Hello EcoSociety Members & Supporters!

In this edition of the EcoSociety E-Update:

EcoSociety Welcomes New Coordinator David Reid

EcoSociety Volunteer Night

Last Downtown Market for 2010

Water on the Table Film and Q&A

Register Now for the 2010 Columbia Basin Symposium

Participate in Research About Eco-Activism

E-Updates Update

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EcoSociety Welcomes New Coordinator David Reid

EcoSociety is pleased to welcome David Reid to the West Kootenay EcoSociety team. David brings many years of experience with non-profit administration, and a keen passion for our work. David recently completed his Masters Degree in Dispute Resolution, with a focus on public engagement and natural resources decision making. For the next few months David  will focus on building organizational capacity through volunteers, members, fundraising, and board development. He will be maintaining office hours from 10am to 4pm Tuesday through Thursday.  Please extend him a warm welcome!

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EcoSociety Volunteer Night

The West Kootenay EcoSociety invites you to put your passion to work! Join like-minded folks every Tuesday night from 6pm to 8pm to help with a variety of tasks. A couple hours of your time can make a big difference to our farmers’ markets, wilderness protection campaigns, and sustainability programs. Call 354 1909 for more information, or just show up at #206 - 507 Baker St between 6 and 8pm.

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Last Downtown Market for 2010

Wednesday September 15 is your last chance to enjoy the market on 400 block of Baker St. for 2010. The market runs from 9:30 to 3:00pm, including live music from 12-2. Come enjoy all our local growers, bakers, and craftspeople have to offer.

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‘Water On The Table’ Film and Q&A

Kaslo: Thursday, September 16, 7pm, Langham Theatre (447 A Avenue)

Nelson: Friday, September 18, 7pm, United Church  (602 Silica Street)

$5 admission; proceeds go to Glacier-Howser Fund

“Is water a commercial good like running shoes or coca-cola? Or, is water a human right like air?” This is the question posed by Liz Marshall, as she tours across Canada with her new film ‘Water on the Table’. This documentary explores Canada’s relationship to freshwater, arguably its most precious natural resource. At stake is humanity’s own right to the liquid that sustains all life – balanced against powerful interests that insist water is just another resource to be bought and sold. The film features Canadian Maude Barlow who is considered an “international water-warrior” for her crusade to have water declared a human right:

”Water must be declared a public trust and a human right that belongs to the people, the ecosystem and the future, and preserved for all time and practice in law. Clean water must be delivered as a public service, not a profitable commodity.”

Cinematic haiku-style images by Canadian Director of Photography Steve Cosens, linger on watersheds, wetlands, rivers, estuaries, waterfalls and lakes, bridging themes and questions and elevating water beyond the political framework the film overtly explores. Water on the Table is nominated for Best Social-Political Documentary at the Geminis.

When Liz and her team were in the West Kootenay filming, they interviewed Lee-Ann Unger of the EcoSociety, Michelle Mungall, MLA, Storm and Mick of Rainbow’s End Ranch, and Neil Murphy of Purcell Green Power on the topic of water and the independent power project proposal on Glacier and Howser Creeks. This footage will premiere at the events.

Following the film there will be short presentations and a Q&A with Michelle Mungall MLA, Raelynn Gibson, West Kootenay EcoSociety, and Liz Marshall, film producer.

For more information see: http://www.wateronthetable.com or contact Raelynn at raelynn@ecosociety.ca

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Register Now for the 2010 Columbia Basin Symposium

Registration is now open for the 2010 Columbia Basin Symposium: Shaping Our Future Together: Take Action, Build Partnerships, Strengthen Communities. Hosted by CBT, the symposium takes place October 22–24, 2010, in Revelstoke at the Revelstoke Community Centre.

Get involved and join in a dialogue about the future of the Columbia Basin. Bring your ideas and unique perspective to address some of the key issues facing communities. This free event is an opportunity to network with one another, and with CBT Board and staff. Share your experiences, celebrate accomplishments and work toward solutions to shared challenges.

If you are interested in attending this free event, you are invited to register online at www.cbt.org/2010symposium, call 1.800.505.8998 or drop into a CBT office as soon as possible, as space is limited.

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Participate in Research on Eco-Activism

Lisa Mortimore is a doctoral student at the University of Victoria doing research on eco-activism and the body. She will be interviewing 6 or 7 rural women and 6 or 7 urban women, 35 years plus who have been actively involved in activism on behalf of the earth for at least 3 years. There are two parts to the research – an individual interview (1 - 1.5 hours) and a focus group where we will use art to create data…no art skills needed!!!

To participate, email lisamort@uvic.ca or call 250.514.4731

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E-Updates Update

It has come to our attention that some people are receiving more than one copy of this email or no longer wish to receive the e-update. We are moving over to a new email management system that will eliminate duplicate emails and make it much easier to sign up or unsubscribe. We ask for your patience while we make these changes to serve you better. Meanwhile, if you would like to be removed from the list, simply send a message to info@ecosociety.ca with the word “remove” in the subject line. Thank you!