For the next two weeks, GreenUP will be highlighting voices from both GreenUP staff and Green Economy Peterborough members in the form of “Green Wishes.”
Alongside the Green Wishes of our staff, we have added Green New Year’s Actions.
We hope you count our actions among your other inspiring and achievable resolutions that will GreenUP the year ahead.
Tegan Moss, GreenUP Executive Director
“My Green Wish is for the success of our community in taking the practical steps that will allow us to reach our climate change goals.”
“I wish the City of Peterborough, County of Peterborough, and our surrounding townships success in implementing the Climate Change Action Plans. I wish many businesses success in completing a carbon inventory and making an action plan for emissions reductions. I wish many homeowners success in insulating and draft-proofing their homes and moving toward comfort and home electrification. I wish many youth success in learning about diverse ecosystems, climate change, and leadership.”
“I wish that everyone in our community might deepen their love of nature and find new success in taking sustainable action both great and small!”
New Year’s Resolution
Take a friend or family member for a nature appreciation walk in Ecology Park (or another of your favorite naturalized spaces) and name as many animals, trees, and plants as you can.
Jessica Todd, GreenUP Communications and Store & Resource Centre Associate
“My Green Wish for 2023 is that we are all a little more mindful of the waste we create. I hope we find new ways to reduce our ecological footprint, such as using less plastic, eating less meat, and supporting our local shops and farmers.”
New Year’s Resolution
Make the switch away from products packaged in single-use plastic like shampoo and laundry soap. Choose refillable containers or products with plastic free packaging like those available at the GreenUP Store at 378 Aylmer!
Eileen Kimmett, GreenUP Store & Resource Centre Manager
“My Green Wish is for the GreenUP Store & Resource Centre to showcase and offer products that are not only sustainable, ethically made, and eco-friendly — but also teach about local knowledge. The products could be a tea, a candle, a salve, art, and they would teach us to respect, help, and nurture our planet.”
New Year’s Resolution
Support skilled local Indigenous makers and learn a few words of Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe).
Hayley Goodchild, GreenUP Program Coordinator
“My Green Wish is for a tree or a rain garden (or both) to be on every lawn in Peterborough/Nogojiwanong.”
New Year’s Resolution
Start designing your rain garden and apply for the City of Peterborough’s rain garden subsidy program. Then sign up for the self-directed Green Communities Canada’s Rain Garden Master Class.
Catriona Sinclair, GreenUP Program Coordinator
“My Green Wish is for there to be many more homeowners and community members that register for the new Home Energy Efficiency Rebate Plus Program, launching in January 2023, a partnership between Enbridge Gas and Canada’s Greener Homes Grant. Through this program, current Enbridge Gas customers can receive up to $10,000 in rebates towards eligible retrofits.”
New Year’s Resolution
Stop pesky drafts that leak heat! Then plan to decarbonize your home.
Lili Paradi, GreenUP Communications Manager
“In 2023, my Green Wish is that new residents to Peterborough/Nogojiwanong are introduced to and connect with their urban environment. I hope to see new partnerships, in-person storytelling opportunities, and local voices in the news, social media, and events that encourage environmental action.”
New Year’s Resolution
Attend the ReFrame Film Festival between January 26th and February 3rd. Check out at least one film about an environmental issue that matters to you and one film by a local director or about a local issue.
Karen O’Krafka, GreenUP Program Coordinator
“My wish is for a joyful return to a live Peterborough Children’s Water Festival at the zoo in May 2023! I’m thrilled to bring Grade 2 to 5 students, high school activity leaders, local water heroes and community volunteers from Nogojiwanong and beyond for two days of immersive water education.”
“A wish for Ecology Park is for children of all ages to joyfully explore and build their skills on our new naturalized playscape in all seasons.”
New Year’s Resolution
Take your family or loved ones to Ecology Park, located at 1899 Ashburnham Dr and check out the new naturalized playscape!
Ashley Burnie, GreenUP Program Coordinator
“My Green Wish is that more kids have a safe and fun active commute to school! We want all young people to enjoy their trip to school whether it’s a walk, roll, bike ride, or park n’ stride (parking the car and walking the rest of the way).”
New Year’s Resolution
If you are able to, walk, roll, or ride to school/work/play at least twice in each season of 2023.
Natalie Stephenson, GreenUP Director of Programs
“I hope that in 2023, we can make big strides toward replanting our urban forest!”
New Year’s Resolution
Plant a tree on your lawn or boulevard! Visit the GreenUP Native Plant and Tree Nursery at 1899 Ashburnham Dr during the gardening season to pick the perfect species.
