| Air quality levels unprecedented across Metro Vancouver | http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-35/510/Air quality levels unprecedented across Metro Vancouver | Air quality levels unprecedented across Metro Vancouver | <div class="ExternalClass5631BBDF67C947F9B53AD3E7E5DB5D07"><p>Metro Vancouver faced one of its worst summers in terms of air quality in 2017, as heavy smoke from the wildfires raging in B.C. and the northwest U.S. drifted across the region. Five air quality advisories were issued this summer, with an unprecedented 19 days under advisory. The longest advisory period was from August 1-12, with elevated levels of fine particulate matter and intermittent spikes of high ground-level ozone.</p></div> | http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue35-aq.jpg | Read more... | | Full | Smoke over Metro Vancouver (Credit: NASA’s Terra satellite) |
| Homeless numbers continue to surge across the region | http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-35/511/Homeless numbers continue to surge across the region | Homeless numbers continue to surge across the region | <div class="ExternalClassB035BE9414A1459ABCA68683C67EE7C4"><p>Metro Vancouver's affordability crisis is having a marked effect on homelessness across the region, with half the region's homeless population saying they had lived here for 10 years or more before finding themselves living on the streets or in shelters, according to a final report of the 2017 Homeless Count The high cost of rent, followed by lack of income and the inability to find suitable housing was cited by about 50 per cent of 3,605 homeless surveyed in the count, conducted overnight on March 7 and 8. </p></div> | http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue35-homelesscount.jpg | Read more... | | Full | |
| A future without waste – conference boosts circular economy | http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-35/512/A future without waste – conference boosts circular economy | A future without waste – conference boosts circular economy | <div class="ExternalClassA5EB658E997C4777B5D4F4677B13AFC3"><p>Retired NASA astronaut Dr. Cady Coleman will be the keynote speaker at this year's Zero Waste Conference on Nov. 1 in Vancouver. This year's conference will present important insights into how we adapt and set the course for a circular economy in Canada, and will feature five key areas of innovation:
<em>plastics, textiles, food, circular cities and business innovation. </em>Tristam Stuart, a National Geographic "emerging explore," and founder of Toast Ale -- a beer made using fresh, surplus bread – will be the afternoon keynote speaker at the conference.</p></div> | http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue35-zwc.jpg | Read more... | | Full | |
| A night to remember at Metro Vancouver Regional Parks | http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-35/513/A night to remember at Metro Vancouver Regional Parks | A night to remember at Metro Vancouver Regional Parks | <div class="ExternalClassD5867A45439B4EEB85CD7BED566C624A"><p>Metro Vancouver Regional Parks offers visitors an exciting experience: to walk their favourite trails after dark. The next nocturnal event,
<em>Flashlight Mysteries,</em> is slated for Saturday, October 14, at Surrey Bend Regional Park. Created as part of our 50<sup>th</sup> Anniversary celebration,
<em>Flashlight Mysteries </em>offers a free, safe opportunity for all ages to explore the park after dark and learn about the local wildlife. </p></div> | http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue35-parks.jpg | Read more... | | Full | Park Interpretation Specialist Vanessa Lee shares the wonders of frogs with children at the annual Starry Night event at Deas Island Regional Park in Delta. |
| Metro Vancouver tackles grease, ‘fatbergs’ in sewer system | http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-35/514/Metro Vancouver tackles grease, ‘fatbergs’ in sewer system | Metro Vancouver tackles grease, ‘fatbergs’ in sewer system | <div class="ExternalClass2C99671043E14C95A2697507FD3DB471"><p>Metro Vancouver is asking residents to put cooking grease in their green bins instead of down the drains as part of its "Wipe It, Green Bin It" campaign, this Thanksgiving. A small amount of cooking grease down the drain can result in 'fatbergs' – giants blobs of grease, wipes and other 'unflushables' – that block sewers and sewage overflows into homes, businesses and the environment. As a region, Metro Vancouver spends $2 million every year to deal with grease issues in its wastewater system.</p></div> | http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue35-wipeit-greenbinit.jpg | Read more... | | Full | |
| Regional grants showcase ‘cultural mosaic’ across Metro Vancouver | http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-35/521/Regional grants showcase ‘cultural mosaic’ across Metro Vancouver | Regional grants showcase ‘cultural mosaic’ across Metro Vancouver | <div class="ExternalClass5F7C18C0A8B64AB7BD3FF5E06D887031"><p>Metro Vancouver awarded $110,000 in Regional Project Grants this year to more than 30 arts and culture organizations across the region. The grants are aimed at helping organizations produce new cultural programs, reach new audiences, and cover staffing and administrative needs, up to a maximum of $10,000. The Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra, Richmond Gateway Theatre Society, Langley Community Chorus, Peninsula Productions Society and Port Moody Ecological Society were the among the grant recipients.</p></div> | http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue35-culture.jpg | Read more... | | Full | Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra is among 30 organizations to receive a grant from Metro Vancouver |
| Review of Development Cost Charge Program winds down | http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/issue-35/515/Review of Development Cost Charge Program winds down | Review of Development Cost Charge Program winds down | <div class="ExternalClass684A8FC6D15C4EB89C437B33C57D54AD"><p>Metro Vancouver will wrap up the public consultations next month on its proposed Development Cost Charge (DCC) program rate changes, which are aimed at expanding liquid waste infrastructure to serve the growing population. Two consultations are slated for Fraser (North) on Monday, October 2 at the Anvil Centre in New Westminster and Lulu on October 3 at the Executive Airport Plaza Hotel Richmond. A webinar is also scheduled for October 4.</p></div> | http://www.metrovancouver.org/metroupdate/PublishingImages/issue35-lulu.jpg | Read more... | | Full | Lulu Island Wastewater Treatment Plant |
