Refocusing for Greater Impact: Squamish CAN’s Commitment to Food Systems and Zero Waste
Since establishing our non-profit in 2009, we’ve empowered Squamish residents to take meaningful steps toward energy efficiency and sustainable transportation. Through our Energy and Active Transportation pillar, we’ve strived to educate the community and inspire action to reduce personal energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions - at the end of this post we’ve listed a few of the fun times we shared in this pillar of our work.
The climate action landscape has evolved over the past 15 years to include more involvement from nonprofits and governments who have implemented robust climate programs and policies addressing energy and transportation needs, reducing the need for Squamish CAN to focus on this area. In the meantime, Squamish CAN has gained strength and momentum in the areas of Food Systems and Zero Waste which directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting waste from landfills and creating local food sources, which also cuts down emissions from long-distance food transport. Food Systems and Zero Waste projects provide practical, hands-on learning opportunities for Squamish residents to increase their understanding and agency to improve human and environmental health.
Producing local food reduces the impact from the transportation of food produced in other areas of the world. Education around food production, and food waste and the impacts to soil quality, human and environmental health, and lower food transportation emissions, have increased awareness and understanding in the most recent generation of Squamish residents.
Growing food locally reduces transportation emissions and our school farm teaches the next generation to have a strong relationship with food.
Nina LaFlamme photography
Current Status in Energy & Transportation:
In recent years, the Province of BC, the District of Squamish and other non-profits have significantly expanded their energy and active transportation work.
The government now oversees various initiatives, including active transportation planning (expanded and improved bike lanes), EV infrastructure development and broader sustainability goals aligned with the CleanBC plan (BC’s provincial climate action plan). With dedicated roles and comprehensive plans to tackle local energy and transportation challenges, the District of Squamish is well-positioned to carry forward these initiatives with greater resources and long-term stability.
At the same time, other community groups have emerged, contributing to Squamish's evolving active transportation landscape. As an example, OurSquamish has built bike shelters and added bike parking racks, as well as running a well-utilized bike valet program which helps thousands of bikers on a typical summer weekend. The Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association has helped host multiple events here in Squamish (alongside Squamish CAN and the District of Squamish), to encourage the adoption of cleaner fueled vehicles. These organizations, in collaboration with the District of Squamish, are helping to empower Squamish residents to reduce their energy usage and travel more sustainably.
2022 E-Vehicle Expo
Our Ongoing Role:
This shift allows us to focus more heavily on our other two pillars: Food Systems and Zero Waste. Both of these areas directly contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For example, our work on Food Systems helps to reduce methane emissions from food waste by diverting organic waste from landfills and promoting local food production, which also cuts down on transportation-related emissions. Similarly, our Zero Waste initiatives aim to minimize waste, reduce pollution, and educate the community on sustainable consumption habits. Focusing on our strengths in these areas will allow our work to be more effective.
While we are stepping back from leading activities like EV Expos, GoByBike Week, and community energy workshops, our non-profit will continue to play a supporting role in Energy and Active Transportation initiatives. We will actively promote these initiatives through social media, raise awareness of their importance, and continue to engage with the community to amplify these efforts.
Join Us on the Journey
As we celebrate this transition, we encourage you to stay involved in these important programs:
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We invite you to join our membership and support our climate action work as an individual, a family, or a corporate membership!
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Follow our social media channels to stay informed, join us for upcoming events, and continue making sustainable choices in your daily lives.
Your support helps us drive impactful, community-led solutions for a sustainable future. Together, alongside the District of Squamish and our community partners, we are building a greener, more resilient future for all.
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OurSquamish https://www.oursquamish.ca/
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BEST (Better Environmentally Sound Transportation), in Vancouver (https://www.best.bc.ca/)
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HUB Cycling, also in Vancouver (https://bikehub.ca/about-us/hub-cycling)
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SPEC (Society Promoting Environmental Conservation) https://spec.bc.ca/
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VEVA (Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association) https://www.veva.ca/
A Look Back: Our Work in Energy and Active Transportation
Over the years, we’ve led numerous initiatives to reduce fossil fuel dependence and promote active, sustainable transportation.
