Issue 10

http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-10/128/Welcome to Metro Vancouver Update

Welcome to Metro Vancouver Update

<div class="ExternalClass2BEB9A045395428EBB7EC5899F892907"><p>Welcome to the Metro Vancouver Update, bringing you news and information from around the region. This month we highlight the region-wide sprinkling regulations, which are in place from now to the end of September. We're celebrating good early results on the region's food scraps and wood recycling initiatives, and getting ready for Canada Parks Day, Saturday July 18. Visit a Regional Park. Register for a watershed tour. Attend a farmers market. Come out and discover what makes our region livable.</p><p><span lang="EN-US">Metro Vancouver is a partnership of 21 municipalities, one Electoral Area and one Treaty First Nation that collaboratively plans and delivers services throughout the region. Our core services are drinking water, wastewater treatment, and solid waste management – garbage and recycling. Metro Vancouver also regulates air quality, plans for urban growth, manages a regional parks system, and provides affordable housing. Metro Vancouver is governed by a Board of Directors of elected officials from each local authority.</span></p></div>

Welcome

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In this issue

Caring for the Air 2015	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-10/129/Caring for the Air 2015	Caring for the Air 2015	<div class="ExternalClass1A4EA628069B4FEDBD2ECB3C721FEBD3"><p>Metro Vancouver's annual Caring for the Air report provides news, tips and facts about air quality and climate change issues in our region. This year's report explains how air pollution from around the world can affect our air quality. It also includes Metro Vancouver's air quality and climate change programs, and how they are developed to benefit the lives of people in our region. <br><br></p></div>	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue10-caringfortheair.jpg	Read more...	Caring	Full
Summer 2015 Water Supply, and Sprinkling Regulations	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-10/130/Summer 2015 Water Supply, and Sprinkling Regulations	Summer 2015 Water Supply, and Sprinkling Regulations	<div class="ExternalClass4F75AA3158F54BAABCCF090B0AF1AAA6"><p>While snowpack is important, our region's water supply does not solely depend upon it. Rainfall contributes significantly to the water levels in the <a href="/services/water/sources-supply/watersheds-reservoirs/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">three reservoirs</a> that serve Metro Vancouver. </p><p>Annual <a href="/services/water/water-conservation/lawn-sprinkling/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">region-wide lawn sprinkling regulations</a> are in effect June 1 through September 30 and are an effective way you can contribute to how we manage our water in the summer months.</p><p>"With this year's record low snowpack and unseasonably warm start to the summer season, we encourage all residents and businesses to do the right thing and conserve water whenever possible." -Metro Vancouver board chair Greg Moore. </p></div>	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue10-lawnsprinkling.jpg	Read more...	LawnSprinkling	Full
Protecting Your Health: A New Air Quality Objective for Sulphur Dioxide	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-10/131/Protecting Your Health: A New Air Quality Objective for Sulphur Dioxide	Protecting Your Health: A New Air Quality Objective for Sulphur Dioxide	<div class="ExternalClassBD442C9D118F464CA79F2C8446BF4B96"><p>The Metro Vancouver Board adopted a stringent new objective for sulphur dioxide (SO2) that will better protect our health and the environment, and is consistent with our commitment to continuously improve air quality. </p><p>Marine vessels and petroleum refining are the largest sources of SO2 emissions in our region. The federal government plans to revise the national SO2 standards, but provinces and other jurisdictions may not have to achieve those standards until 2020. Metro Vancouver <a href="/services/air-quality/AirQualityPublications/SO2Factsheet.pdf" target="_blank">has adopted new SO2 objective</a>s on an interim basis to bridge the gap until new national standards are put in place. </p></div>	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue10-protectingyourhealth.jpg	Read more...	Protecting	Full
Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-10/132/Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion	Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion	<div class="ExternalClass4091601219B140C89622A15DA0B3D3E2"><p>The Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant, near the Alex Fraser bridge, will treat the wastewater for about 1.5 million people. </p><p>This expansion project is in the design phase, with construction expected to be complete in 2020. The preliminary estimated cost is $550 million. </p></div>	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue10-annacis.jpg	Read more...	Annacis	Full
Air quality and your health - Roadside Air Quality Monitoring Study	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-10/133/Air quality and your health - Roadside Air Quality Monitoring Study	Air quality and your health - Roadside Air Quality Monitoring Study	<div class="ExternalClass7FE3572EE33F4770BB73E668368EC235"><p>Motor vehicles are one of the largest sources of air pollution in our region, and can increase the risk of developing asthma and lung cancer in children and adults. In Metro Vancouver, over 400,000 people live within 100 metres of a major roadway. </p><p>Metro Vancouver is conducting a study on roadside air quality in partnership with Environment Canada, and the University of Toronto. Results are expected in 2017.</p></div>	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue10-roadside.jpg	Read more...	AirQuality	Full
Good uptake on the new recycling regulations for clean wood and food scraps	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-10/134/Good uptake on the new recycling regulations for clean wood and food scraps	Good uptake on the new recycling regulations for clean wood and food scraps	<div class="ExternalClassA74D0206C8134E1B8D84A73D214EF53E"><p>On January 1, 2015 Metro Vancouver added clean wood and food scraps to the list of materials that are, by regulation, banned from our <a href="/services/solid-waste/garbage-recycling/transfer-stations/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">disposal facilities</span></a> (landfills and the waste-to-energy facility). These items are banned from disposal because recycling options are available, right across the region. </p></div>	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/CleanWood.jpg	Read more...	DisposalBan	Full

