Sustainable Merrickville-Wolford

WE ARE CITIZENS OF MERRICKVILLE-WOLFORD AND AREA WORKING TOGETHER TO CONTRIBUTE TO A SUSTAINABLE, SOCIALLY JUST, LOW-CARBON FUTURE.

What's Happening

• Sustainable Merrickville-Wolford and the Merrickville Public Library are working together to establish a Repair Café. Repair Cafés are free, community-led events where skilled volunteers assist people with fixing broken household items, including small appliances, textiles, electronics, and furniture. The goal is to help to keep items in use and out of the landfill while saving money, strengthening community connections, and sharing knowledge and skills. The concept originated in the Netherlands in 2007 and has since spread to communities worldwide.
  If you have a specialized skill set (for example in electronics, sewing, carpentry, etc.) and are interested in helping out, contact us at info@sustainableMW.org or leave a message with the Merrickville Public Library. We would love to hear from you.
• Merrickville-Wolford is home to many species-at-risk. Back for its fourth year, the ECO Champions Contest challenges youth under 18 to learn about the animals, insects, and plants at risk in our own backyard and consider what we can do to protect them. Contestants can submit reports on individual or group projects that involve the preservation or protection of their chosen species. The deadline for contest submissions is May 24. Check out the ECO Champions website for more information.
• The Reuse Centre at the Merrickville-Wolford Landfill site is open for business. Residents can drop off and/or find used items at the Centre each Saturday morning from 9:00 to 12:00. A list of acceptable donations is available, and volunteers will be at the site to help out.
  If you are interested in getting involved or if you have any general questions, you can contact us at info@sustainableMW.org.
  You can also check out the Rideau Environmental Action League REAL Deal Reuse Store and Environment Centre in Smiths Falls.
• The Merrickville Seed Library is open and well stocked with a variety of free vegetable, herb, and flower seeds, as well as native wildflower seeds to attract pollinators. Whether you are looking for seeds to plant, have seeds to donate, or just want more information, be sure to check it out. The Seed Library is located in the Public Library and is available to everyone.
  We would like to extend a huge thank you to all the local gardeners and farmers who donated seeds, as well as to Ritchie Feed & Seed, West Coast Seeds, and the Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library for their seed donations. We also greatly appreciate all the cash donations that we used to purchase hard-to-harvest seeds and basic supplies.
• Do you have something extra to share? Why not donate it to the Merrickville Food Cupboard? The Food Cupboard helps individuals and families in our community when they need it. Non-perishable items and financial contributions are always welcome. Click here for more information on how to donate.
• People throughout the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville and Lanark County are working together to create a food system that nourishes everyone. Check out the FoodcoreLGL website for links to the updated Food Charter, a local food inventory, and other useful resources.

Want to learn more? Subscribe to our email list, contact us at info@sustainableMW.org or check out our Facebook page for the latest information.

In the News

• For the latest national and international news, check out The Energy Mix - a great source of articles on climate change, energy, and carbon-free futures.
• The CBC's What on Earth is another great source of environmental news - free weekly e-newsletter or podcast subsciptions are available.
• If you want to know more about what's going on in eastern Ontario, Climate Legacy, which focuses on engaging and mobilizing older Canadians in climate action, has compiled a list of climate action groups in our region, along with a corresponding schedule of events.
• Or you may be looking for more positive solution-driven content. If so, some great sources include the BBC series People Fixing the World; Atlas of the Future; Seeds of Good Anthropocenes; Reasons to be Cheerful; Gapminder; Net Zero Tracker; and SolutionsU.

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