Key Federal, Provincial & Municipal Government Contacts
Writing a letter to voice your opinion is not only therapeutic but can make a difference. The more of us who do it, the more likely some action will come of it. Here we have conveniently compiled a list of emails for city councilors and mayors for most municipalities,... Read more
Tree Appreciation Day
Come celebrate Tree Appreciation Day on Sunday, November 3rd! Beacon Hill Park – Cameron Bandshell 10 am – 1 pm No cost for attendees. Tree tours Ceremonial Tree Planting Children’s art station “Match the Leaves with the Seeds” activity Ask an Arborist station... Read more
Working Together to Rethink Waste – The CRD Wants To Hear From You!
The Capital Regional District (CRD) is developing a new Solid Waste Management Plan—the plan that guides how the region will manage solid waste in the coming years, including recyclables, compostable material and garbage from homes, businesses, institutions, and... Read more
The Urban Forest Master Plan
Interested in knowing more about trees and how best to protect and preserve them? The City of Victoria Urban Forest Master Plan (2013) is a wonderful document brimming with useful and relevant information about trees. It is not only a fascinating read, but an easy... Read more
Esquimalt Park To Receive 450 New Trees & Shrubs
These native plants will add to the biodiversity in the park, as well as increase tree coverage in the region. There will be 23 species planted in total, including Garry oaks, Douglas fir…
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Victoria, BC Climate Strike
Estimates are that about 20,000 people attended today’s climate action strike and march with parts of Government, Belleville, Douglas and Fort Street closed off to traffic as the group moved from the lawns of the Legislature up Douglas to Fort Street. People of... Read more
Climate Action Teach In and Rally
Despite heavy rain, about 300 people, mostly teachers, parents and youth, turned out Monday for the Climate Action Teach In and Rally at the Legislature. There was a definite buzz of energy with connections and conversations made and visits to a variety of exhibitors,... Read more
Tree Bike Tour
The Community Trees Matter Network in partnership with CreativelyUnited.org and the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition hosted an inaugural bike tree tour this past Sunday guided by municipal arbourist, Ryan Senechal, from the City of Victoria; tree preservation... Read moreA Tree For All Trades
Thank you to everyone who came out to the film and information night on Friday. It was a full house that included an opportunity for those in attendance to learn more about carbon negative Harmless Home and how the new technology it employs could result in less lumber... Read moreA Home Building Revolution: The Harmless Home
It’s now possible to build structures that are carbon negative, fireproof, soundproof, toxin free, earthquake, mold and pest resistant. This video features the first home of its kind in the world. Located in East Sooke on southern Vancouver Island, near... Read more
Care about the Colquitz? Elk/Beaver Lake are the head waters of the Colquitz
This event will provide an opportunity to learn more about water quality issues at Elk/Beaver Lake and how you can support the development of a watershed management plan. Tasty, light refreshments will be provided! Join the CRD and the community on Wednesday, July 31... Read moreWelcome to the Anthropocene – Dr. Trevor Hancock Presentation
The Creatively United for the Planet Society is honoured to have Dr. Trevor Hancock on our board of directors. His columns appear weekly in the Times Colonist, and he is an in-demand speaker world-wide. This video was captured at one of our recent events on Creating... Read more
Watch: Creating Resilient Green Built Neighbourhoods
These inspiring presentations focus on solutions for the creation of resilient, healthy and happy communities.Speakers include: Jack Anderson, one of western Canada’s leading green building design experts, urban planners and community design visionaries; Arno... Read more
One Planet Saanich
The Creatively United for the Planet Society has been involved since last year in the One Planet Saanich Initiative, with 12 local schools, businesses and other organizations. One planet living is a vision of the world in which people enjoy healthy, happy lives,... Read more
Putting Good Money To Work
Thank you to the incredible Vancity team for their support for CreativelyUnited.org, where local solutions for lighter living are shared 24/7. Vancity shares our common goals and values, as a result, we are creating more videos and a special limited edition magazine... Read more
City of Victoria Town Hall on Climate Change
In June, the City of Victoria hosted public town halls on climate change, focused on existing buildings, new buildings and transportation. Two of our volunteers, Grace Golightly and Lisa Gordon used their five minutes each at the microphone to remind mayor and council... Read moreHighlands Strip Mine Not in Public Interest
Please take a moment and let Premier John Horgan know that you object to a proposed strip mine in the South Highlands. Now, more than ever, we need leadership on climate change. Turning 43 acres of hills, forest and wetlands into a deep and barren crater is not in the... Read more
Summer Markets Guide
We are so fortunate to have a plethora of wonderful fresh locally grown organic produce to choose from. Here’s a list of some of the most popular markets in the region, many of which, have wonderful live music and lots of local artisans to add to the flavour.
