Since the beginning, the Squamish Climate Action Network (Squamish CAN) has been a volunteer-led organization. It started in a true grassroots fashion, after an eight-week movie series to educate the community on climate change sparked energy to establish a new non-profit in Squamish.
That was back in 2009. In the ensuing decade, hundreds of community members have volunteered their time and resources to fulfill the organization’s mission to educate, support, and empower the community of Squamish by developing, promoting, and implementing sustainable strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Projects have typically fallen into the categories of food systems, zero waste, and renewable energy and public and active transportation.
These have become the three working groups of the organization, managed by the volunteer board of directors. What has sparked the dozens of initiatives led by Squamish CAN? Primarily, it is community members stepping forward with their ideas, and the desire to volunteer their time and energies to bring them to reality.
The results are a wonderful diversity of events, workshops, educational programs, and community infrastructure; there is something for everyone in Squamish to engage in.
The Zero Waste Action Team (ZWAT) aims to achieve zero waste in Squamish. It’s a daunting target, but one that folks are eager to participate in.
Two popular events are the ReUseit Fair, and the Repair Cafe. For an afternoon, the ReUseit Fair fills the ice rink at Brennan Park — and not our landfill — with people’s unwanted, usable items for anyone to take away, for free. The Repair Cafe also diverts waste from the landfill. It is an event where volunteers with all types of repairing skills, from carpentry to sewing, electronics to bicycle mechanics, fix broken items that locals bring in. The event is by donation, but attendees are expected to watch and learn as their items are fixed.
Squamish CAN’s Energy and Transportation committee is primarily operated by the hearts and souls of volunteers who donate their expertise and passion across the organization. Their priority is to reduce community energy consumption and dependency on fossil fuels in Squamish. These are the folks who co-ordinate the now bi-annual GoByBike Week, which inspires thousands to move around town on their bikes rather than in their vehicles. They also host educational community talks, with experts presenting on topics such as electric vehicles and bio energy and wood biomass.
It is estimated that globally, the food system contributes as much as half of all human-produced greenhouse gas emissions; strengthening our local food system is an essential part of tackling climate change! And that’s exactly what the volunteers with our food group do. Without them, so many initiatives wouldn’t be possible including the community gardens — which allow over 175 Squamish residents to grow their food — and the Mamquam Edible Schoolyard Program, which engages the more than 360 students at Mamquam Elementary in growing, harvesting and cooking food.
Everyone at Squamish CAN extends a heartfelt thank you to all of the volunteers who have contributed over the years. Together we are making a difference. For more information and to get involved vist squamishcan.net.
