Westmount's Healthy City Project prepares for a busy month

“We’re calling the campaign ‘Environment in Mind’” said committee chair Jennifer Patton. “It is now clear that most people realise there are important ecological issues to be addressed. We want to inform and inspire them to take action.”

The month’s activities are being dedicated by the HCP’s environment section to the memory of Rachel Carson — the centenary of the famed ecologist’s birth falls on Sunday, May 27, the day after Family Day.

“Carson’s 1962 book, ‘Silent Spring,’ about the effects of unrestricted pesticide use is regarded as the start of the modern environment movement,” Patton recalled.

The Environment in Mind guest speaker series is being launched with Mulcair’s appearance at an HCP breakfast meeting this Thursday, May 17. Now the NDP’s Quebec spokesman, the former Liberal minister will speak on 'Quebec and the Environment.'

Mayor Karin Marks, who has announced her wish to develop Westmount as a sustainable community, will also participate.

The meeting, which is open to everyone, begins at 8:15 a.m. at Victoria Hall, 4626 Sherbrooke St. West.

Scott McKay, leader of the Quebec Green Party, whose candidates came second in Westmount and NDG in the March provincial election, will be guest speaker on Wednesday, May 30, also at 8:15 a.m. at Victoria Hall. He will speak on the 'Green Economy.'

In addition to his political role, McKay is a scientist specializing in water issues.

At the public breakfast meeting on Thursday, May 24, Melissa Garcia Lamarca, Concordia’s sustainability coordinator, will give an illustrated talk about the transformation taking place in the university.

“Westmounters want to extend their compost collections to kitchen waste,” said Patton. “Its expansion is blocked, however, by the City of Montreal’s tardiness in providing the processing facilities, for which it is responsible.

“The committee is looking at alternatives and is interested in the roof-top composting plant developed by Sustainable Concordia which Melissa will describe.”

More nutritious than spinach

On Family Day, May 26, Westmounters are invited to take part in an unusual contest to ease — in a lighthearted way — any remaining needless concerns about dandelions.

“Many householders now regard seasonal dandelions as an acceptable price to pay for the elimination of pesticides,” said City Environment coordinator Marina Peter.

“Actually, the plants should be welcomed as a tremendous food resource. The are more nutritious than spinach.”

To illustrate this, HCP volunteers have collected recipes for a range of products and are inviting citizens to present their best efforts at Family Day. A leaflet prepared by the Environment Committee, will be available in English and French in City buildings and also by e-mail from mpeter@westmount.org.

Additionally, interested participants will find recipes for muffins, quiches, stir-fries, omelets, salads, even pesto on the internet, using search words 'dandelion' and 'recipes.'

There will be prizes for the best dandelion quiches presented, including one made by a youth 16 years old or under.

Treasures of the blue box

An innovative look at household garbage will demonstrated by volunteer Richard Aylett of Claremont Avenue. He has creative solutions for reducing recycling.

“While it is far better than sending waste to the landfill, more can be done with many things that are recycled,” says Aylett. “In fact, the blue box is without exaggeration a treasure trove of bits and pieces that can be assembled into other things.”

The HCP is sponsoring a Family Day contest to see who can make the most useful, the most innovative, and the most creative items from the contents of their recycling bins

Aylett will be presenting some of his re-used treasures and invites citizens to bring samples of their own.

“Try it yourself,” he challenges. “Poke about in your blue box and see if you can make something. Objects can be made from the paper side or from the plastic/glass side of the box. They can be games, musical instruments, toys, useful household items, flower pots, paper items and more. The only rule is that the raw materials remain recyclable.

Prizes will be awarded. For more information, contact Aylett at 514-486-7686.



Safe surfing, safe gardens

The HCP will also be presenting an updated Safe Surfing Quiz — based on advice for adolescents and others using the internet. The revised quiz, originally compiled by McGill education and computer students, will be offered with an iPod again as a prize

To encourage local residents to garden without synthetic pesticides, there will be prizes for a flowering tree and a set of indigenous perennial plants. There will also be a composter provided by the City of Westmount.

Molly Keith-Anderson will demonstrate environmentally responsible household products available locally.

The whole of Family Day will reflect Westmount’s growing environmental concerns. Patton and Peter have met with Mike Deegan, director of the Sports & Recreation Department, who is responsible for the entire event.

As a result, caterers are being required to present their food in a sustainable manner, and the Public Works Department will provide extra garbage bins, plus special containers for recycling water bottles.

As a result, kiosks selling food are being required to present their food in a sustainable manner, the Public Works Department will provide recycling facilities on the grounds. Participants are being asked to recycle as much as possible and limit the amount of garbage they produce. Also, balloons will be discouraged.

“We are closer to a Green Family Day thanks to these responses,” said Patton.