Mother Nature made her presence known during downtown Earth Day celebrations on Saturday (April 24) in the form of lots of rain.
Less than 100 environmental supporters endured the cold and wet afternoon to celebrate the planet and the first Green Business Award at O'Siem Pavilion Park.
Squamish Climate Action Network (CAN) member and award organizer Kim Ebers said the competition between the eight applicants was tough, but the winner definitely deserves the title.
"It was a super tight race. It was a tough decision."
Ebers, as an education group member with Squamish CAN, Squamish CAN co-ordinator Ana Santos, Squamish Streamkeepers chair Jack Cooley, and Mamquam River Access Society member Carla Sutherland judged the eight applicants, which included Sea to Sky Babies, Compost Culture, Agnes Jean Boutique, Echoflex Solutions, Garibaldi Highlands Booster Juice, Glacier Gallery B&B, Countercast Concrete Designs Inc., and Triack Resources.
Dave McRae's woodwaste recycling company Triack Resources won top honours.
"There were some really, really good contenders that offered amazing things, but he offered the most," said Ebers.
Triack Resources recycles wood waste into products like bark mulch, soil, and backyard fill.
"We took a waste item that was never dealt with and now we deal with it," McRae said.
Triack diverts about 85 per cent of the corridor's woodwaste away from landfills and creates 16 different types products out of the recycled material.
"Nobody really understands the quantities that we deal with are so massive and so big."
With little recognition for what Triack has contributed in the past and its potential for the future McRae said winning the Green Business Award is a little bit of vindication for him.
"We've been trying for four years with very little recognition through our attempts and this is the first real acknowledgement of what we've tried to achieve."
Ebers said it was precisely the contribution of Triack that essentially earn the company the award.
"They not only have designed their business around recycling - a core ethic but they've been working in the right direction to improve. To see that constant progression, that is one thing I would say stood out."
District of Squamish acting mayor Paul Lalli also touted progress as an indicator to environmental success.
Lalli highlighted the district's environmental initiatives including the purchase of an electric Zamboni, the introduction of curb side recycling an initiative to phase out the dependency of plastic bags with retailers and an investigation into waterline pipe leaks.
"It's up to all of us to do our bit but the district believes that we obviously need to be sensitive and work towards more sustainable more environmentally friendly community."
Pointing to his two daughters, six-year-old Justine and four-year-old Jaya, Lalli said Earth Day is ultimately about the future.
"I think Earth Day is all about them, leaving the Earth in a better place for the future, for our kids, that's what it's all about. We're here today but it's really about tomorrow."
Squamish Environment Society president Catherine Jackson said she'd call the family friendly event a success.
"It's lovely to see all the families out and about and people really enjoying themselves," said Jackson who organized the event in partnership with the Squamish River Watershed Society, Squamish CAN and in association with the Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association and Quest University.
A few dozen canvass-covered booths offered much needed shelter from the down pour as well as plenty of information on the bear aware program, local aquatic bugs, organic greens, and a local organization dedicated to the promotion of sustainable practices in winter sports communities.
Live music and entertainment woven through the afternoon program kept attendees enthralled while barbecue veggie dogs and burgers kept everyone sated.
Squamish CAN co-ordinator Ana Santos said Earth Day is obviously alive in well in our community.
"It doesn't seem to me that Earth Day is reaching a mid-life crisis at all. There is no time for crisis. This is a very exciting time to be alive We have to re-invent, re-create and start experimenting with new things.
"I'm so glad there's so many people in Squamish that feel exactly the same way about this unique opportunity for change."
