©Sea Breeze Media—Steveston Environment Committee garden at Garry Point Park.

he Steveston Environment Committee was set up in February, 1991 as a standing committee associated with the Steveston Community Society. The original committee was chaired by Liz McKenna and the goals of the committee were:

• To set up recycling in the Steveston Community Centre
• To set up and implement a recycling plan for the annual Steveston Salmon Festival on July 1st
• To help with educating the community about recycling

Since then, the Committee has been collecting recyclable cans and bottles at the Community Centre, and has used the profits from this endeavour to finance projects and materials to keep Steveston beautiful. For the past 5 years, the Committee has also taken on the care and maintenance of the community garden at Garry Point Park.

Spotlight on the Environment

The Committee has also been in charge of recycling and waste management at the annual Steveston Salmon Festival. Our efforts have focused on the following areas:

• Supplying and washing 1500+ plates for the traditional salmon bake
• Collecting recyclable materials (cans, glass containers, cardboard)
• General grounds clean-up

With generous grants from Vancouver City Savings Credit Union, Canada Trust Friends of the Environment Foundation and the Shell Environmental Fund, the Steveston Environment

©Sea Breeze Media—SCS Steveston Environment Committee garden at Garry Point Park.

Committee has purchased 2000 dinner plates, a commercial dishwasher, a supply of metal knives, forks and spoons, mugs and bread and butter or dessert plates. The dishes are available to be rented out for private and community functions. To view or print our rental flyer, click here.

We have always managed to maintain a core committee of 4 to 6 people, but we have relied on volunteer help from the community on the day of the Salmon Festival. Students interested in community involvement, who attend local high schools, have been invaluable in the implementation of our goals.

In 1997, the Steveston Environment Committee received the Mayor's Environmental Achievement Award.

At present, the committee members are:

• Ann Metcalfe—Rentals: 604.271.4753
• Dianne Milsom—Rentals: 604.271.7523
• Paula Alvaro
• Dave Davis—Webmaster: 604.273.4244