The Changes

Tired of constantly hearing about environmental issues and feeling helpless to do anything about it? Here is a constructive way to direct your energy!

We’re a group of people from all over the Lower Mainland who get together once a month (sometimes more) to help an environmental group, non-profit organization, charity or city tackle an environmental issue that needs co-operation and teamwork to get done. Gloves and tools will be supplied as well as refreshments! If you care about the environment, this is the group for you! All ages welcome!! Some activities will include:

• Pulling invasive plants that are overtaking our native flora
• Planting of native plants/trees
• Restoring areas along a stream, river, marsh or shoreline
• Beach/River/lake clean up
• Harvesting organic fruits/veggies
• Trail building/maintenance
• Restoration of wildlife sites

What will you get out of it? Here are a few things we think you’ll get. You’ll..

• Meet like-minded people
• Feel good getting your hands dirty and being active in something you believe in
• Educate yourself about natural spaces and the environmental problems they face
• Learn first-hand about work being done in the lower mainland by different environmental groups
• Get the experience of a variety of stewardship activities
• Restore a natural space from a damaged state
• Be trained in stewardship practices
• Explore a nature space you may have never been to before
• Realise the benefits of working together with others
• Learn about environmental activities other group members are involved in
• Get physical exercise
• Have fun!

go to http://www.meetup.com/the-lower-mainland-green-team

Native plants are essential to maintain the biodiversity of our native habitats. Invasive plants (which generally have been imported by accident or on purpose) are able to grow rapidly and aggressivley, and are able to crowd out or outcompete native species due to their lack of controls such as disease and predation.

These plants often provide critical food and habitat for native animals, without native plants many animal populations maybe in danger, thus contributing to the decline of both plant and animal biodiversity in our eccosystems.

I TRY to help combat this problem in two ways.

First I am involved in a local stewarship group and spend time removing invasive plants such as Himalayan Blackberry, Scotch Broom, Purple Loosestrife, English Ivy and Morning Glory to name a few.

My Second contribution, is simply my knowledge; I use it to make informed choices about the plants I include in my garden, how I dispose of my garden waste, and of course I frequently share and spread the knowledge among other open minded, environmental citizens.