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York Region Environmental Alliance Finding solutions for community sustainability
2014
Annual Report
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YORK REGION ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE WHO WE ARE
Formed in 1999 to initially campaign against the cosmetic use of pesticides, the York Region Environmental Alliance (YREA), a non-‐profit, registered charitable organization, has continually expanded its mandate to address ecological issues that impact our health and the health of our environment. We reach thousands of people annually in York Region, the Greater Toronto Area and beyond, through community events, workshops, seminars, e-‐news and our website.
The York Region Environmental Alliance is governed by a volunteer board of directors and is administered by part-‐time staff and volunteers.
2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Susan Sigrist, Chairperson Sharon Bradley, Secretary Sylvia Bowman, ON rep
Mike O’Hara Peter Secord
Peter Simmonds
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Gloria Marsh, E.D. & Biochar Field Trial Coordinator Patty Ella, Accountant, PME Management Solutions
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BIOCHAR UPDATE
We have completed first year, soil, root and tissue sampling and lab analysis of urban trees in our Markham and Vaughan biochar study areas. This will form the baseline from which to assess soil microbial changes, benefits and tree health as we continue sampling and monitoring in 2015 & 2016. We have committed to a final, year 3, growing season for 2015 in our agricultural trials. Many research projects span a 5-‐8 year period, but with studies already completed the world over, we will have a sufficient body of statistics to proceed with our biochar social enterprise plans.
Some current findings include: • Bartlett Tree Experts' recent research concludes that biochar can reduce tree stress from
transplanting and drought. Read more… • STUDY: BIOCHAR ALTERS WATER FLOW TO IMPROVE SAND AND CLAY -‐ Rice University's research
shines light on soil additive’s seemingly contradictory benefits. Read more…
Our own research work could not take place without the funding support of the JPM Charitable Foundation and the collaboration of York Region Natural Heritage and Forestry, City of Vaughan Environmental Sustainability and University of Guelph Agricultural Research.
HUMBER GATEWAY PARKETTE IN OAK RIDGES OFFICIALLY OPEN
An area of land has been commemorated on the northeast corner of Yonge St. and King Road where the East Humber River begins to channelize as the water flows through a large marsh from Lake Wilcox. There is now a short path to an outlook and kiosk with information on the river and its headwaters, a map of local trails and a bronze plaque celebrating Canadian Heritage River designation for the Humber.
The project was initiated by the Oak Ridges Friends of the Environment (ORFE) with the intention of highlighting this patch of East Humber River shoreline and educating residents and visitors about the role of the marsh as headwaters of the river.
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In partnership with York Region Environmental Alliance (YREA) funding was received from RBC Blue Water Project with full endorsement from the Oak Ridges Royal Bank.
With resources and expertise provided by Richmond Hill and TRCA, we are delighted that the Parkette was officially opened on September 24, 2014.
To highlight what we can all do to maintain our water quality, YREA and ORFE earmarked a portion of the funds towards a brochure entitled CLEAN RIVERS, CLEAN LAKES = CLEAN DRINKING WATER. Read more…
STRENGTH IN PARTNERSHIPS & COLLABORATIONS
Besides our own projects, YREA belongs to a number of organizations that we support owing to our likeminded views and goals. Adding our endorsement and that of other member groups in addressing an issue strengthens the advocacy and submissions made by the initiating party. YREA is a member of the ONTARIO ZERO WASTE COALITION (OZWC) and has strongly denounced incinerating garbage – the smoke and mirrors, 'energy from waste' concept -‐ at the municipal level since 2006. Liz Benneian, Founder of OZWC, on behalf of its 20 member organizations, submitted these prescient recommendations for the development and implementation of an improved waste diversion strategy to the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. We are proud to be one of nearly 100 member groups of ONTARIO CLEAN AIR ALLIANCE (OCAA) that, among other things has campaigned for electricity swapping between Ontario and Quebec. The Province has listened! It is very heartening to have Premier Wynne end electricity separatism. Read more… NORTH GWILLIMBURY FOREST ALLIANCE SUCCEEDS IN ADVOCATING FOR REVISED LSRCA DRAFT POLICY FOR SUBDIVISIONS-‐IN-‐WETLANDS POLICY. Read more… A huge problem in these instances is out-‐dated policies and grandfathered development applications. With three upcoming provincial plan reviews, it is imperative to put policies in place that incorporate stringent environmental standards and put a time limit on grandfathered development applications. Visit http://www.yrea.org and browse ECO NEWS for more articles and full details.
