New Westminster Environmental Partners will be holding its first AGM on Tuesday, October 13th in the New Westminster Library auditorium. Registration will begin at 6:30 with the meeting beginning promptly at 7pm.
The topic for the evening’s discussions will centre on the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, and raising awareness about this important international meeting.
“The Copenhagen conference is a pivotal moment in our history where we hope world leaders will set the groundwork for a sustainable future for our planet. That’s why we believe it’s so important to join others around the world in raising awareness about this summit; so residents of New Westminster can join other Canadians in letting our government know we demand immediate, decisive action on climate change,” said NWEP founding member Matthew Laird.
The AGM will feature a keynote by Nobel Peace Prize laureate and SFU Environmental Economics professor Dr. Mark Jaccard.
“We’re very lucky to have someone of Mark’s stature come out and give the keynote at our AGM,” said fellow NWEP founder Andrew Feltham. “Not only is Mark an internationally respected advocate for sustainable development, but he’s also a New Westminster resident.”
The AGM will also feature a question and answer session with Ian Bruce of the David Suzuki Foundation on the topic of climate change and the Copehagan summit.
For three years New Westminster Environmental Partners has been the voice of sustainable living and development in New Westminster. To continue with this agenda NWEP has incorporated as a non-profit society, opening new doors to expand its work.
“Actions taken at the local level which create sustainable and more livable cities are also key to enabling the world to take positive actions towards mitigating the impacts of climate change,” said Feltham.
“What society status allows us to do is apply for grants and better partner with government and NGOs who prefer working with structured organizations rather than loose knit groups,” said Laird.
“In fact one of the first projects we’re using our new society status on is helping the New Westminster Community Garden Initiative apply for grants and establish these gardens before the coming growing season. We’re really proud to continue emphasizing the word Partner in our name, working with numerous groups on new and exciting initiatives.”
The AGM is open to all residents, attendees need not be NWEP members but membership will be available for $5 at the door.
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AGM will be held Tuesday, October 13th, doors open at 6:30pm. The New Westminster Public Library is located at 716 6th Avenue.
Mark Jaccard is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was BC’s Academic of the Year in 2008 and was recently named to the Royal Society of Canada. He will be attending the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit and is currently co-chairing a task force advising the Chinese government.
Abridged list of past NWEP accomplishments:
– Lobbied successfully for anti-idling by-law
– Partnership with Canadian Cancer Society on cosmetic pesticide ban
– Raised New Westminster Station pedestrian safety issues & crosswalk establishment
– Participation in community visioning process, Translink long-range planning, Metro Vancouver planning
– Partnership and support for Royal City Farmer’s Market and Community Garden Initiative
– Organizing New Westminster stop of David Suzuki cross Canada tour
– Three Pillars of Sustainability lecture evening
– Brunette River lecture evening featuring Fin Donnelly
– 2009 Provincial Election All-candidates meeting
– Composting seminar at NW Library
– Established Green Drinks in New Westminster (2nd in Lower Mainland)
– Participation in Shoreline CleanUp, Queensweep, and Sapperton Landing invasive species cleanup
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