Our growing community!
One Planet Saanich engages schools, businesses and community groups to create their own One Planet Action Plans. The cohort includes schools, a church, a rowing club, local businesses, developers, community networks and others listed below. The District of Saanich is part of the Greater Victoria Regional District and is an active partner in this initiative. One Planet Saanich was initiated in 2018 as part of a global project that brought together 4 communities (Canada, Denmark, South Africa, UK).
One Planet Saanich brings together 20 organisations, businesses, schools across the District.
Check out everyone’s descriptions – and their websites and Action Plans – below!
A big welcome to our newest participants:
- Victoria Rowing Society
- Urban Thrive
- Supply Victoria (Supply)
-
Macaloney’s Caledonian Distillery
- Oaklands Rise Woonerf
If you’re in Saanich & interested in joining as a participant, connect with Cora for more information and here is the signup form.
Our One Planet Saanich community comes together at events throughout the year and One Planet BC provides support and training to build, implement and measure One Planet Action Plans. We provide:
- Regular Meet-up events to share updates and resources
- One Planet training sessions, where participants can learn how to create their own One Planet Action Plan
- An annual One Planet Student Challenge, where students in Greater Victoria share their ideas on how to bring One Planet Living into our daily lives
- An annual Celebration Event to share our collective successes
- ‘Speed Networking’ events to get advice on specific actions from local resource people
- Lighter Living 28-day Groups for individual action-taking towards sustainability: learn more here
- Support in collecting ‘Impact Metrics’ that will showcase how we are collectively advancing One Planet Living in our community
- And coming soon: the Lighter Footprint App which is a carbon and ecological footprint calculator for individuals
Check out future and past events on our website Events Page – including local events shared by OPS partner Creatively United.
In Saanich, participants can access useful resources as you build out your plan, for example:
- District of Saanich’s One Planet Scan across the 10 Principles.
- The summary report of Saanich’s ecological and carbon footprint analysis for achieving one planet living. Download the summary report PDF here.
- Many more resources can be found on the Take Action Page, organised by the 10 Principles. They include Local to National resources to help build and implement your action plan.
Cora Hallsworth is one of six business leaders in BC recognized for her contributions to Urban Planning and Design on the BIV BC 500 list…for the second year in a row!
One Planet Saanichers Matthias Spalteholz and Heather Coey win Saanich Environmental Awards!
One Planet Saanich featured in a tour for Livable Cities Forum delegates.
Community Organizations
ARTEMIS PLACE SOCIETY
Artemis Place delivers integrated education, counselling and lifeskills support to secondary students, ages 15 and up in a holistic, nurturing school community of about 50 students. It offers a space for young women, all trans youth, and/or young women who are pregnant or parenting. Artemis Place Society has delivered services in the Capital Region since 1971 and in Saanich since 1985.
BESOLAR
Besolar is the largest installer of solar systems in the greater Victoria area. They have been in business for 40 years, as the solar division of Brewis Electric Company. Besolar prides themselves on providing exceptional workmanship, job creation, and reducing GHG emissions. They are excited to be part of the One Planet Saanich community and broader sustainability initiatives in our community.
CAMOSUN COLLEGE
Camosun College’s two campuses, Lansdowne and Interurban, serve approximately 18,500 learners a year in certificate, diploma, bachelor’s degree and continuing education programs. Each year Camosun welcomes over 1,200 Indigenous students from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit groups, and over 2,100 international students from more than 80 countries.
COMMUNITY SOCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL
Community Social Planning Council brings a social lens to planning across BC’s Capital Region. We engage community members and organizations, businesses and government to research social issues and create sustainable solutions. Our recent areas of work include affordable housing, low-barrier employment, youth, social finance, and poverty reduction. We are currently working on a project called “Justice Under Socio-environmental Transition” (JUST) that seeks to understand and challenge the disconnect between efforts to address the climate crisis and efforts to address widening inequality.