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NEONICOTINOIDS
YREA submitted comments via the Environmental Registry (EBR) to the province as follows:
York Region Environmental Alliance (YREA) strongly supports the Government of Ontario's proposal to reduce the use and sale of neonicotinoids and to develop a Pollinator Health Action Plan to improve the state of pollinators in our province. We urge you to: • Proceed with the plan to reduce the use of neonicotinoids by 80 percent by 2017 • Maintain a broad scope (addressing all pollinators, multiple threats) • Ensure that the necessary support is in place to enable farmers to transition to other means of pest
management (untreated seeds, credible information on the impacts of neonicotinoids, expert government advice and assistance with implementing alternatives)
• Support incentives and recognition programs that promote the preservation and restoration of pollinator habitats
• Invest in research regarding pollinator-‐friendly farming practices and the economic value of supporting pollinators for farmers and their crops
• Plan to move towards a full ban on neonicotinoids and other harmful pesticides
(York Region Environmental Alliance seeks sustainable solutions for the betterment of agricultural and municipal soil management practices through our present research on the efficacy of biochar as a soil amendment and climate change mitigation tool).
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YORK REGION ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
2014 FINANCIAL YEAR END
Government grants 10%
Foundations/Corporations
52%
Donations 38%
Income
Government grants
Foundations/Corporations
Donations
Biochar Field Trial Program 65%
Operations 7%
Biochar Field Trial Coordinator
28%
Expenses Biochar Field Trial Program
Operations
Biochar Field Trial Coordinator
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SINCERE GRATITUDE TO OUR 2014 FUNDERS
A HEARTFELT THANKYOU TO ALL OUR INDIVIDUAL DONORS, AND ESPECIALLY TO THOSE WHO HAVE GENEROUSLY SUSTAINED YREA WITH YEARLY DONATIONS. GUARDIAN $2000 & UP Chris Chopik, Sage Real Estate Gloria Marsh Anonymous
PROTECTOR $1000 -‐ $1999 Cynthia Hyland Marilyn Isaac-‐Stewart
CUSTODIAN $500 -‐ $999
STEWARD $200 -‐ $499 Leslie Atkinson Jack Gibbons Ada Ghilardi Diane Keating Susan Sigrist & Mark Hubbard KEEPER $100 -‐ $199 Karen Armstrong Sharon & Jim Bradley
Martin Chen Terry Knight Jean-‐Paul Morson Debbie Schaefer Deb Schulte
FRIEND $20 -‐ $99 Laura Bowman Sylvia Bowman Mike O'Hara Angela Marsh Liz Morin Michael Moorhouse Miriam Mozes Joanne Nonnekes Katia Picada Diana Piche Peter Secord
We thank the following volunteers who have helped us with our activities or represented YREA at meetings and community events:
Sylvia Bowman, Sharon Bradley, Jim Bradley, Sylvia Halligan, Gloria Marsh, Tanya Marsh, Teresa McCrimmon, Mike O'Hara, Peter Secord, Glenn Shukster, Susan Sigrist.
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LOOKING AHEAD TO 2015
We look forward to continuing our biochar agricultural field trials and analysing research results at the end of this period. Monitoring the urban tree trials will be ongoing for a number of years to come and site visits will be maintained on a regular basis.
What with the ice storm casualties and extended clean up last year, our planned initiation of a forest study of biochar’s efficacy to suppress soil phytotoxins produced by the alien and invasive Garlic Mustard was deferred to 2015.
Discussions are ongoing regarding suitable biochar pyrolysis technology and we will continue to liaise with Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Alberta Biochar Initiative regarding progress on certification and registration of biochar as a soil amendment/additive.
We will carry on our outreach activities at community and agricultural events, raising awareness of the benefits of biochar, industrial hemp, shrinking our ecological footprint and what we can all personally do to reduce our impact on climate change. We will be available to provide stakeholder input during municipal consultations in areas of our concern.
SUSAN SIGRIST GLORIA MARSH
CHAIRPERSON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
YORK REGION ENVIRONMENTAL ALLIANCE
85 DARIOLE DR
RICHMOND HILL ON L4E 3A5
T: 905-660-9782
E: INFO@YREA.ORG
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