Check It Out	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-10/135/Check It Out	Check It Out	<div class="ExternalClass55D8C0D200744FF28188C9293C979543"><p>The summer edition of <a href="/events/regional-parks-nature-program/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Check It Out</span></a> is now available. This event guide has programs and events for you and your family to learn about, connect with and enjoy our Regional Parks. </p><p>Canada Parks Day, Saturday July 18. Free activities in many of our beautiful Regional Parks. Find bird banding, hot composting, crab holding, sea kayaking and more at Metrovancouver.org/parksday </p><p>Bats on Deas Island, Pirates at Burnaby Lake, a Meteor Shower in Aldergrove, and at least 30 more programs await you. Visit Metrovancouver.org/events or subscribe <a href="/events/regional-parks-nature-program/Pages/default.aspx"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">here</span></a> to receive your copy by email.</p></div>	Read more...	Check It Out	SummaryBottom
Upcoming Events	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-10/136/Upcoming Events	Upcoming Events	<div class="ExternalClassC671867AF7744825844FA23724E37759"><p><strong>Emotive 2015 Summer Event Season</strong></p><p>Ever driven an EV (Electric vehicle)? Curious? <a href="http://www.emotivebc.ca/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><em>Emotive</em></span></a><em> the electric vehicle experience</em>, is a campaign to raise awareness about electric vehicles. </p><ul><li>sit behind the wheel of a BMW i3</li><li>find out why your music sounds better in an EV</li><li>ask their smart staff questions about EVs</li><li>learn about incentives through the Clean Energy Vehicle for BC program.</li></ul><p>Metro Vancouver and other <a href="http://pluginbc.ca/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Plug in BC</span></a> partners are offering the <em>Emotive: Electric Vehicle Experience</em> campaign for a second year. Upcoming events include: </p><ul><li>June 24: Make Music Vancouver (Vancouver)</li></ul><ul><li>June 27: Walnut Grove Business Association Family Day (Langley)</li><li>July 1: Surrey Canada Day (Surrey)</li><li>July 4: East Van Summer Jam (Vancouver)</li><li>July 18: Electrafest (Vancouver)</li><li>July 19: Aldergrove Fair Days (Langley)</li><li>Aug 15: Burnaby Farmer's Market (Burnaby)</li><li>Sept 19-20: Country Celebration (Campbell Valley Regional Park, Langley)</li><li>Sept 22-23: Car Share Association Conference (Vancouver)</li></ul><p><strong>Metro Vancouver's Zero Waste Conference October 29, 2015</strong></p><p>Mark your calendar for Thursday, October 29 and register for the annual Zero Waste Conference. We've confirmed speaker <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pub/william-mcdonough/15/2/72a" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">William McDonough, FAIA, FRIBA, Int.</span></a>, a globally recognized leader in sustainable development and design, recognized by <em>Time</em> magazine as a '<em>Hero for the Planet</em>'. </p><p>The conference agenda aims to challenge traditional assumptions around waste and demonstrate the economic value to be realized from zero waste and circular economy approaches. </p><p>Last year over 500 professionals and waste-enthusiast came out to talk about the future of how we manage our waste in and outside of our region. Bookmark the <a href="http://zwcblog.org/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">conference blog</span></a> and <a href="http://www.zwc.ca/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">conference website</span></a> and check for updates as the program develops. </p><p><strong>Metro Vancouver's Television Programs: The Sustainable Region & Metro Vancouver Close Up </strong></p><p><a href="/media-room/video-gallery/the-sustainable-region" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">The Sustainable Region</span></a> TV series examines how Metro Vancouver manages growth, protects the environment, and delivers vital services to residents of our region. </p><p>This month features Metro Vancouver's Emergency Management Integrated Response initiative and how coordination and collaboration between levels of government and stakeholders works in emergency situations. </p><p><a href="/media-room/video-gallery/metro-vancouver-close-up" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Metro Vancouver Close Up</span></a> shows how municipalities and community groups are promoting sustainability and shared regional goals. New videos are posted each