CREATIVELY UNITED FOR THE PLANET
The Creatively United for the Planet Society is a non-profit collective that showcases local businesses, organizations, institutions and individuals committed to improving the quality of life in the Captial Region of BC by adhering to One Planet principles. Founded in 2010, and officially incorporated in 2012, Creatively United has brought together more than 10,000 people in the past seven years to celebrate and unite those committed to achieving a more socially just and sustainable world. They have have done so through seven zero-waste sustainability showcases, a variety of community events and talks, collaborative partnerships, a televised video series, a free community information network, resource and social sharing hub, plus through educational programming. CreativelyUnited.org fills a community networking gap that exists at the local level for information, ideas, resources and events that benefit our community as a whole to be found in one location that is easily accessible and free 24/7.
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH OF VICTORIA
The First Unitarian Church of Victoria serves approximately 300 members.Unitarian Universalism (UU) is a progressive faith characterized by a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. While the roots of UU are found in liberal Christianity, congregations include atheists, agnostics, and people from diverse religious backgrounds. Current practice draws wisdom from many sources; members seek inspiration and insight from all major world religions.UUs come together around shared values (not beliefs) and the search for spiritual growth. “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part” is one of several UU values that align with the 10 principles of One Planet Living, the ideological framework for One Planet Saanich.
HALIBURTON FARM
In addition to providing certified organic food for the community, the solely volunteer-run Society is also educating the public by means of collaborative learning partners, workshops, tours, farmstands, wholesale, internships, volunteering days and more.
OAKLANDS RISE WOONERF
The Oaklands Rise Woonerf is a grassroots, volunteer led initiative to protect and enhance a uniquely walkable, sidewalk-free area where pollinator corridors, boulevard gardens, public art and community spirit provide respite and connection, a green lung in a densifying Victoria. Since 2017 we have been adapting the Dutch Woonerf proven to reduce risk of harm on residential streets through shifting from a “thoroughfare” to “living yard” model that builds a sense of belonging among those on and those frequenting the area. Along the way, we are connecting the dots between our activities and the principles of One Planet Living.
POWER TO BE
From hiking and kayaking, to camping and snowshoeing, Power To Be is a non-profit organization that creates access to nature for youth, families, and adults living with cognitive, physical, financial, and social barriers. Founded in 1998, our life-changing programs continue to redefine courage, hope, inclusion, and ability. We run core programs, community programs, and a Wilderness School (a three-year, inclusive program for youth) with monthly weekend trips and multi-day excursions around the region. On top of providing recreation, community, and a healthy lifestyle; spending time in nature fuels the body, guides the heart and mends the soul. We believe access to nature is a fundamental right. We believe everyone belongs in nature.
QUADRA CEDAR HILL
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
QCHCA is one of 18 community associations in Saanich, founded in the mid 1990s and representing over 7000 households, schools and businesses. Our mission is “to be an advocate and trusted resource for sustainability, vibrancy and engagement in our community”. Our Climate Action group, comprised of QCHCA Board members and local residents, are working on initiatives that will move us toward becoming a One Planet community. Currently, our initiatives support at least four of the ten principles – Culture and community, Land and nature, Local and sustainable food and zero-carbon energy.
SUPPLY VICTORIA
SUPPLY Victoria is a non-profit dedicated to diverting materials from the landfill and putting them into the hands of artists, students, and teachers. SUPPLY redistributes used art, office, and school supplies and offers creative reuse workshops to youth and adults in order to create a more sustainable, creative, and inclusive Victoria.
VICTORIA ROWING SOCIETY (VRS)
Victoria Rowing Society (VRS) owns and manages the rowing facility at Elk Lake, including the boathouse and docks, on behalf of its 4 member organizations – the Greater Victoria Youth Rowing Society, Rowing Canada Aviron, University of Victoria Rowing and Victoria City Rowing Club. The boathouse is located in Elk Beaver Lake Regional Park on land leased from the Capital Regional District (CRD). VRS was formed in 1979 with the mission as outlined below. VRS takes the lead in speaking on behalf of the Elk Lake rowing community with external stakeholders and members of the public. The 4 member organizations operate rowing programs that collectively offer recreational, fitness-based and competitive rowing opportunities for novice to elite rowers, from ages 11-80+ years.
