oats have to be separated from their hulls, something that proved especially difficult with the so- called “hull-less” oats last year. The farmers will attempt to allow these grains to dry in the field for as long as they can before running them through the combine and de-huller. Then the grain and lentils need to be cleaned and possibly weighed before bagging.

At this point, the only crop that appears to have come up short is the spelt. However, because the farmers planted extra acreage of all crops there will certainly be excesses of other crops to make up for any shortfall of one crop.

There are still some shares left to purchase, especially a large number of lentil shares. Visit www.kootenaygraincsa.ca to buy your shares today.


See archived releases.

Glacier-Howser Campaign:

Glacier/Howser Project, Floundering Over Fish

The proposed Glacier/Howser private power project has hit a major environmental snag and is again floundering over fish. Recently, the provincial Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) stopped the clock on the review of the controversial private power project due to impact on fish and fish habitat noting these posed a “significant challenge”.

The EAO suspended the environmental review of the 100MW Glacier/Howser project half way into the 180day assessment process. They are requiring AXOR, the project’s proponent, to gather additional information on fish and fish habitat impacts before they complete the process. The review would be resumed if and when AXOR provides this information. The timeline for the suspension has not been confirmed.

The suspension is a significant step for the EAO. It certainly shows that AXOR hasn’t done their homework and that the Glacier/Howser project poses such serious risks to the environment that the government had to stop the clock. It is definitely a step in the right direction.

However, the EAO cannot reject the project, regardless of its environmental impact. This clearly illustrates problems with assessment the process. Environmental assessments are designed to assess project components, work with proponents to mitigate project impacts and to make recommendations to the Minister of Environment and Minister of Energy, Mines & Petroleum Resources. The Ministers make the final decision. This is troublesome and can result in politics taking precedent over responsible environmental decision-making.

Although the EcoSociety feels Glacier/Howser project should be rejected out of hand because of the tremendous negative impact it would have on important bull trout populations, a number of threatened and endangered species including grizzly bears, and the massive public opposition to it, the recent EAO suspension is a step in the right direction.

The people of the Kootenays have shone an extraordinary and much needed spotlight on the Glacier/Howser project and its potential environmental impacts. The thousands of people who have attended rallies, the EAO meetings, wrote letters and spread the word, are making an incredible and important difference. Although our work isn’t done yet, we are one step closer.


See archived releases.

Climate Change:

2009 Commuter Challenge May 31 to June 6, 2009
Register Now!

The 2009 National Commuter Challenge Week is approaching once again, giving Nelson a crack at Canada’s top place in this event.

The Commuter Challenge is a national program that encourages Canadians to walk, cycle, ride-share/carpool, tele-work or take transit instead of driving alone to work. The program is based on a friendly competition between workplaces and communities across Canada to see which has the highest percentage participation rates during the week. By recording participation online, Canadians are able to see how their healthier commutes affect greenhouse gas reductions by tracking kilometers traveled. The Challenge, which takes place May 31st – June 6th 2009, encourages us to leave our cars at home for our personal health, the health of our community and the health of our environment.

John Alton and Autumn Grieve with the West Kootenay EcoSociety are coordinating the Commuter Challenge in Nelson. They are inviting workplaces to participate and challenge one another for the right to be the greenest commuting organization in the region. Last year Nelson came second throughout all of Canada for our size category – this year we’re aiming for first place

To get involved each workplace requires a Point Person who will recruit participation within the organization. The Point Person registers their workplace online at www.commuterchallenge.ca and posts results gathered from each participating employee during the Commuter Challenge week. Registrations and results will be accepted May 31through June 6, 2009. Individuals without a workplace who are commuting can also sign up through the commuter challenge website.

The Eco-Society will also be awarding prizes for the top walker, top biker, and for the hardest working Point People, as well as a random draw for all the volunteer Point People! Questions? contact John or Autumn at the Eco-Society at info@ecosociety.ca or 354-1909 .


See archived releases.