Town of Blue Mountains

• Families Go Green for Blue program continues
• We are reviewing the draft TBM Official Plan
• We are supporting the youth initiative for planting a Tiny Forest

Clearview Sustainability Network (CSN):

• CSN is continuing to work on GDS efforts for Township and regionally
• CSN held a gathering on October 20th
• CSN will be holding a symposium on boulevard habitat gardens

Earth Day Grey Bruce 25 – Building Green Communities

• Date: Undecided, April 26 or May 10, 17.
• Again on 1 st Ave West between Library and St Andrew’s Church
• Collaborate with TOM, Library, St Andrew’s Church and community groupsFocus on Youth, including YCAC 3.0 presentations, art, music, dance
• Include Green education, work and employment opportunities in areas of environment and climate change for (high school)students. Workshop presentations.
• Climate Art Installations along 1 st Ave West (possibly in collaboration with the TOM)
• Tiny House display
• Design with Nature Design with Lego – Project https://christinehempel.com/Research/LEGOProject/
• Youth Bands Parade
• Poster Contest for students

Earth Works, West Grey:

• EW had a booth at the Herb Fair in Durham in early June
• We participated in a bioblitz survey in June for the coalition fighting the gravel pits that are proposed for the floodland areas around the Saugeen River near Allan Park
• Held our first successful Repair Café on Saturday September 14^th.  There were 6 volunteer fixers and 6 supporting volunteers.  Another fixer walked in partway through.  Twenty people brought in items and most were fixed successfully.  The next Repair café is scheduled for March 15^th.
• We will be giving talks on climate actions that individuals can do on October 10^th at the library and February 17^th at Grace United Church Hanover, the Saugeen Nature meeting,
• We will be actively reviewing and commenting on the draft Green Development Standards in October, and taking a delegation to council supporting the GDS in December or January.
• We are looking at ways to involve local youth in climate action

Georgian Bluffs Climate Action Team: 

• The Repair cafe is going incredibly well; it went right through summer. Good volunteer appreciation. The event is supported by the municipality
• The Green Homes Tour was very successful and will be repeated next year
• GBCAT members are endorsing the work of the Green Burial working group
• Georgian Bluffs has hired an Environmental/ Climate Officer
• Members are working on a meeting with Rick Byers about the importance of electrification and how this can be done
• Members are vlooking at influencing the Flato developers to focus on greener development
• The first EV charging station has been installed on a municipal property

Grey Highlands Climate Action Team:

• We have partnered with the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority, the Flesherton Legion and Ontario Flora to naturalize the gardens surrounding the Eugenia Falls Cenotaph. Only native species will be planted. The work to install the garden is done by volunteers. We all hope that the garden will provide an example to visitors who will be encouraged to integrate native species in their own gardens.  Learn more and donate to the project here. 

Meaford

• Repair Cafes are held on the second Saturday of each month from 9 am – 12 pm in the Parish Hall at Christ Church Anglican. There is free coffee, plus plenty of people to help repair electronics, small appliances, and clothing!
• Transition Meaford has partnered with Polinate The Blue Mountain and Owen Sound to create a website for collaboration and sharing resources.
• Meaford Community Gardens had a very busy and successful Summer and continues to discuss and plan for its relocation.
• We partnered with Collingwood CAT and Meaford Public Library to host Climate Cafes in April and May.
• We are represented on the Ensuring Sustainability Advisory Committee to Council. The Committee meetings are open to the public and can be viewed on the Council Youtube channel. Public input is welcomed. The ESAC meets every other month.

North Bruce Peninsula Climate Action Committee:

• NBPCAC has persuaded the municipality to do building energy audits. 
• NBPCAC is focussing on initiatives to communicate with the public about heat pumps and EVs.  There is no natural gas available in North Bruce so heat pumps are a logical alternative.  At least 150 homes heated by heat pumps.  We are happy to join in any advocacy for heat pumps across Grey and Bruce Counties. 
• NBPCAC plans to support the Youth Conference.

Owen Sound CAT: 

• Pollinator Gardens: Saturday September 7 was the grand opening of our new Pollinator Habitat, a joint project of the Open Team and Pollinate Owen Sound. Heritage Mall continues to develop pollinator gardens as part of their own initiative.
• Schools: CATOS is presently (re) connecting with elementary schools on developing ECO teams.
• CATOS plans to take the lead on Climate Action in Owen Sound: We plan to organize an event that will inspire the City of Owen Sound to move forward on concrete climate action. Joachim will contact Mayor of Blue Mountain Andrea Matrosovs to set up discussion on Climate Action and Collaboration with all levels of governments.
• View that CBC interview with Andrea Matrosovs post COP28 here: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live- radio/1-112-ontario-morning/clip/16029115-mayor-andrea-matrosovs-returns-cop-28
• Youth Climate Action Conference: November 7, 2024, at Harmony Centre. We will be supporting the Conference. More volunteers are needed for the day of the event.
• Eco Libraries: The Harmony Centre has a lot of books on environment and sustainability, and it would be great if they were made easily available in a library format at the HC.
• It was suggested that we approach the Public Library to discuss with them the possibility of developing a specific section on climate and environment. Barrie and Brian will follow through on these book projects.
• Suggestion: we (Owen Sound) join Green Economy Canada together with Sustainability Project https://greeneconomy.ca/
• Next CATOS meeting Date: November 11, 7:00 pm, 2024 at Harmony Centre