Businesses
BEESPOT NEIGHBOURHOODS
BUMBLEBEE ELECTRIC
Bumblebee Electric Vehicles and Solar Energy (CCC) Inc. (AKA Bumblebee EV+Solar Inc.) is a “Community Contribution Company.” Its social purpose is to accelerate widespread adoption of Electric Vehicles and solar energy products, as an urgent climate change action strategy that will by design provide a broader spectrum of people access to the benefits these technologies and an active role in the emerging post-carbon economy. Our structure and operations reflect our values, keeping our social, and environmental impacts within “One Planet” limitations while distributing the benefits as broadly and swiftly as possible. Our sustainable energy and transportation solutions will foster greater personal health and happiness for our team and partners. It will deliberately create benefits for the greater global community: broader, quicker and easier transition to clean energy and emissions-free transportation, leverage of personal choices into collective actions, adding momentum to the emerging post-carbon economy.
UPTOWN
Uptown is more than a shopping centre. It’s an artfully designed social gathering place. It’s a hub for commerce and culture where you can shop, dine, work and one day live. It’s an easily accessible focal point for all of Victoria. In addition to receiving many LEED designations, Uptown has numerous operational and community based projects that speak to our Responsibility in Retail programming. Uptown is conscientious of their daily practices to ensure sustainable environment. From chemical-free weed control to energy-efficient installations, Uptown strives to make its day-today operations an example to follow when it comes to responsibility in retail. Currently, Uptown is aiming to become a LEED Gold Neighborhood recipient with the completion of our residential phase.
URBAN THRIVE
Urban Thrive is a social enterprise real estate development company. Their mission is to be a catalyst for change and provide a convenient and realistic alternative to urban sprawl, accelerating our shift toward becoming a more compact, sustainable, human-scale city. Ultimately, they aim to create urban environments that help people be at their best and thrive – now and for generations to come.
Public Sector
CLAREMONT SECONDARY SCHOOL – INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL SOLUTIONS
COLQUITZ MIDDLE SCHOOL
THE DISTRICT OF SAANICH
The District of Saanich is a partner in the One Planet Saanich initiative, which builds on great work already happening in the region. For example, this project supports the update of Saanich’s Climate Plan: 100% Renewable and Resilient Saanich. The District of Saanich blends both the rural and urban on southern Vancouver Island. More than 110,000 people live in the District, including entrepreneurs, artists, community-builders, farmers and families. It has the largest population on the island and borders on six other municipalities, including British Columbia’s capital city, Victoria.
MOUNT DOUGLAS SECONDARY SCHOOL
Day 2 of pitch presentations! Big shout to our community guests for taking time to check out student design concepts. @HaynesSaanich @lab_ethos @OneEarthWeb @SD61Learn pic.twitter.com/SE647DKNz4
— Mount Doug Design & Innovation (@MD_Innovation) November 10, 2020
REYNOLDS SECONDARY SCHOOL
Reynolds Secondary School is a public secondary school Saanich. It has specialized programs including the Flexible Studies program which is designed for students interested in a structured inquiry-based approach to education, where students engage with their peers, teachers, community and environment as they pursue their personal academic excellence. The Program believes that providing opportunities for students to engage with content in meaningful and relevant ways, to explore their own ideas and questions, and to share all of this with our community, will result in students who are highly engaged in their educational experience.
ROYAL OAK MIDDLE SCHOOL
Royal Oak Middle School aims to improve learners’ capacity to be curious, compassionate and resilient. The school is exploring ways to engage students in One Planet Living action, install EV chargers, and further naturalize the school grounds.
