Happy Solstice and Season's Greetings |
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The synchronicity of numbers is something that has fascinated philosophers and scientists for centuries. Today, the 21st day of the 12 month of the year 2021 is also the Winter Solstice. Numerologists would say the 2 resonates with teamwork and good relationships and 1 is about manifesting new beginnings. After the past few years, a lot of people are ready for a change, so why not use this as an opportunity to reflect on what you want to put your time and attention to so that you have more of what you want vs don't want. A few minutes of quiet time to reflect on positive wishes is a start in the right direction, regardless when it is done. Meditation is one way to create a more positive mindset. Our outer world is the result of our thoughts and actions. If we want to have a healthier, happier world we have to create it. Celebrate knowing your positive thoughts and actions can and do impact everything and everyone in your life in a more loving way. Here's to brighter days as we collectively manifest positive new beginnings rooted in love and compassion for each other and the natural world. ~ The Creatively United Team |
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Eight cellists from University of Victoria Cello class, under the direction of Pamela Highbaugh Aloni, recently debuted a new composition by Hollas Longton, featuring the poems of Creatively United's Frances Litman. The commission, funded by the Gail O’Riordan Climate and the Arts Legacy Fund, is presented here with Frances reading and illustrating the pieces with her outdoor nature videography. This compilation is less than 4 minutes with footage from southern Vancouver Island. |
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Looking for the perfect gift? Something that has lasting value, doesn't cost the earth, produces no waste and continues to give back? Here are some ideas, and some even come with a tax deductible receipt! |
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Save The Six at Wildwood Submitted by the Ecoforestry Institute Society |
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Sometimes you know in your heart that it’s the right thing at the right time and the right place. The Wildwood campaign to Save 6 Acres is such a time. These 6 acres, an ancient forest with 35 mother trees over 250 years old, are adjacent to Wildwood Ecoforest.
Something magical happens when the land meets a lake. These 6 acres are especially important because they are the crowning watershed tributary to Quennell Lake, which in turn flows to the Nanaimo River. Protecting these 6 acres will keep intact the living connection between forest and fresh water. The shoreline and lake offer essential and diverse habitat for small animals, songbirds, aquatic birds, fish and insects on which the forest depends. Protecting shoreline from development provides flood protection, maintains natural processes, aquatic life (Quennell Lake is claimed to be the best small mouth bass fishing in BC) and regulates water levels.
Forest and lake, plants and animals, water and soil come together to create a living whole, a network of relationships. It’s imperative for the existing property at Wildwood to include these 6 acres to ensure that this ecosystem continues in perpetuity, under their extensive covenant protections.
In the 83 years since Merve Wilkinson first implemented at Wildwood his philosophy of forest management based on sustainable yield, this special property has become recognized worldwide as a model for ecoforestry. It is a learning site and is often used by college and university students as a site for field studies.
Six acres added to a 77 acre property may seem small. However, its inclusion as part of the larger whole is critically important. The impact is greater than its numerical importance. What has been achieved at Wildwood can be scaled to any forest size.
The property has been visited and its importance supported by global celebrities such as Dr. Jane Goodall, Robert Bateman, Dr. David Suzuki, Dr. Suzanne Simard and renowned ethnobotanist, Dr. Nancy Turner.
Wildwood is a gem for Vancouver Island and a life-giving resource for our planet.
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Mary Lake Nature Sanctuary Submitted by Greater Victoria Greenbelt Society |
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Double your donation with the Greater Victoria Greenbelt Society campaign to match 1:1 donations for up to $50,000 for the Mary Lake Nature Sanctuary. The Mary Lake property is a 42 acre protected forest and riparian area that supports biodiversity while preserving ecosystems and wildlife habitat just 25 km north from Victoria, BC. It is also the home of the “Highlands Nature House” which sits on the water’s edge, within the tranquil natural environment, inspiring an awareness of nature as teacher and an essential ally. Your Gift will Support: - Ongoing habitat restoration for over 224 species, several of which are designated endangered.
- Programs that foster a respectful connection to nature.
- Protection of the heart of the Millstream Watershed for Coho salmon.
- Conservation that honours and includes First Nations traditional knowledge for land management.
- Opportunities that return traditional cultural teachings and practices to land they have been separated from for 135 years.
