Every year on April 22nd, an annual event called Earth Day takes place with a variety of events held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection. This is a day that I am very passionate about and one that I feel is extremely impactful for the future health of our plant. We are so fortunate in Canada to have clean air, land and water and it is so important that we not take it for granted. And it is especially significant this year as we celebrate our great nation’s 150th birthday too!!!
You can participate and help celebrate our Earth Day by doing all sorts of things such as attending events, wearing eco-friendly clothing or providing support to clean water projects and recycling initiatives. I’ve put together a few ways that you can celebrate our planet this Earth Day!!
BC’s largest Earth Day celebration Party for the Planet is happening in Surrey at the Plaza at City Hall. In 2016, approximately 20,000 people attended, that’s a whole lot of love for our planet!! The free, all ages event will feature a full roster of Canadian artists on the Canada 150 stage, including headliner Juno Award-nominated Shawn Hook. There will be activities and entertainment for the whole family including Blink Acro, the annual tree and plant sale, a rock climbing wall, a bike powered smoothie stop, an urban farmers market, a BC Lions autograph session, road hockey, eco-crafts, a variety of local vendors and more. For a complete list of activities and performers, click here.
When: Saturday, April 22nd – 10am to 7pm
Where: The Plaza at City Hall – 13450 104th Ave, Surrey BC
Tickets: FREE event. No tickets required.
Uncorked is Harrison Hot Springs’ three-day destination food and wine event, showcasing the talents of some of BC’s most renowned wineries and local culinary personalities. Two days of tastings, plus wine-makers dinners at local restaurants. What better way to celebrate our planet than by honouring and appreciating the views of the majestic Harrison Lake and mountain vistas with a glass of vino in hand!
When: Saturday and Sunday, April 22 & 23.
Where: Various wineries and restaurants.
Tickets: $45 available online here or in person at the Visitor Centre, 499 Hot Springs Rd. Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 am – 4 pm.
Just in time for Earth Day, Canada’s favourite chocolatier is proud to launch the Clean Water Project Bar, an 85 g milk chocolate and salted butter toffee bar ($6 retail) available across Canada and online.
Purdys has joined forces with the Swiss-based Cocoa Horizons Foundation to help make safe drinking water a reality in Ivory Coast cocoa communities, with $2 from each bar sale going to fund a community development project focused on water filtration technology and training.
36% of the world’s cocoa is supplied from Ivory Coast. It’s not a lack of water but lack of access to clean, safe water that harms communities in Ivory Coast. The campaign only launched a week ago and they’ve already raised enough money to fund 16 water filters (of the campaign goal of 35). Just one single LifeStraw filter provides safe, clean drinking water for up to 60 children for three years. Get involved here: http://www.purdys.com/sustainable/clean-water-project.htm.
Wear-to-Work Sustainable Fashion
Interested in looking the part? An ethical fashion company in Vancouver called Wallis Evera is making waves by bringing hemp into the office with their line of modern women’s workwear. This is a new kind of hemp: sleek and stylish, made in Canada, tailored eco-chic.
Here are some of my favourites to get you started!!
Saskia Culottes in Black Silky ($179): Feminine as a skirt, but with all the practicality of pants. These wide leg culottes are cut from a gorgeously breezy blend of Hemp / Silk / Organic Cotton fabric, and tailored with a centre pleat detail and deep front pockets. Perfectly seasonless, these pants can be dressed up or down with flats, heels or your favourite boots.
Ana Button Down Tunic Shirt in White Silky ($179): Pretty, mandarin collared shirt, the perfect length for tucking in our out. Made from a flowy blend of Hemp/Silk/Organic Cotton gauze fabric, and finished with natural shell buttons. Your new favourite top for work and play.
Ola Shorts in Red ($99): Above the knee culottes with centre pleats in the front and back. Super-cute and office friendly shorts made from an ultra-soft blend of Hemp/Lyocell, custom dyed just for us.
Earth Day Giveaway
You could WIN 2 tickets to the Harrison Uncorked festival and dinner for 2 at Rowena’s Inn on Sunday April, 23rd!!!
We are also giving another JRFM listener the chance to WIN a Purdy’s Clean Water Project Bar. It not only tastes great (it’s milk chocolate and salted butter toffee) but it also supports the purchase of water filtration devices for communities in Ivory Coast.
ALSO included is Purdys’ Gourmet Box, a round-up of lip-smacking foodie favs from the Purdys test kitchen – such as Lemon Blackberry Ganache and Goat Cheese & Chardonnay Truffles!
TO ENTER: Tell us one thing you are going to do to be more environmentally friendly this Earth Day in the comments below for your chance to WIN!!!
Good luck and here’s to our beautiful, wonderful, planet EARTH!!!!
Natalie xx
Contest is now closed .. congratulations to Hugh and Katrina!
**Contest Rules & Regulations**
The winner agrees to abide by the rules and regulations outlined here http://www.jrfm.com/contestrules/ for pick up at #300-1401 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V6H 1C9. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm.
All prizes must be claimed within 60 days at the offices of CJJR-FM and are non-transferable. After 60 days, prize becomes the property of CJJR-FM, to do with as it may determine, including awarding it to another contestant, and CJJR-FM shall be released and discharged from any liability or responsibility in this regard.
Only ONE member of the household will be eligible to qualify or win in any single Contest.
By entering the Contest, all persons are deemed to have read and to have accepted these rules and regulations.