2009-2010 Healthy Living for a Healthy Planet Workshop Series
We offer monthly workshops on sustainable living and outings to explore the natural environment. Workshops and outings are facilitated by our community partners and volunteers.
Upcoming Workshops and Outings:
Growing Food in Containers
You can grow your own food even if you don't have a yard! Come learn about growing food in small containers that are great for balconies or patios. You'll even get to bring a bucket home to grow your own salad!
Saturday, Saturday, March 6th, 2010
1:00 - 4:00 pm
Where: Blanshard Community Centre (901 Kings Rd)
Facilitated by Jennifer Freeman, the Blanshard Community Centre Food Security Coordinator
This workshop is free, but space is limited to 12 participants so registration is required. For more information, or to volunteer/register please email megan.thom@vircs.bc.ca
Francis King Forest Tea Party
Come for a short walk in Francis King park with a CRD naturalist, learn about which local plants make teas, and then enjoy drinking delicious west coast teas! The CRD offers great free outdoor activities most days of the week. Check out their website for more details: http://www.crd.bc.ca/parks/events/calendar.aspx
Saturday, March 13th, 2010
12:00 - 4:00 pm
Where: Francis King Park (trasnsportation by carpool)
Meet at VIRCS at 12:15 pm, back around 3:30 pm
This workshop is free, but space is limited to 9 participants so registration is required. We also need people to volunteer to drive other participants to the park. For more information or to register please email megan.thom@vircs.bc.ca
Past Workshops:
Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary
Come explore local plants and animals at the Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary! We will have a guided nature walk of this beautiful lake and get to meet the animals in the nature house, including turtles, snakes, bees and more. You can learn more about Swan Lake by visiting www.swanlake.bc.ca.
Saturday, February 27th, 2010
12:00 - 2:00 pm
Where: Please meet at the entrance of VIRCS (3rd Floor, 637 Bay St) at 11:15 am.
Please bring good walking shoes, raincoat and a snack. We are travelling as a group so please be on time.
Create a healthy, toxin-free home for you and your family. Learn about different toxins found in everyday products and how you can make smart choices by buying alternative products.
This workshop includes creating your own all-natural cleaning spray!
January 28, 2009
1:30 - 3:00 pm
Where: VIRCS ESL Classroom (3rd Floor, 637 Bay St)
For more information or to register please call 250.361.9433 ext. 217 or email gagan@vircs.bc.ca
ECO Settlement 101: Save Money, Be Healthy and Protect the Planet
Fun, interactive workshop on how to save money, keep your family healthy and protect the environment.
Learn the basics on recycling, reducing home energy costs, buying local food and choosing non-toxic cleaning products.
January 14, 2009
1:00 - 2:30 pm
Where: VIRCS HR Solutions (207-2504 Government St)
For more information or to register please call 250.361.9433 ext. 217 or email gagan@vircs.bc.ca
Trailer Trashed Short Film Project: Orientation Session
Orientation session for participants of the short film project. Co-facilitated by MediaNet.
January 9, 2009
Time and Location TBA
For more information or to register please call 250.361.9433 ext. 217 or email rosalyn@vircs.bc.ca
Eco Jobs and Training Info Session
Learn about jobs and training opportunities in the environmental sector
Meet speakers from the CRD, VIATec & Royal Roads University.
Refreshments will be served
October 27, 2009
5:15 - 7:15 pm
Where: VIRCS HR Solutions (207-2504 Government St)
List of Speakers
Tony Melli, Chair, VIATec Sustainability Roundtable
Tony will give us an overview of hiring practices and opportunities with 4-5 technology and consulting companies that are part of VIATec’s Sustainability Roundtable (www.viatec.ca)
Angela Mayenburg, Human Resources Assistant, Capital Region District
Angela will share information about the hiring process and work and volunteer opportunities within the Capital Regional District
(www.crd.bc.ca)
Michael Moss, Director, Canadian Centre for Environmental Education, Royal Roads University
Michael will give us some information about Royal Roads University’s Certificate Program in Environmental Practice - CEP (www.ccee.ca)
Brought to you in partnership with the Employment Transitions and Coaching Program and the Skills Connect Program.
For more information or to register please call 250.361.9433 ext. 222 or email sarah@vircs.bc.ca
FutureFest Victoria - 350.org International Day of Climate Action
Join us to raise awareness and take action on climate change
Enjoy food and fun activities for adults and children
Meet VIRCS staff and volunteers at Centennial Square at 12pm
October 24, 2009
12:00 - 4:00 pm
Where: Victoria City Hall (1 Centennial Square)
For more information or to register please call 250.361.9433 ext. 216 or email rosalyn@vircs.bc.ca
Haliburton Organic Farm Tour - FULL
Why do we eat organic food? Where does it come from? Why is it important to eat local food? Are farms in Canada different? Visit this beautiful local farm and meet the farmers!
You can read about the farm by visiting www.haliburtonfarm.org.
Thursday, July 16th, 2009
1:15pm - 4:00pm
Where: Please meet at VIRCS (3rd Floor, 637 Bay St) at 1:15 pm.
We are travelling as a group so please be on time.
