http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-29/405/Welcome

Welcome

<div class="ExternalClass05CF693C72F049CD91F8C44AACDDF305">Welcome to the February Metro Vancouver Update - our first issue as the Metro Vancouver Regional District - we have officially changed our name from the Greater Vancouver Regional District.Top of mind in this issue is homelessness. Metro Vancouver’s Regional Homelessness Task Force released its position paper: Addressing Homelessness in Metro Vancouver identifying 12 critical actions to address an identified crisis situation for homelessness across our region. We're also coordinating the 2017 Homeless Count, set for March 7th and 8th.Metro Vancouver Regional Parks is launching its 50th anniversary celebration. Join in the fun and get a regional parks passport that can be stamped at 18 celebratory events being held at parks across the region. This edition also contains updates on recycling rates, treating your drinking water, electric vehicle charging stations and much more. The Metro Vancouver Update brings you news and information from around the region. If you enjoy reading the Metro Vancouver Update, share it with a friend, and welcome them to subscribe <a href="/events/sri-mailing-lists/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank"> here</a>. Metro Vancouver is a federation of 21 municipalities, one Electoral Area and one Treaty First Nation that collaboratively plans for and delivers regional-scale services. Its core services are drinking water, wastewater treatment and solid waste management. Metro Vancouver also regulates air quality, plans for urban growth, manages a regional parks system and provides affordable housing. </div>

In this issue

Metro Vancouver Regional Homelessness Task Force recommends action	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-29/420/Metro Vancouver Regional Homelessness Task Force recommends action	Metro Vancouver Regional Homelessness Task Force recommends action	<div class="ExternalClass776FA8700A2340B8A146E36335195183"><p>Metro Vancouver’s Regional Homelessness Task Force has come out with a recommendation and a proposed action plan to reverse an unprecedented rise in the number of homeless people living on the streets, in makeshift camps and temporary shelters across the region.</p> </div>	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue29-HomelessnessTaskForce.JPG	Read more...	htf	Full
Homeless count	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-29/406/Homeless count	Homeless count	<div class="ExternalClass938E41DA8C0C4EAAA54B41685BA314A6"><p>Volunteers will hit the streets on March 7 and 8 for Metro Vancouver’s 2017 Homeless Count.</p> </div>	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue29-Homelessness.jpg	Read more...	homelessness	Full
Metro Vancouver Regional District official name change	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-29/407/Metro Vancouver Regional District official name change	Metro Vancouver Regional District official name change	<div class="ExternalClass55E44D47317D4EAE98CC2B25DB7D515C"><p>The ‘GVRD’ has officially changed its name to the Metro Vancouver Regional District. </p> </div>	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/mv-banner.jpg	Read more...	mvrd	Full
Regional Parks 50th Anniversary 2017	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-29/408/Regional Parks 50th Anniversary 2017	Regional Parks 50th Anniversary 2017	<div class="ExternalClass10BB15A616214B75AAE3B10AD718293C"><p>Metro Vancouver is launching a year-long celebration of its 50th anniversary of Regional Parks.</p></div>	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue29-parks50.jpg	Read more...	parks	Full
Recycling rates are in for 2016	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-29/409/Recycling rates are in for 2016	Recycling rates are in for 2016	<div class="ExternalClassED47DCB2818D4095803EDF6AD7FD5FDB"><p>Recycling rates continue to rise in Metro Vancouver but residents are still throwing recyclables in the trash.</p></div>	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue29-recyclingrates.jpg	Read more...	recycling	Full	Figure E1: Waste Disposal per Capita by Primary Category Composition (2011-2016) - All Sectors Combined (excluding DLC)
