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Climate change for families
This Saturday, October 29, the second in a series of three family-centered programs, ‘Climate Changes, Housing Dreams,’ will be led by Dave Quinn and hosted upstairs at the Kimberley Public Library from 10-11 a.m.
Last weekend 35 people, ranging in age from toddler to grandparent, came out to the first event, the Stream Trailer, held outside at the Open Gate Garden. While getting their hands dirty in flowing water and sand, the group played like engineers and explored the impacts people, plants and animals have on local water systems. Produced by Mainstreams, the goal of this family series is to explore aspects of our local watershed from different perspectives while having fun connecting as a group.
Climate Changes, Housing Dreams is intended for a wide range of ages to partake together. Starting with a discussion of what climate change is and how it affects us personally, the group will explore adaptation and collectively design future homes and neighborhoods that will cope, and even thrive, with future impacts. From child to adult, this is an opportunity to get creative together, incorporating a variety of perspectives. While all ages are welcome and encouraged to come, this particular session could be challenging for preschoolers to fully engage in. There will be more drawing and discussion than active play.
Many locals know Dave Quinn personally and if not, probably recognize the name. Wearing an impressively long list of hats, including wildlife biologist, teacher, wilderness guide, conservationist, writer and photographer, to name a few, he has built quite a name for himself in the Kootenays and beyond.
As the facilitator this weekend, Dave is guaranteed to lead an engaging group experience. His passion for sustainability and depth of knowledge of our wild backyard will be hard to contain in just an hour. “We are already seeing evidence of climate change locally,” says Quinn, “this is an opportunity to get creative exploring the possibilities and start to plan for further change down the road.”
There will be complimentary refreshments and cookies baked by Erna Jensen of ‘de lights’ to fuel the morning.
Mainstreams has been working on water education in the Kootenays for the past 13 years and is launching a Streamkeeper program in Kimberley after years of successful projects in Cranbrook. The main focus is keeping riparian vegetation healthy in our watershed. Riparian vegetation grows on the banks of creeks and is vital in preventing erosion and retaining water on the land. The riparian is also a prime defense against extreme weather events such as prolonged rainstorms or days of rain on wet snow.
Stay tuned for the third and final in this series, Creature Crafting, a hands-on exploration of macro invertebrates with Patty Kolesnichenko on November 5 at 10 a.m. at the library.
This program is made possible by funding from Columbia Basin Trust with assistance from the Fortis BC Community Investment Fund. With this generous support the program is free.
Registration is recommended. Contact Shannon at (250) 427-7981 or [email protected]
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