Think green this Sunday

BY ELYSE AMEND

elyse.amend@transcontinental.ca

After their successful Earth Day fair in 2007, the Beaconsfield Environmental Advisory Committee (BEAC) is organizing another event this weekend to help get people interested in ways they can make a difference and live more sustainably.

“This is the second event organized by the BEAC. It’s going to be very different from last year,” said Kate Coulter, Beaconsfield councillor and head of the committee. “This year, it will be a series of short lectures to wet your appetite and get you interested.”

The free Earth and Home Symposium will take place at Beaconsfield High School on Sunday and will feature lectures in both English and French on everything from composting and recycling to geothermal energy and zero emission homes.

Coulter was inspired to hold this year’s Earth Day symposium after visiting a similar event in Hudson.

“I thought it worked very well there,” she said, adding the committee hopes to hold the bigger environment fair every two years.

Following the six 15-minute presentations, the audience will have the chance to ask the experts questions. There will also be an old cell phone collection to help raise money for Sun Youth, tables set up by the presenters with additional information on their topics, and a raffle for a composter.

“We encourage everyone to come out and learn about how to be more environmentally conscious. And people should also bring their own cups for beverages,” Coulter said.

The Beaconsfield Earth and Home Symposium takes place Sunday from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at Beaconsfield High School, 250 Beaurepaire Dr. Coulter also mentioned free compost will be available to residents at Beaconsfield public works, 300 Beaurepaire Dr., from May 13 to 24. For more information, visit www.beaconsfield.ca.