MCRPLink has an Illustrious Following

Councillor Sohi has given our tweets a bit of credibility by becoming our first follower.

Welcome! Hope you can make it to our next potluck - it was a great time, and volunteers stayed well into the evening, socializing and enjoying the music of "Up The Creek".

Upcoming Sustainability / CSR Event

Stantec will be hosting
A Reality Check: 2010/11 Sustainability Trends for Canada’s Oil & Gas Sector
Panel Session hosted by CSR-Calgary and Stantec
Thursday, February 10, 2011 (6:00-8:00pm)

What can we realistically expect from Canada’s leading oil & gas companies, and how well do their future sustainability initiatives align to the changing needs of risk averse investors, engaged communities, influential ENGOs and partnering suppliers – and where are the new drivers where we can expect significant changes in practices at the well head and in the head office?

· Craig Stenhouse, Group Lead, Corporate responsibility, Cenovus
· Jeff Flood, General Manager, Social Responsibility, Nexen Inc.
· Monica Heincke, Sustainability Consultant, Stantec Consulting Ltd.
· Steven Paget, VP, Energy Infrastructure, FirstEnergy Capital Corp.
· Senior representative from The Pembina Institute (invited)
Moderater: Wesley Gee, Senior Sustainability Consultant, Stantec Consulting Ltd.

RSVP Rae at Rae.Laberee@Stantec.com

"I'm doing a worm presentation, what help can you give me?"

The MC/R team has all kinds of resources to help you be successful in your outreach initiatives.

Monique emailed to borrow a worm bin, and asked what else we can provide. Well Monique, when I do a worm workshop I have a set of notes that outlines each step in building and maintaining a bin. Take 'em.

The Composting booklet will meet your needs, but the Compost Bins You Can Build will not. How many of each you want.

The compost chef kit lets you dress as a chef and chop kitchen waste while discussing what to expect from the different material as it rots. You supply the kitchen scraps, but we can help if you don't eat eggs or certain fruits & veggies.

Want to demonstrate building a worm bin and then give it away as a door prize? We supply the container (plus newspaper and autumn leaves) and the worms.

This is just a start, we can loan you display units so you can advertise (that way folks know a bit about it as well as all the benefits before arriving - a real time saver!), or can photocopy notes, or make colour posters,

...hey! If you can dream it we will make it happen.

Welcome Patty!

Welcome to our new Master Composter/Recycler Program Assistant!

Patty has considerable experience with Community Services in volunteer management and community education programs. She has taught environmental topics both in the classroom and with Inside Education.

You all will be happy to hear that Rose Bangen is enjoying being retired, doing some traveling and spending time with family. Patty is the new “Rose” and we are very excited to have her join the Master Composter team. She and Cecilia are working on the potluck on February 10th and helping us gear up for Spring!

Don't Forget the Compost Pile

If your compost pile is in a sunny, sheltered spot, then our lengthening days will heat the pile enough to get those microbes moving.

If your pile isn't working at this time of year, it is probably because the pile has dried out. A pail of bathwater, aquarium water, non-greasy grey water, or (my favourite) a glass or two of warmed brandy, will provide the moisture needed by the bacteria to do their job.

If you neglect your compost in winter, the nitrogen you are adding now may be lost to our dry air.

and yes, I drink the brandy - it keeps me warm inside while I add it to the pile outside.