June 12, 2017 - The 2016 EarthCare Annual Report was presented to City Council on Monday, June 5, and is now available online for the public. This Report showcases the multitude of actions that are helping to shape a more sustainable community.

"The EarthCare Annual Report highlights the amazing work City Administration and our community partners are working together on to support the City's 2015-2018 Corporate Strategic Plan, Becoming Our Best," said Rena Viehbeck, Acting Sustainability Coordinator. "EarthCare is continuing its efforts to secure the environmental health of our region, and thereby improve the social and economic well-being, as well as providing leadership in climate change adaptation."

The Annual Report highlights projects and progress areas from 2016, including:

  • Hosted a series of Strong Community Events to bring specific focus on the importance of building communities that are financially stable over the long term, the need to intensify growth, and the importance of increasing value for people in the city's neighbourhoods 
  • Increased community engagement through social media and events
  • Decrease in the overall GHG emissions for the Corporation to 7.4 per cent below 2009 baseline levels
  • A collaborative Photovoice project was produced to communicate the impacts of climate change to the community. The Photovoice project was completed in the Fall of 2016 and the exhibit will continue to be displayed in 2017 at various locations
  • City raised its total percent spent on local and regional foods to 38 per cent
  • 903 people successfully completed cycling skills courses 
  • Due to the success of the pilot program, the Curbside Battery Collection Program was added to the City's regular solid waste programming in 2016 and will take place once per year  
  • The Citizen Pruner Program pruned 141 young boulevard trees 
  • 19 Rain Garden Rebates were utilized and 516 fully equipped rain barrels were sold to capture runoff and conserve water

"I am proud of what we have achieved in 2016 and the continued leadership the City has made in investing in climate ready infrastructure such as Low-Impact Developments that naturally manage our stormwater," said Councillor Andrew Foulds, Chair of the EarthCare Advisory Committee. "Recent events highlight the importance of looking at all our systems with a sustainability lens."

Many thanks go out to City Council, Administration, Working Group Chairs and all of the EarthCare members and partners for their work and dedication over this past year.

To learn more about EarthCare and to view the report, visit: www.thunderbay.ca/earthcare

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Contact:      
Councillor Andrew Foulds, Chair EarthCare Advisory Committee, 766-9914
Rena Viehbeck, Climate Adaptation Coordinate and Acting Sustainability Coordinator, 632-6122