On Feb 7th 2011, I decided to take a shot in the dark and started an environmental volunteer group on meetup.com. My goal is to gather volunteers to participate in hands-on stewardship activities in partnership with metro vancouver parks, city parks, charities, non-profits and stewardship groups.

some of the activities 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 volunteers get out of it?

• 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!

Ultimately, the success of this group is contingent on whether people jump aboard and participate. So far (it's March 27th 2011 today) it's been great with 164 members signed up to participate and 3 events are already under our belt (I listed these under "my success stories") I would love for the group to grow.

the change I want to ultimately make is bring people together to enable them to positively impact the environment.

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

Dear friends, if you have ever visited the beautiful Bloedel Conservatory or even just wanted to go sometime, please visit http://friendsofthebloedel.ca to understand why this Vancouver landmark is in danger.

Then write to Mayor Robertson and city council mayorandcouncil@vancouver.ca as they are the only group that can overturn the Vancouver Parks Board's 4-3 decision to close the facility forever this coming March.

Below is the email I sent to city council:

I am writing as a lover of nature and as a concerned Vancouver citizen who appreciates the Bloedel Conservatory as a beautiful and unique place.

Please do not allow this absolute jewel to close. It would be a blow to all of us and a loss to our community. With the Cambie Street construction now over, attendance at the Conservatory will start to rise over the next 5 years and get back to sustainable financial levels. While the Canada Line was a good an necessary addition to the city, it's construction has hurt many businesses along that corridor, including the Conservatory.

Some things are worth more than money, please reconsider and give it time to return as the prominent Vancouver landmark it was only a few short years ago. Some things, once lost, can never be regained.

Sincerely,

Toby Barazzuol - feel free to use this or change it as you see fit.

Despite my drive to help free other living beings from their cages, I myself spend a significant portion of my time inside a box. It doesn't matter that this box is big enough to live, cook, eat, sleep, and even dance in - I want to spend more time outside of it!

I'm not sure what a realistic goal will be - make sure that at least once a week I spend half my daylight hours outside? That sounds about right. Does it matter if it's raining, snowing, hailing, or even perilously hot? I think I can proceed with caution, yes, but I think being outside is paramount. Spending most of life indoors...just isn't fully living!

And it will be even better if I bring someone along! Perhaps we'll start with the two of us, then expand from there! Who wants to go hiking?

I want to spend more of my time outside running in the woods. I spend far too much of my time indoors and it just isnt good for me.