The ecotrust review examines how the first year of the NCIL operation has been that of exploration and taking feedback from across the community, their focus is noted as part of the preamble to the report which notes:
A culture of innovation is being nurtured in Prince Rupert and the NCIL is complementing efforts and projects initiated by local organizations while building networks of innovators and community-builders. The NCIL is in a very strong position to carry forward groundbreaking work into 2019 and beyond.
The Report explores how the community is in a time of flux and reconciliation and notes of the many investments by First Nations communities into the local economy.
It also hails such city led initiatives as Mayor Brain's Hays 2.0 vision and the creation of Redesign Rupert as injecting energy and creating substantial opportunities and vibrancy in the community.
Also noted are some of the changes on the local scene that are supporting the advancement of the NCIL mandate, ranging from growing involvement of First Nations Communities, creation of new housing in the region, a new focus from Coast Mountain College on experiential, place based learning and the Mayor's 2030 Sustainable City Draft Policy planning.
The frequent mention of the Mayor's various initiatives highlights the growing inter-connection between many of his oft-stated policy goals and the work that ecotrust is hoping to take on in the community.
And as part of the report, the Mayor provides his own tribute to their work.
When it comes to some of the community projects that the North Coast Innovation Lab has taken part in they make note of their work with Hecate Strait Employment Development Society and Community Futures in the Trading Coast Conference last fall.
From that experience, they have developed a plan to create what they describe as a Co-working and Incubation Space, with the next steps towards that to be addressed through a report on the initiative.
The major project for year one was their work in growing the local economy for Fish and Marine Products in Prince Rupert. Their research so far has consisted of surveys and interaction with community members to assess the desire for opportunities to access fresh, local seafood.
The next step to build on this project is to nurture partnerships with individuals and organizations who could carry some of these initiatives forward, to take on small-scale demonstration projects and encourage rapid learning and refinement of initiatives, and to include the community in building a model that will be sustainable over the long-term.
One element of that desire for better access that has yet to be delivered on however, is a project that Councillor Barry Cunningham has long championed, that of an outdoor Fish Market set up on the Cow Bay Dock to allow local residents and visitors to access fresh seafood directly from those who make the catch.
Strengthening Community Networks is also a key factor for their work and NCIL provides a check list in their report to highlight their work towards those goals.
As they move through 2019 they have identified a few more areas to put their talents towards, with four initiatives of note included in their report.
Among them more engagement in Ocean Farming, increased Social Enterprise development, continued work on Food Production and Distribution and expanded engagement on Downtown Revitalization.
You can review the full report from ecotrust Canada here.
Those looking to expand on their reading about the work of ecotrust Canada can also review the organizations Annual Report for 2018, which offers a wider scope on all of their work in the province.
They also host a newsletter, which highlights some of the latest notes of their work and outlines how you can donate towards their ongoing initiatives.
For more notes about Sustainability in the Northwest see our archive page here.
To return to the most recent blog posting of the day, click here.
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