Cornwall focuses on the environment with first Eco Day

Image of Nick Seebruch
By Nick Seebruch
Cornwall focuses on the environment with first Eco Day
Transition Cornwall+ volunteers planting the tiny forest at the Cornwall Public Library. Seaway News file photo.

CORNWALL, Ontario – The City of Cornwall will be holding an Eco Day on Saturday, Aug. 7 and will be highlighting local greenspaces, as well as offering residents tips on living sustainably.

There will be displays set up throughout the community from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day which will include City and Raisin Region Conservation Authority (RRCA) staff setup at the pop-up shops to give advice on how to live sustainable, as well as some seeds to take home.  The RRCA and the City of Cornwall are partners in organizing this event.

“Come discover how you can become a backyard conservationist,” said. Jessica Herrington, the RRCA’s Stewardship Specialist. “From nurturing native shrubs and wildflowers to practicing clever water conservation, there are many ways to become a responsible steward right at home.”

Four booths will be setup at the St. Lawrence River Institute on St. Lawrence College’s Cornwall campus to teach residents about different aspects of the river which is the lifeblood of this region.

Additionally, Transition Cornwall + will be giving guided tours of greenspaces throughout the city including the Tiny Forest outside the Cornwall Public Library, the Edible Garden behind the Lions Club Bandshell in Lamoureux Park, and the Arboretum in Lamoureux Park.

The Environmental and Climate Change Committee will be holding an event at the Cornwall Clocktower as well. This “map-mocracy” event will discuss important eco topics in our community.

“I am very excited that we will be raising environmental awareness in an all-ages event that follows along a portion of our award-winning bike paths,” said Angela Parker, the City of Cornwall’s Sustainable Projects Coordinator. “Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing us and many different issues affect it and are affected by it. Learning how to adapt to climate change, how to become more resilient to extreme weather, and how to mitigate greenhouse gases is so important.”

For those wanting to live more sustainably, the Local Fill, located on Pitt St. at Summit Fitness is a business that refills reusable containers with everything from spices, to soap, to epsom salt and more.

The event is free and everyone is welcome.

The City of Cornwall has consulted with the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) and will follow all public health guidelines to ensure the event is safe and fun for everyone. The City is asking residents to follow the provincial COVID-19 self-screening tool before attending the event.

”Council has made it clear in their Strategic Plan that focusing on sustainability and the environment is crucial for the positive long-term vision of Cornwall,” added Katherine Wells, Strategic Planning Coordinator for the City of Cornwall. “Eco Day is just one way that the City, partner organizations and volunteers are working together, taking the lead and educating on these important topics.”

For more information about this event, please visit the event Facebook page.

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