After five years with her nose to the grindstone, Kitchissippi-Ottawa Valley Council of Canadians Chapter animator Ann Pohl believes all the effort is finally paying off!
Saturday, the group celebrated Environment Day one day late- and their own fifth anniversary of the Climate Matters group at the same time. The venue was the hall behind the Thrift Shop at Trinity St. Andrew’s United Church on Plaunt Street in Renfrew, and the Day Festival offered many different learning opportunities and components.
For one, Pohl was not the spokesperson!
That’s Angie McKinnon, who greeted attendees as they entered and gave each a rundown on what to expect at the various themed-tables at the function. At the door where fabric bundle remnants from the Fabric of Hope initiative for purchase, and one’s contribution meant a meaningful diversion from the local landfill.
The Festival also served as a collection point for the Ribbons of Hope project component.
By arriving a specific times, the invited and the curious could attend what met their interest. 2:30PM saw a discussion of the Mother Earth Medicine Wheel.
Larissa Holman stood in for the Ottawa Riverkeeper- she’s that organization’s Director of Science and Policy and spoke of the challenges facing the 1200 kilometre long river system.
Retrofitting tips were available directly from an independent professional not associated with any specific brand.
Perhaps one of the biggest draws was free pizza, from an associated campaign- Pizza, Not pipelines.
The well-attended birthday bash also celebrated perhaps the win that got them on the map- the creation, by Renfrew County, of its new Climate Committee.
By Rick Stow