This tour is free, but registration is required. For more information or to register please call 250.361.9433 ext. 217 or email environment@vircs.bc.ca
Galiano Island Adventure - FULL
Have you ever been to one of the Gulf Islands? A professional naturalist will take us on a tour of an old growth forest as well as explore the low-tide zone. According to our guide, "We have a beautiful area here called the Pebble Beach Reserve. We will visit the Great Beaver Swamp, then walk down the Pebble Beach Trail (in the middle of a healthy mature forest with magnificent trees all around) and end up at pebble beach. We could then wander along the shoreline and back up Cable Beach Trail for a complete loop. It would be stunning... " We will bring food and eat lunch on the beach, go on a 3-hour beautiful and educational tour with a guide and then have a few hours to explore the island on our own!
Tuesday July 21st, 2009
9:00am - 7:30pm
Where: Please meet at VIRCS (3rd Floor, 637 Bay St) at 9:00 am.
We are travelling as a group so please be on time.
Cost: $8 per person (includes buses, ferries, and tour)
Registration is required for this outing. For more information or to register please call 250.361.9433 ext. 217 or email environment@vircs.bc.ca
Gardening for Newcomers to Victoria: A Free Hands-On Workshop (with Geoff Johnson)
In Victoria, we can grow fruits and veggies year round! Learn about growing food according to the seasons, setting up your garden, sheet mulching and other backyard gardening basics!
Wednesday, May 20th, 5pm - 7pm (refreshments included)
Where: 1171 Kings Road (access from Cook Street is pedestrian only; car access from Haultain Street)
What to bring: Please dress for the weather and bring gardening gloves if you have any
Registration is required for this workshop. For more information or to register please call 250.361.9433 ext. 217 or email environment@vircs.bc.ca
Bike Safety Workshop(with Bike to Work Week Victoria)
This is a safety seminar where you will learn the best positionings for cycling safety, proper helmet fit, bike safety checks and more!
Friday, April 24th, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Where: VIRCS ESL Classroom, 637 Bay Street
Intro to Bike Maintenance(with The Bike Lab Society)
This is a hands-on workshop where you will learn how to do a quick tune-up including adjusting breaks, adjusting gear, patching a flat tire and seasonal maintenance.
Friday, May 1st, 4pm – 6pm (Youth friendly!)
Where: VIRCS, 637 Bay Street
Bike Skills Course**(with Bike to Work Week Victoria)
** To register for this course, you must have a bike and feel comfortable riding it.
We will spend the day in class and on the road.
You will learn how to:
Ride comfortably and safely in heavy traffic
Fit your bike properly and do your own bike safety check
Be prepared to ride at night and in the rain
Choose equipment and clothing and plan your route
Saturday, May 2nd, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm (Youth friendly!)
Where: VIRCS ESL Classroom / BTWW Parking Lot
For more information or to register please call 250.361.9433 ext. 217 or email environment@vircs.bc.ca
Gardening for Small Spaces: Learn to Grow Food on Balconies and Windowsills with Matthew Kemshaw
Don't have a backyard? Learn some practical and affordable ways to grow food on your balcony or window sill. This workshop is a great way to spend a couple of hours outside learning with your whole family as well as to meet new people in Victoria.
Tuesday March 17th, 3pm - 5pm
Sunday March 22nd, 11am - 1pm
OR Monday, March 23rd, 3pm - 5pm Blanshard Community Centre 901 Kings Road www.blanshardcc.com
Cost: FREE
For more information or to register please call 250.361.9433 ext. 217 or email environment@vircs.bc.ca
The Compost Education Centre has FREE Composting Basics Workshops on the first Saturday of each month. To register or for more information, call the composting hotline: 250.386.WORM or visit www.compost.bc.ca.
Planning Your YearRoundVeggieGarden with Geoff Johnson
Learn to take advantage of Victoria's mild winters by spreading your veggie harvest throughout the entire year. With good design and planning, you can have broccoli and onions by early spring, just as your leeks and winter carrots are running out. In additions to year-round production, this workshop will also provide easy-to-follow guidelines for other key aspects of garden planning such as: siting the garden, pest prevention, crop selection/rotation, bed design options, and companion planting. Saturday March 7th, 2pm - 4pm Compost Education Centre 1216 North Park Street www.compost.bc.ca
Cost: $5 (This workshop is regularly $15 for the public. Compost Education Centre and VIRCS will each contribute $5 to the fee for VIRCS clients).
Only 5 spaces available so please register quickly. Registration deadline is Wednesday, March 4th.
For more information or to register please call 250.361.9433 ext. 217 or email environment@vircs.bc.ca
Healthy Homes: Easy recipes for making your own non-toxic cleaning products with Serene Watson of The Good Planet Company
Create a healthy home for your family
Save money
Protect our environment
February 20th, 5:30-7:30pm Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre 3rd Floor, 637 Bay Street (at Government)
This is a free workshop. To register please call (250) 361.9433 ext. 217 or email environment@vircs.bc.ca
Supplies and refreshments provided.
This workshop is in collaboration with VIRCS’ Women’s Group, so it is open to women only. We will offer another Healthy Homes workshop for those that cannot make this one. Please let us know if you are interested.
