Water surrounds us, sustains us, and keeps the world we live in green and lush.
It is one of our most valuable natural resources and later this month, a series of free events will be held to show the public what they can do to preserve and protect it.
WaterWeeks runs from Sept. 30 to Oct. 20, and the Township and Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) have teamed up with local organizations to help residents explore, learn, and take action to keep their community and the Earth green.
“When it comes to protecting the environment, everybody can make a difference,” said Simon Tremblay of the Township’s Water Resources and Environment department.
“Whether you clean up a stream, plant a tree, or watch a movie, there are many ways for people of all ages and interests to get involved during WaterWeeks.”
Kicking off WaterWeeks is the annual BC Rivers Day Community Festival.
There is no admission fee for the event, which will be held on Sunday, Sept. 30, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Williams Park, 6595 238 St.
More than 30 interactive displays and activity booths will give visitors a chance to build a bird house, take the Green Can Home Tour, speak to a master gardener, become Power Smart, play a life-sized salmon board game, join the circus, and take a “Creek Peek” at juvenile salmon and aquatic bugs.
Performers will provide family entertainment and Dixieland jazz.
Lunch is locally sourced and can be bought at on-site concessions.
Throughout WaterWeeks, events will be held to encourage residents to participate in environmental conservation and take action to protect our community’s watercourses and wildlife habitats.
WaterWeeks Events:
• BC Rivers Day: Sunday, Sept. 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.;
• Wetland Enhancement Project: Thursday, Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.;
• West Creek Wetland Walk — Saturday, Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.;
• Farm Fresh Bus Tour — Saturday, Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.;
• Film Screening — Water on the Table on Wednesday, Oct. 10 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.;
• Voyageur Canoe Paddle — Saturday, Oct. 13 from 9 a.m. 11 a.m.;
• Streamside Clean Up — Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to noon;
• Rain Garden Ramble — Sunday, Oct. 14 from 20:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.;
• Dig in! Tree Planting — Saturday, Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Registration is required for all events, excluding BC Rivers Day. To register, call 604 532 3511 or email waterweeks@tol.ca.
Students can also become more water aware as the Township, in partnership with LEPS, is offering free classroom workshops to elementary and middle schools: Water Wisdom, Our Changing Climate, and A Day Without Water.
The green performance group Dreamrider Theatre has been hired to present the “Keep Cool!” climate change play in local schools and students are encouraged to take part in the Climate Change Showdown.
To register for school events, call LEPS at 604-532-3514 or email education@tol.ca.
Visit tol.ca/waterweeks.