Read moreLiving Indigenous Law in Canada by John Borrows
John Borrows shares his knowledge of indigenous law in this video captured at a recent Conversations for a One Planet Region event at the Greater Victoria Public Library. John Borrows is the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Law at the University of Victoria Law... Read more
Inspired Leadership
Between the Leadership Victoria Awards at Government House and the Green New Deal townhall in Fernwood, Victoria was buzzing with excitement. Last night one of Victoria’s youngest recipients, Rebecca Wolf Gage was acknowledged for her leadership in organizing... Read more
Inspiration Plus!
Thanks to everyone who came out in support of our Earth Day event Monday evening and dropped by to say “hi” and volunteered at our table at the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific’s Earth Day event earlier in the day. Our line up of speakers for... Read more
Urban Forests Benefit Us All
Thank you to the more than 100 people who attended Community Trees Matter Network’s April 17th discussion with Dr. Cecil Konijnendijk. His inspiring presentation clearly illustrated the true value of trees from a public health and wellness perspective and why we... Read more
Earth Day In The Gardens Community Event
Meet and interact with earth-minded community groups, nonprofit organizations, green businesses and more at this, “enviro expo for all things eco!” Admission is free and includes access to our nine acres of demonstration gardens to inspire you, as well as interactive children’s activities to engage the next generation of environmental stewards.
Read moreTree Love Town Hall
This event is taking place on the unceded territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ Nations. Calling all tree lovers, land defenders and concerned citizens! There is growing public concern about the future of our remnant Garry oak forests. The once-expansive Garry oak forests have... Read more
Park Protection Needs Vigilance
Check out the fabulous images/video of the diversity of wildlife living in harmony just 30 minutes from downtown Victoria. The NDP wants to put a highway through Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park. Fortunately and thankfully, the CRD board, with tremendous public... Read more
Calling All Tree Lovers!
If you love our urban trees the Community Trees Matter Network wants to hear from you. We are looking for people with a variety of skills who care enough to volunteer occasionally. If you are interested in trees, please take a moment to let us know with this short... Read more
Sooke Hills Wilderness Park Highway Proposal Update
Thank you to everyone who has written letters and showed up at CRD meetings to speak against the province’s desire to see a highway pushed through our precious watershed in the Sooke Hills Wilderness Park. The insanity of this proposal shows that the Ministry of... Read more
Together Trees Stand, Divided They Fall
It was such a disappointment to see the media slant a celebratory good news story into a negative piece of journalism by sensationalizing one council member’s comments. As community members and volunteers, we can honestly say we are very pleased at how receptive... Read more
Urban Forest Master Plan To Be Implemented
Thank you to Victoria Council (technically the Committee of the Whole) for approving $1.26 million in new funding for our urban forest, in addition to the $110K already approved to update the 2005 Tree Protection Bylaw. Finally, the Urban Forest Master Plan adopted in... Read more
Community Trees Matter Network Information and Inspiration Night
Join us Wednesday, February 27th from 7:30 – 9 pm at the Church of Truth, 111 Superior St, for an inspirational and informational evening featuring a talk and photography by Frances Litman, local author Jane Warren Campbell reading from her book Conversations... Read more
Victoria’s Trees Need Your Help! Time Sensitive Update
Council votes Feb. 21st on funding the Urban Forest Master Plan. Money is available, but council could maintain its record of underfunding. If you haven’t already, please tell them how important trees are to all of us. Write city council TODAY and tell them to... Read more
Trees Can Do That? International Speaker, Author, & Urban Forest Expert Cecil Konijnendijk, Phd
UBC Urban Forestry professor and international urban forest governance expert, Cecil Konijnendijk, will share his passion about urban trees, urban nature and urban greening programs on Wednesday, April 17th from 7:15 – 9 pm at the Cook Street Activity Center, 380 Cook Street.