Wood smoke reduction policy consultation	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-29/410/Wood smoke reduction policy consultation	Wood smoke reduction policy consultation	<div class="ExternalClassA3D8AD50F50C485780E48D43E85A77A4"><p>Metro Vancouver is considering changes to residential wood-burning practices around the region.</p></div>	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue29-woodsmoke.jpg	Read more...	woodsmoke	Full
Bowyer and Passage Island barge clean up	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-29/411/Bowyer and Passage Island barge clean up	Bowyer and Passage Island barge clean up	<div class="ExternalClassFFF72304E0FE4D8388648F4FB96CA379"><p>Residents of Bowyer Island and Passage Island coordinated a massive effort to clean up Howe Sound by disposing of accumulated debris, including mattresses, tires, scrap metal, Styrofoam and old appliances.</p></div>	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue29-Bowyer.jpg	Read more...	bowyer	Full
Electric Vehicle (EV) friendly strata registry	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-29/412/Electric Vehicle (EV) friendly strata registry	Electric Vehicle (EV) friendly strata registry	<div class="ExternalClass875AF415EF824EAEB04924530FADCE7B"><p>Metro Vancouver has launched a new website, <a href="http://www.evcondo.ca/" target="_blank">EVcondo.ca</a>, designed to help current or future EV owners, strata councils and property managers install EV charging stations in strata buildings.</p></div>	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue29-evfriendly.jpg	Read more...	ev	Full	Looking to move to a building that has EV-charging? Search our map-based registry.
UV updates at the Seymour Capilano Filtration Plant	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-29/413/UV updates at the Seymour Capilano Filtration Plant	UV updates at the Seymour Capilano Filtration Plant	<div class="ExternalClass92350B61446D47918AE90FEF5697341F"><p>The Seymour-Capilano Water Filtration Plant's UV disinfection system was recently upgraded to use energy more efficiently.</p></div>	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/Issue29-SCFP.jpg	Read more...	scfp	Full	UV Gallery inside the Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant
Wood waste remanufacturing with UBC	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-29/414/Wood waste remanufacturing with UBC	Wood waste remanufacturing with UBC	<div class="ExternalClass3A89A6107B784E4F9D335C54CE9A7AD5"><p>The University of B.C., with support from Metro Vancouver, has introduced a new method to remanufacture wood waste from housing demolitions and sawmills into high-grade recycled particle board.</p></div>	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue29-woodwaste.jpg	Read more...	woodwaste	Full	Inside UBC’s Centre for Advanced Wood Processing
Foundation providing bus access to Regional Parks 50th celebrations	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-29/415/Foundation providing bus access to Regional Parks 50th celebrations	Foundation providing bus access to Regional Parks 50th celebrations	<div class="ExternalClassF6ED94258947413AAE03C0FDBE59E7D2"><p>The Pacific Parklands Foundation (PPF) has launched a new Bus Grant Program to help schools and other groups raise transportation funds for field trips to regional parks.</p></div>	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue29-ppf.jpg	Read more...	ppf	Full
School learns about wastewater in Gleneagles	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-29/416/School learns about wastewater in Gleneagles	School learns about wastewater in Gleneagles	<div class="ExternalClassD82FDDD622F542A193F3D649F87C7A8A"><p>Gleneagles Elementary crowded into the school gymnasium for an engaging theatrical presentation by DreamRider Productions about the value of clean water.</p></div>	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue29-gleneagles.jpg	Read more...	gleneagles	Full	Gleneagles Elementary School students learning about the water cycle
Video award for food waste	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-29/417/Video award for food waste	Video award for food waste	<div class="ExternalClass860C4A7B790B46279F741CCCD79861C5"><p>This lively short video on the National Zero Waste Council’s National Food Waste Reduction Strategy won the silver medal in an international contest last month, held by the United Nations Environment Programme and the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation.</p></div>	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue29-nzwc.jpg	Read more...	video	Full

