Living Sustainably Speaker Series
The Cochrane Environmental Action Committee (CEAC) is excited to present, Living Sustainably, a series of presentations for Cochrane area residents. Topics include electric vehicles, residential solar, reducing water for landscaping, as well as a talk on how to reduce your environmental impact around your home. There will be a talk every month from December to May.
These information sessions are free to attend but registration is required.
Session 01 | Electric Vehicles
What should you consider when you decide to buy an electric vehicle? Should you consider used or new, what should you know about batteries, charging at home and away, trip ranges, and much more.
Speaker: Rajko Pavic from Go Electric Vehicle Corp. headquartered in Calgary. They specialize in finding top value used electric vehicles from across North America.
Date: Saturday, December 3, 2022 | 1 – 3 pm
Location: Curling Club Lounge, 2nd floor at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre
Registration Closed.
Session 02 | Residential Solar 1
Learn about the myths related to solar power – capital costs, rebates, pay back periods and much more.
Speaker: Valerie Atkinson, Residential Business Manager with KCP energy with be joined by others representing a variety of perspectives on residential solar.
Date: Saturday, January 14, 2023 | 1 – 3 pm
Location: Earth Studio, 2nd floor at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre
Registration Closed.
Town of Cochrane Solar Resources:
Quick Reference – Land Use Bylaw Solar Regulations
Safety Codes – Town of Cochrane Solar Guidelines
Homeowners Electrical Guide – Town of Cochrane
Session 03 | Residential Solar 2
Due to requests from participants at our first residential solar session, we will be continuing the conversation with a second session. There are many misconceptions related to solar power – capital costs, rebates, pay back periods and more – learn the facts about what you need to know if you’re considering solar for your home.
Speaker: Valerie Atkinson, Residential Business Manager with KCP energy will be back for round two! With 8 years of experience in the solar industry, Valerie will share her personal experience with multiple residential installations to provide more detail on the topics included with the first presentation.
Date: Saturday, February 18, 2023 | 1:00 pm
Location: Frank Wills Memorial Hall (405 – 1st Street East)
Registration Closed.
Session 04 | Grow Your Own Food
In the fourth Sustainable Living session we will explore three topics with three speakers; each will share their local gardening knowledge to provide participants with the basics they need to start growing their own food.
Vegetable Growing Basics – Part 1: if you’re new at gardening or, looking for assistance in growing a garden in the challenging Cochrane environment, Andrea Blonsky, President of Cochrane Community Gardens Society will provide tips and advice.
Food Forests – Part 1: Discover how you can turn a bare plot of land into a garden filled with food and beauty! Callandra Caufield, founder of Backyard Harvest Project will inspire you to create your own urban garden space.
Growing Under Cover – Part 1: Explore options for extending your gardening season – there are many ways to grow under cover that are less expensive than green houses! Carrie Corbin with Cultivate Cochrane will talk about the benefits of growing under cover in a short growing season.
Members of the Cochrane and District Horticultural Society will also be present to provide information about their organization and answer questions.
NOTE: This Session will be the first of two – the discussion will be continued at a second session on April 15th, hosted by Cultivate Cochrane. Details to be provided.
Date: Saturday, March 18, 2023 | 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Location: Frank Wills Memorial Hall (405 – 1st Street East)
Registration Closed.
Session 05 | Water Wise Landscaping
In the fifth and final Sustainable Living session of this series, we will explore two topics – how to create a yard that thrives in our climate with less water and, how to manage rain water.
Join veteran Calgary landscaper, founder of Eco-yards, and author, Laureen Rama to learn how to make your yard more water-wise. Laureen will talk about ways to make your lawn less thirsty, replace your grass, manage rain water, and choose plants that use less water.
Colleen Cyca, permaculture designer, will be sharing her knowledge on how to get the best results from your rain barrels using the ‘rainwater treatment train’ during her presentation on Rainwater Harvesting for your Gardens.
Date: Saturday, April 29, 2023 | 1:00 pm
Location: Frank Wills Memorial Hall (405 – 1st Street East)
Registration Closed.