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Delivering Community Power
Kudos to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and Friends of Public Services for taking a serious look at the Leap Manifesto and bringing an action plan to it. If we truly intend to take climate change seriously, we need more initiatives like this and support for the... Read more
Youth Rising For Climate Justice Rally
Kudos to Antonia Paquin and all the students and youth who came out this morning to the Youth Rising for Climate Justice rally at the Victoria Legislature where songs and many wise words were shared. A few of the many notable quotes: “We’re the first generation to be... Read more
National Geographic Video: Forest Garden With 500 Edible Plants Could Lead to a Sustainable Future
This is brilliant! It clearly shows how nature has set us up to thrive pre colonization…when people were free to live in harmony with the land. If we truly want to address climate change and food security, let this serve as a simple example of what is possible... Read more
Protect Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Park
Creatively United will be standing up for the East Sooke Regional Park on February 20th at the CRD headquarters, 625 Fisgard in the 6th-floor boardroom on the importance of protecting and preserving East Sooke Regional Park. Please join us! Read more for more information.
Read moreLast Minute Plant Rescuers Needed!
HAT was granted an opportunity to salvage native plants on a large swath of land in Langford prior to development. Paige, HAT’s Stewardship Coordinator is requesting backup from any Plant Rescuers, any and all individuals who can dig with a shovel. It will be cold,... Read more
The Importance of Trees in an Urban Setting
Last year there was quite a bit of talk about the heat in Montreal and the fact that so many people were dying during one of their heat waves. That was directly attributed to the lack of trees and their ability to significantly lower temperature. Read moreTake Action on Food and Farmland Trust
Hello CRD residents, As you know we need food and farmland that is protected and accessible to farmers over the long term. One strategy is to create a local government supported Food and Farmland Trust. It’s time! On February 20, 2019, the CRD Planning and Protective... Read more
Beautiful Tree in Downtown Victoria Slated For Removal
This beautiful and established tree at the corner of Humboldt and Government Street by the Visitor Information Centre adds beauty, character, charm and works 24/7 for no pay cleaning the air, absorbing excess water and providing habitat for birds, yet, like the stump... Read more
FOCUS Magazine Article: Victoria’s diminishing urban forest
A big shout out to Leslie Campbell for her excellent article in this month’s Focus Magazine on Victoria’s urban forests and the rise of the Community Trees Matter Network. We are so fortunate to have a publication like Focus Magazine telling it like it is.... Read more
Plenty to Celebrate!
Thank you for being part of the Creatively United community. We are honoured that Guy Dauncey has endorsed CreativelyUnited.org as the go-to-place to post and find local thought-provoking events, information and resources. This past year we have seen our community... Read moreGrizzly Bear Hunting Banned
Thanks to Barb Murray and the Bears Matter team for their years of hard work to ban the Grizzly Beat hunt. More than 300 grizzlies were saved this year and hundreds more will be spared each year the ban is in place. Charlie Russell was instrumental for changing how... Read more
Planting Our Future – A Tree Toolkit for Communities
Although this document was created in 2008, the information remains relevant and provides useful planning tools and strategies that can be used to help communities to enhance the value of their urban forest. The benefits of trees are clearly listed, issues and... Read more
Presentation to Esquimalt Council
Thank you mayor and council for your service to our community and the opportunity to address you. I’m here on behalf of the Community Trees Matter Network and the Creatively United for the Planet Society. We’d like to thank the Township and staff for being proactive... Read more
Victories To Celebrate!
Thank you to all the people and groups taking a stand for our community trees. The Community Trees Matter Network came together out of a desire to bring more voices together in support for our urban trees and forests and to find out what resources and information we... Read moreRecommendations To Make Trees Matter
Members of the Community Trees Matter Network and the Creatively United for the Planet Society have enthusiastically encouraged the City of Victoria to strengthen its tree preservation bylaws and adopt the strategic plan and budget that will see the Urban Forest... Read more
Art, Poetry & Prose Exposed
Eileen Curteis, a Sister of Saint Ann and Victoria resident, has just released her 12th book, Exposed, featuring 58 original works of art and divinely inspired poetry and prose addressing a journey of spiritual healing and enlightenment for our time. Sister Eileen has... Read more
Remembering City of Victoria Election Promises
With mayors and councils making important budget decisions now, these questions are more relevant now than ever. For example, Lisa Helps sent out a campaign news release saying we could celebrate Tree Appreciation Day by planting trees in neighbourhoods all over the city, up to 1000. However, only four were planted this year, about a quarter of the number that was planted last year.
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