Check it Out!	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-29/418/Check it Out!	Check it Out!	<div class="ExternalClass4432C95627A14BCF9386C1130DF65CCA"><p>The <a href="/events/regional-parks-nature-program/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank"> Check it Out!</a> program guide has great events and activities for you and your family to learn about, connect with and enjoy nature in regional parks. The Spring edition is out now, full of events Celebrating 50 Years of Metro Vancouver Regional Parks.</p></div>	Read more...	cio	SummaryBottom
Sustainability Community Breakfast	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-29/421/Sustainability Community Breakfast	Sustainability Community Breakfast	<div class="ExternalClass707E90058C884BA7A9889EBED3821545"><p><strong>Regional Collaboration, Interconnected Urban Centres, Regional Prosperity</strong></p><p>In a rapidly changing world, interconnected urban centres — not just individual municipalities — are where national debates on the future connect and local and regional governments are increasingly recognized as playing a critical role.</p><p>Join Metro Vancouver Chair Greg Moore as he discusses the growing influence of metropolitan centres, the role of local governments in facilitating dialogue between citizens and institutions, and how regional collaboration is driving change in support of a prosperous and sustainable economy.</p><p><a href="/events/community-breakfasts/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Information and registration</a></p></div>	Read more...	breakfast	SummaryBottom
Metro Vancouver television shows	http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-29/419/Metro Vancouver television shows	Metro Vancouver television shows	<div class="ExternalClass842E349EF9E54525BDB5E1291F9762AA"><table width="100%" style="background:none;border:0px currentcolor;"><tbody style="background:none;"><tr><td style="width:140px;vertical-align:top;"> <img src="/metroupdate/PublishingImages/TSRLogo.jpg" alt="" /> </td><td style="color:#ffffff;vertical-align:top;"> <strong> <a href="/media-room/video-gallery/the-sustainable-region" target="_blank">The Sustainable Region TV</a></strong> series examines how Metro Vancouver manages growth, protects the environment and delivers vital services to residents of our region. </td></tr><tr><td style="width:140px;vertical-align:top;"> <a href="/media-room/video-gallery/issues/5132306918001" target="_blank"> <img src="/Includes/ChairUpdate/images/TSR-RepairMatters.jpg" alt="" style="width:130px;" /></a></td><td style="color:#ffffff;vertical-align:top;"> <strong> <a href="/media-room/video-gallery/issues/217245533" target="_blank">Repair Matters – ZWC 2016 Innovator Profile</a></strong>: Repair Matters is an initiative to empower and grow the repair community in Vancouver. Participants bring broken electronics, sewing machines, household appliances and toys and try to figure out how to fix them, rather than throw them away.</td></tr><tr><td style="width:140px;vertical-align:top;"> <a href="/media-room/video-gallery/issues/5169144046001" target="_blank"> <img src="/Includes/ChairUpdate/images/TSR-ZWCMarket.jpg" alt="" style="width:130px;" /></a></td><td style="color:#ffffff;vertical-align:top;"> <strong> <a href="/media-room/video-gallery/issues/217245503" target="_blank">Zero Waste Market – ZWC Innovator Profile</a></strong>: The Zero Waste Market offers package-free goods and fresh, local, organic, and ethically sourced products. Customers bring their own containers and bags from home, which avoids packaging that often ends up in the landfill after only a single use.</td></tr><tr><td style="width:140px;vertical-align:top;"> <a href="/media-room/video-gallery/issues/5157920265001" target="_blank"> <img src="/Includes/ChairUpdate/images/TSR-Catalyst.jpg" alt="" style="width:130px;" /></a></td><td style="color:#ffffff;vertical-align:top;"> <strong> <a href="/media-room/video-gallery/issues/217246302" target="_blank">Catalyst Agri Innovations – ZWC 2016 Innovator Profile</a></strong>: The Catalyst Agri Innovations Society uses technological processes to convert animal manure into resources such as cow bedding and fertilizer.</td></tr><tr><td style="width:140px;vertical-align:top;"> <a href="/media-room/video-gallery/issues/5189006219001" target="_blank"> <img src="/Includes/ChairUpdate/images/TSR-ChopValue.jpg" alt="" style="width:130px;" /></a></td><td style="color:#ffffff;vertical-align:top;"> <strong> <a href="/media-room/video-gallery/issues/219773337" target="_blank">ChopValue – ZWC 2016 Innovator Profile</a></strong>: ChopValue Manufacturing designs and creates home decor products from recycled bamboo chopsticks collected at local restaurants. Their tabletop design diverts 4000 chopsticks from landfill.</td></tr><tr><td style="width:140px;vertical-align:top;"> <img src="/metroupdate/PublishingImages/metrocloseup-logo.jpg" alt="" style="width:130px;" /> </td><td style="color:#ffffff;vertical-align:top;"> <strong> <a href="/media-room/video-gallery/metro-vancouver-close-up" target="_blank">Metro Vancouver Close-Up</a></strong> shows how municipalities and community groups are promoting sustainability and shared regional goals. New videos are posted each month. </td></tr><tr><td style="width:140px;vertical-align:top;"> <a href="/media-room/video-gallery/metro-vancouver-close-up/5305800790001" target="_blank"> <img src="/Includes/ChairUpdate/images/MVCU-Reforestation.jpg" alt="" style="width:130px;" /></a></td><td style="color:#ffffff;vertical-align:top;"> <strong> <a href="/media-room/video-gallery/metro-vancouver-close-up/217911303" target="_blank">Urban Reforestation in Delta</a></strong>: In 2014, an aerial survey determined Delta's urban canopy was declining. Delta responded with an urban reforestation plan to plant 5000 trees, increasing the canopy cover to 40%.</td></tr><tr><td style="width:140px;vertical-align:top;"> <a href="/media-room/video-gallery/metro-vancouver-close-up/5305801197001" target="_blank"> <img src="/Includes/ChairUpdate/images/MVCU-UrbanTrail.jpg" alt="" style="width:130px;" /></a></td><td style="color:#ffffff;vertical-align:top;"> <strong> <a href="/media-room/video-gallery/metro-vancouver-close-up/217911169" target="_blank">North Vancouver Urban Trails</a></strong>: Urban trails are part of the City of North Vancouver's efforts to reduce GHGs by getting people out of their cars, especially for short walking or bicycle trips.</td></tr><tr><td style="width:140px;vertical-align:top;"> <a href="/media-room/video-gallery/metro-vancouver-close-up/5305774203001" target="_blank"> <img src="/Includes/ChairUpdate/images/MVCU-RichmondCarbon.jpg" alt="" style="width:130px;" /></a></td><td style="color:#ffffff;vertical-align:top;"> <strong> <a href="/media-room/video-gallery/metro-vancouver-close-up/217911418" target="_blank">Richmond Carbon Market</a></strong>: The City of Richmond has created a Carbon Market program that supports local business and GHG reductions. The Pacific Gateway Hotel is one participant that is finding additional benefits in the process.</td></tr></tbody></table></div>	Read more...	tv	SummaryBottom