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Workshops, Community Talks and Webinars:
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June, 2018: Bioenergy and Wood Biomass - Innovation for Squamish
Panelists Speakers
* Luisa Burhenne - Renewable Energy Strategist; Researcher, Clean Energy Research Centre, UBC
* Eric Andersen - Forest industry consultant; Co-champion, “Biomass Innovation Park for Squamish”
* Moderator: Professor Ian Picketts, Quest University -
January 16, 2019: Energy: How to Cut Usage and Save Money – participants gained insights into making their homes more energy-efficient.
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March 11, 2019: The Future of Electric Vehicles – panel discussion between experts about the emerging trends in electric vehicle technology.
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September, 2019: Cycling Infrastructure Community Engagement Event - A community engagement event was held during Fall 2019 to help us understand what the main impediments and enablers are to cycling in Squamish. We identified key points within the community where infrastructure is well designed and where it needs improvement.
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June 9, 2021: Electric vehicles in the Sea to Sky: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - A panel discussion including what to look for if you're considering buying an EV, the challenges of owning & using one, and more. We discussed financial incentives, different vehicles available and their features and how weather affects electric vehicles locally.
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April 5, 2022: How to Calculate Your Carbon Footprint – participants learned practical tools to measure and reduce their household’s carbon footprint.
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June 9, 2021: Electric Vehicles in the Sea to Sky: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly – panel discussion covering the challenges and benefits of EV ownership.
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Here are some spotlights from our work over the years:
Camp Summit Veggie Oil Bus Conversion
Squamish CAN partnered with Camp Summit to switch their diesel 24 passenger bus to run off locally-collected veggie oil. Squamish CAN used this bus to run various engagement opportunities within the region, which include urban farms and passive home tours
2013
Eco Home Hop
This event featured seven eco-friendly homes, showcasing energy-efficient features like advanced insulation, passive solar heating, and sustainable materials. The event attracted residents from across Squamish, highlighting the possibilities of energy-efficient living.
2014
Commuter Rail Support
We have also supported, and continue to support efforts (such as this future transit plan) to improve the local transportation network, including advocating for commuter rail to reduce vehicle dependency and emissions.
2015
Squamish Green Business Award
In partnership with local businesses, we recognized environmentally conscious companies that integrated sustainable practices into their operations. In 2015, a local distillery was honored for its green initiatives.
2015
GoByBike Week
In partnership with the District of Squamish and GoByBike BC, we have proudly hosted GoByBike Week, encouraging thousands of residents to embrace cycling as a sustainable mode of transportation.
Annually
EV Expos
Supporting organisation of five expos to increase awareness of zero-emissions electric vehicles, their benefits and available incentives. Residents could see a variety of EV models and learn about charging infrastructure.
2022-2024
What started as one e-vehicle event has blossomed into a series of events raising awareness, and sharing test drives, of electric vehicles and electric bikes (e-bikes) run by the District of Squamish. A year later, Squamish was recognized as one of the communities who fastest adopt electric vehicles. (“According to Statistics Canada registration data for new zero-emission vehicles, the Squamish Census Metropolitan Area had the highest adoption rate in Canada in 2021 for ZEVs, at 6.9 per 1,000 people.” source)
Additional Highlights
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The District of Squamish has, since 2009, grown its energy and active transportation work, through different initiatives, creating roles specifically dedicated to these areas and developing plans to tackle some of the large issues impacting Squamish in these areas.
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Since we began our work. additional community groups have emerged that are dedicated to the 'Active Transportation' space and creating a more livable Squamish.
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Squamish CAN’s work in the local food systems and zero waste initiatives has a direct link to reduced GHG emissions through a number of ways. Food waste = Methane emissions:
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When our food end’s up in landfill as waste, the food decays in anaerobic conditions (void of oxygen) due to plastics and other materials piling up on and “suffocating” the food waste, this leads to the production of methane gas.
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When we reduce our food waste ending up in landfill, we allow it to biodegrade in oxygen rich environments, which does not lead to the production of methane gas.
As always, we remain open to your input and support - please get in touch if you
have ideas of how we can work together.
Enabling us to collectively adapt seeds to our Squamish climate, so we will have homegrown varieties that grow well where we live.
Community gardens help us connect to nature, create food security, meet new people, and get involved with growing our own food.
Energy and Transport Resources
