Krystle tenBrink recalls fish stencils and storm drains. That's as deep as environmental education went when the Squamish Climate Action Network (CAN) president was in school.
These days, Squamish students tour the landfill to see where their juice boxes and paper bags end up. Overall, there's an environmental shift in Squamish, says tenBrink, who has called the community home for five years. The town's many organizations have various green initiatives on the go, from the Streamkeepers to the Brackendale Eagle Count.
This is where Green Drinks fits in, tenBrink says. Re-started after a few years' hiatus, the informational sessions consist of a mixture of groups and individuals, all with a common focus - the environment.
The meetings are not meant to come up with huge projects or a strict to-do list, although in some communities that has occurred, tenBrink says. The purpose is to get people talking green, thinking green and to connect people who are working on green initiatives, she says.
"It's a nice opportunity, in a grassroots way, to meet others and make those connections," tenBrink says.
Squamish CAN held its first revised Green Drinks meeting in November. Thirty-four people showed up. Conversation mainly focused on introductions and individuals' environmental interests, tenBrink says.
Worldwide, the self-organizing network has mobilized some big successes, she says. New York City's Green Drink group has more than 6,000 members. Green Drinks started in 1989 in London, England. Today, groups are set up in 65 countries, from Slovenia to the United Arab Emirates.
The next Squamish Green Drinks meeting is scheduled for today (Thursday, Jan 17) from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Garibaldi Room at the Howe Sound Brewery.
After that, there will be a gathering on Thursday, March 21, at the same time and location.
Green Drinks is open to hosting its event at various locations, tenBrink noted.
For more information on the environmental sessions visit www.squamishcan.net.
