A Short Stop in Vancouver.B.C.

Ramona Madhosingh-Hector
Urban Sustainability Agent, Pinellas County Extension


I recently had the opportunity to visit Vancouver, British Columbia for an international conference on sustainability – the conference planners totally lucked out with this location! Vancouver is well known for its sustainability initiatives and it plans on becoming the greenest city in the world by 2020. Check here for Vancouver’s green city plan. In this blog, I’ll share my insights about Vancouver’s green efforts.

Although the conference was a short one, I couldn’t resist the opportunity for an early afternoon stroll through downtown Vancouver. The hotel was conveniently located in the city center and little did I know that it was connected to a modern shopping oasis called the Pacific Shopping Centre. Tempted as I was, I actually started my tour in Gastown.

I could easily tell that this was an historic neighborhood with its cobblestone streets and old Victorian buildings. The chic restaurants, trendy furniture stores, lofts and bars all with on street parking screamed urban renewal. The Gastown Steam Clock had a flock of tourists taking photos, including me! The clock replica is powered by a series of underground pipes which also heat downtown buildings. At night, Gastown gleamed with LED light strings and bustled with people.

Elsewhere in Vancouver, old and new buildings were creatively used. Lofts, offices and gyms were seamlessly woven into the downtown fabric. From my vantage point at the hotel, I could easily locate green spaces which weren’t restricted to street level view. In fact, many of the skyscrapers had green spaces and the parking garage at Vancouver International had a green wall installation. Trendy apartments along the waterfront had great vistas but were also well connected via the transit system.

The mixed uses in both the historic neighborhood and the traditional downtown provide many opportunities for residents to develop a sense of place and community where they live. The ability to work and play close to where you live is definitely sustainable. You save money on your commute, develop deeper relations with your neighbors, and contribute to economic stability within your community.

In the next blog, I’ll talk about Vancouver’s transit system.

Resources:
EPA Livability Principles
American Planning Association
Land Use fact sheet
Land Use: Subdivision Design fact sheet

Seminole Residents Come Together for Sustainability

A group of citizens in the City of Seminole have formed a DISCUSSION GROUP ON RECYCLING AND SUSTAINABILITY. Meetings are held once a month at the Seminole Community Library, 9200 113th St. N., Seminole, Florida 33772.

FEBRUARY 1, from 10:00 am to noon, Program Room A, the DISCUSSION GROUP will welcome Barbara Arthur, volunteer of Morningstar Fishermen, who will show the video, "Aquaponics". The topic will educate citizens on the breeding and growing of tilapia and culture of plants and vegetables, using the fascinating method of aquaponics. Following the presentation, there will be open discussions.

MARCH 1, from 10:00 am to noon, Program Room A, the DISCUSSION GROUP will share research and experiences related to recycling, composting, rain barrels, and other local sustainable practices. The DISCUSSION GROUP is developing its mission statement and future project ideas.

APRIL 17, from 10:00 am to noon, Program Room C, the DISCUSSION GROUP will feature one of its members, Cristy Abbott, who will show the video, "Fresh". This video is a documentary that celebrates farmers, thinkers, and business people across the U.S. who are re-inventing our food system. Following the presentation, there will be open discussions.

For more information, contact group organizer, Mary DeGeorge-Hampton, (631) 838-2272.

Holidays Are For the Family

Vestina Crayton, Pinellas County Extension Specialist, Urban Sustainability

The Best Gift for the Holidays

Every year many of us think long and hard about what would be the perfect gift to give a loved one. Many of us are very fortunate to have family and friends to celebrate the holiday season. But there are many who do not. As a family, consider giving the gift of kindness. Schedule a family meeting and brainstorm ways that you can share and care for someone in your community.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Make gift baskets for the elderly and/or shut-ins.
• Visit the hospitals.
• Volunteer at a soup kitchen.
• Make homemade cards together.
• Team up with other families and do all of the above.

Showing kindness is a priceless gift that keeps on giving. By working together and showing concern for others, you strengthen your own family's relationships.