month. Current videos include: </p><ul><li>Surrey Party for the Planet - City of Surrey celebrates Earth Day with a massive event featuring 3 concert stages and dozens of displays and activities at the City Hall Plaza. BC's largest Earth Day event. All free. <br></li><li>New Westminster (and other cities) Jane's Walk -Neighbourhood walks are celebrated around the world on the first weekend in May. Dozens of Metro Vancouver walks took place, including several led by mayors. <br> </li><li>Coquitlam Earth Day Yoga- an action plan for the Coquitlam River watershed was launched at Coquitlam city hall on Earth Day, featuring displays and of course, yoga. </li></ul><p>These programs air back to back on Shaw TV4, Delta Cable 4 and Novus TV4:</p><p>Shaw TV 4: Wed 7:30pm; Sat 12:30pm; Mon 3:30pm; Tues 11pm<br> NVTV4: Sun, Mon, Wed, Fri at 8:30pm; Tues, Thurs, Sat at 9am & 3:30pm<br> Delta TV: Sun/Mon at 8am & 2pm; Mon-Fri at 11:30am</p><p>And they are always available <a href="/media-room/video-gallery/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">online</span></a>.</p><p><strong>Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Photo Contest </strong></p><p>Metro Vancouver invites amateur and professional photographers alike to share their best photos showing why they love Regional Parks. </p><p>Submit up to three photos for a chance to win great prizes. The contest is open to ages 13 and up. The entry deadline is Aug 31, 2015. Vote for the People's Choice Award Sept 1 – 15, 2015. </p><p>For details visit us <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MetroVancouverRegionalParks?sk=app_515720611858523" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">online</span></a> or go to metrovancouver.org and search 'photo contest' </p><p><strong>Sustainability Dialogue </strong></p><p><em>Help shape the future of the region by sharing your thoughts with other local experts on innovative solutions to challenging regional issues. The Future of the Region Sustainability Dialogues facilitates dynamic discussions on key regional issues over the years, from housing to transportation, livability to waste and social connectedness.</em></p><p>Join us to hear experts from three jurisdictions – Denmark, Metro Vancouver, Coastal British Columbia – explain how they work across sectors to ensure the best approaches for preventing and managing waste. <a href="/events/sustainability-dialogues/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US" style="text-decoration:underline;">Register here.</span></a> </p><p><em>Collaborating for Waste Prevention and Reduction</em>,<em> </em>Friday June 26, 2015, 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM (light lunch 11:30)</p><p>For the waste sector worldwide, cooperation and collaboration by multiple stakeholders – local, regional and provincial governments, the private sector, and non-profit organizations – is critical, particularly with a growing focus on waste prevention and reduction. </p><p><strong>Sustainability Community Breakfast</strong></p><p><em>Metro Vancouver's Sustainability Community Breakfasts is a series of monthly breakfast meetings that support the Sustainable Region Initiative. They provide an opportunity to build networks and partnerships, to increase awareness and understanding of the opportunities and challenges related to sustainability, and to bring together individuals and organizations interested in the sustainability of the region. </em></p><p>The next Sustainable Community Breakfast is scheduled for September 2015. </p></div>	Read more...	Events	SummaryBottom
Did You Know?	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-10/137/Did You Know?	Did You Know?	<div class="ExternalClassD0DEBB9FAE7845E996228E7832078483"><div><ul><li><p>Agriculture in our metropolitan region makes a significant contribution to the BC economy, with over $789 million in gross annual farm receipts in 2010 (27% of the BC farm total) on only 1.5% of the province’s agricultural land.</p></li><li><p>Only 5% of farmers in our region are under 35 years old. Many don’t own land, but leasing is an opportunity to access farm land. </p></li><li><p>A farm lease is a contractual agreement through which a landowner conveys occupation rights to a property, or portion of a property, for a determined time period, subject to various conditions, in exchange for payment. About 50% of the land in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ARL) in our region is actively farmed: a third of this land is leased. </p></li></ul></div></div>	Read more...	Did You Know	SummaryBottom