After a full summer of programs ... Ecotrust Canada moves into fall; with a signature project now open for public participation

As the unofficial end of summer arrived for the North Coast on Labour Day
the much anticipate Grand opening for the Kaien Island Urban Farm
took place in downtown Prince Rupert on September 3rd
(photo from Ecotrust) 

The summer of 2021 was an active period for those working on North Coast projects for Ecotrust Canada, the organization making note of their food security initiatives of recent months.

Among some of their themes of note for the summer was their ongoing work towards Food Security and Resilience for the North Coast, with the development of a food entrepreneurship program with Hecate Strait Employment Development Society one of the key elements of the work this summer. The program is coordinated by Anab Siraj at HSEDS, the background towards it can be reviewed here.

Working with the Gitmaxmak'ay Nisga’a Society provided for an opportunity to dig into composting themes as part of their Sustainable Urban Composting Project, with coordinator Chantalle Gervan taking us through the workings of the project and its plans for the future.

Earlier this summer, Ecotrust outlined the nature of an energy initiative for the region, presenting the options when it comes to Heat Pumps as a potential area for energy savings. The initiative getting an expanded overview from Graham Anderson  at the July 26th City Council session.

Developing a more prominent presence for Seafood options on the North Coast also was a focus for this summer as Ecotrust Canada's Andrea Yovorksy worked with Dai Fukasaku on a new initiative on the Prince Rupert waterfront.

Further notes on their seafood themes can be reviewed here.

The project that by far captured the most attention over the summer however, was the work in developing the Kaien Island Urban Farm located just across from the Ecotrust offices in the Ocean Centre. 

The Garden is located on the old Farwest Bus Lines parking lot. 

Ecotrust partnered with Metlakatla which owns the land for the initiative, which  had its Grand Opening on Friday September 3rd. 

The project coming together through the work of Ecotrust's Food System Project Coordinators and Community worker. 

The summer help having completed their term with the organization, the Urban Farm will now be watched over by Charles Gerein, who we introduced back in March of this year.

The project earned the praise of Prince Rupert City Councillor Nick Adey and others at City Hall in recent months, the Councillor gaining a sneak preview prior to the Grand Opening.

You can review his thoughts and some of our past notes on the project from this item.

To find out more about the work of Ecotrust Canada in the Prince Rupert area, see their website, as well as their Social media feeds of Twitter and Facebook.