We welcome Dana our new project blogger with his first post about the progress of the project. Check in or subscribe to follow his posts.

——————————————–

Another day, another inspiring meeting with the Zero Waste Youth Project crew!
It was a little unfortunate that billions, upon billions of people didn’t come and join us on Wednesday. However we were lucky to have the few that we did, as all of them were really excited to get their hands dirty with some exciting junk. Another good thing about the turn-out was that we got to know each other better as individuals rather than as a fellow member whose name no one really knows.

Once our group settled in their seats we began our meeting a little bit of digital media show and tell. We were all shown the wonderful ways in which we could showcase our projects, find new and inspiring ones, as well as places to just listen to others talk about the group as a whole (such as this blog). Kori even did a wonderful job of converting some of us to Pinterest.

We quickly moved into introductions where we got to know a little bit more than just a person’s name; we got to know why they came and what inspired them. It was fun hearing all the different ideas that people came with, and to think of all the ways they could be applied. The most exciting part was realising that it is all possible.
What really helped us to realise this was a very awe inspiring video about the Warriors Without Weapons, and how they turned a drug and crime infested area, down in Brazil, into a wonderful area for the community together and have fun together. They did this all without a single resource at first. Knowing that they could do this helped us to realise that WE can do this.

After a little break filled with delicious snacking we gathered back in the meeting room then grouped off into different project areas. One group was all about designing our dream space, one was about how to introduce ourselves to those around us, and the last was about how to make these projects of ours become a reality.
The dream space was looking good, with some floor layouts, shelves for storage, sewing rooms and other little doodads.

The project plans were coming together; there were written diagrams of supplies needed, ways to get them, and how to put them all together.

As for the group dedicated to introducing ourselves to the world around us, well they came up with so many names and ideas for the project that they got lost.

And that is where you come in. We will need the help of everyone involved and those who would like to become involved, in the choosing of the name for our exciting upcycler project.
Will we be the Waste Warriors, Wizards of Creation, the Junk Jammers? We will have to wait and see.
Until then, get some ideas rolling, draw them out, write some plans, and get your butt over to our meetings. Help us make this into an amazing project!
See you next time, and make sure to bring some friends, will yah?

This project is launching into its second phase! Starting back up in February 2013, the Earth Matters Upcyclers will be meeting weekly at their new “Upcycling Laboratory” space in the Nelson and District Youth Center.

Thank you to the NDYC for hosting us in your space! This project would not be possible without our amazing funders/supporters and we would also like to thank Columbia Basin Trust, Nelson Cares Society, Nelson Credit Union, Central Kootenay Regional District, TD Canada Trust and BC Hydro.

The Lab room is now set up with two working sewing machines, two working sergers, a Fabric cutting station, donated recycled textiles, a local sewing expert (Nic) and two excited coordinators (Heather and Sarah) Stay tuned for the next productive and fun stage of the project where we will be upcycling old Shambhala tents into grocery bags and jackets and selling them back to the festival!

AND

Get involved educating your community on rethinking our waste.

FREE SNACKS!

GREAT PEOPLE!

MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

All youth ages 15-25 are encouraged to sign up. The project is free to participate in and aims to reduce as many other barriers as possible.  The project aims to be a safe and fun space. This project issupported by:

This project is launching into its second phase! Starting back up in February 2013, the Earth Matters Upcyclers will be meeting weekly at their new “Upcycling Laboratory” space in the Nelson and District Youth Center.

Thank you to the NDYC for hosting us in your space! This project would not be possible without our amazing funders/supporters and we would also like to thank Columbia Basin Trust, Nelson Cares Society, Nelson Credit Union, Central Kootenay Regional District, TD Canada Trust and BC Hydro.

The Lab room is now set up with two working sewing machines, two working sergers, a Fabric cutting station, donated recycled textiles, a local sewing expert (Nic) and two excited coordinators (Heather and Sarah) Stay tuned for the next productive and fun stage of the project where we will be upcycling old Shambhala tents into grocery bags and jackets and selling them back to the festival!

AND

Get involved educating your community on rethinking our waste.

FREE SNACKS!

GREAT PEOPLE!

MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

All youth ages 15-25 are encouraged to sign up. The project is free to participate in and aims to reduce as many other barriers as possible.  The project aims to be a safe and fun space. This project issupported by:

Pledge to be a part of the FortisBC Earth Hour Challenge and get set to turn off your lights and electronics for one hour on Saturday, March 31 at 8:3pm. Join millions that are showing they car about how they us power, every hour of every day.  You will have the chance to win a weekend at the Manteo Resort in Kelowna.  If Nelson is the community with the most pledges Nelson CARES Society will win a much needed  $5000 energy upgrade.

Pledge by clicking on the graphic below or go to fortisbc.com/earthhour .

Earth Matters is an environmental program based in Nelson, BC. Our mission is to inspire and support lifestyles that are environmentally responsible and beneficial to human health.

Earth Matters projects and initiatives promote the values of environmental stewardship and responsibility, social justice, community, partnership building, and economic viability.

Since 1995, we have been developing and implementing innovative, experiential education and community development programs. These programs have particularly focused on youth environmental stewardship while offering meaningful work experience and unique opportunities for youth to increase their employability, self-esteem, interpersonal effectiveness, and capacity to effect change in their own community. Check out our Youth Initiatives page for more information on our various projects.

In 2008, the Earth Matters Program expanded beyond Youth Initiatives to include a wider range of environmental initiatives such as sustainable social enterprises. These enterprises offer ongoing work opportunities for people experiencing barriers to employment.  Today, we successfully operate two successful social enterprises in Nelson, BC. The Earth Matters Recycling Service collects recyclables from Nelson businesses on a weekly basis.  And the Earth Mat ters ECO Store sells a range of products that support environmentally sustainable lifestyles both on-line and from a retail location.