- The regional Nature House offering space for community gatherings, workshops, retreats and cross-cultural work.
Donate here, download the donation form, or send a cheque to Greater Victoria Greenbelt Society 499 Millstream Lake Rd., Victoria BC, V9B 6H5. Charitable tax receipts provided.
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Support Pollinators and Ancient Forests Submitted by Elders for Ancient Trees/Old Folks for Old Growth |
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Support the protection of vitally important pollinators and ancient forests while reducing single use plastics by purchasing Kelly Davies' beeswax wraps. These wraps are antibacterial and biodegradable, made from 100% organic cotton, and with proper care can be reused over 100 times or more! An eco-friendly replacement for throwaway plastic cling wraps. Available in a variety of options. Watch this quick video clip on how to use the wraps. Kelly is a community educator, eco-artist and changemaker who recently went through a transformative learning experience where she went from educating on the importance of bees to the importance of ancient trees! Since 2016, Kelly has been sharing her passion for pollinators by facilitating community beekeeping and apitherapy workshops. When she moved back to the Coast Salish Territory of the Lekwungen & W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples in 2021 and learned about the very last culturally and ecologically vital ancient forests, Kelly started organizing Community Engaged Learning bus trips to 'Ada'itsx/Fairy Creek to help protect ancient forest ecosystems and Indigenous sovereignty. Suggested donation is $25 per package. $40 covers the cost of one participant on the Community Engaged Learning trip to 'Ada'itsx /Fairy Creek. All donations are greatly appreciated! Wraps can be picked up in Victoria and/or delivered within the area. All proceeds go towards funding unique and critical Community Engaged Learning opportunities that help protect bees and trees. Order by e-transfer to FairyCreekBusService@gmail.com |
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Donate a ticket to provide youth at risk the chance to attend TEDxSurrey from 1-5 pm on Saturday, February 19th, 2022 at the 1,000+ seat Bell Performing Arts Centre. This high-energy, invigorating, and uplifting event is a great opportunity for youth to gain inspiration and hope for their futures, and makes the ideal family gift too. TEDxSurrey is widely recognized as the premier TEDx event in Western Canada. The theme for TEDxSurrey 2022 is A Shift in Thinking. Creatively United's founder, Frances Litman, has been chosen as one of 12 finalists selected to speak at this event. For speaker information, please visit: 2022 - TEDxSurrey. Tickets are $69 + tax and fees. Tax receipts will be issued immediately for all donations. Should Covid restrictions limit or prevent attendance, refunds will be available. The event will be livestreamed and tickets for the livestream event will be made available early in the new year. To learn more about the organization handling these special youth tickets, visit: Pathfinder Youth Centre Society. To order tickets for youth at risk:
https://app.simplyk.io/en/donation-form/c8f4c502-489c-4ba8-938c-9d0e57647faf Purchase other tickets online here. For direct access, including TEDx's Buy 9 & Get 1 Free block of 10 ticket offer – call the Bell Box Office: 604-507-6355. Each seat sold before December 31st will be entered into a draw for a brand-new electric bike (value of $2,500) which will be drawn at the event on February 19th. |
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Our next Climate and the Arts webinar for 2022 will be held from 10:30 am to noon on Wednesday, January 26th. Save the date and watch your inbox in the New Year for exciting announcements about our next lineup of incredible presenters sharing inspiring information on timely topics. |
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Creatively United Solutions Hub |
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Creatively United for the Planet is a registered non-profit society. Since 2012, we have been leading, convening and amplifying ways to share how collectively we can reduce our ecological footprint and implement long-term sustainability solutions. Our mandate is to foster conversations, connections and create collaborative opportunities that bring individuals and organizations together in support of achieving common sustainability goals and accelerating climate action. Creatively United is a member of the Westcoast Climate Action Network and works collaboratively with numerous community organizations and in partnership with the Gail O'Riordan Climate and the Arts Legacy Fund, supported by The Victoria Foundation. The Gail O'Riordan Climate and the Arts Legacy Fund is dedicated to changing human consciousness towards global environmental change by combining science with the creativity of the performing arts. |
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Healthy, happy communities begin from the ground up. Help us inspire generations to protect and preserve the natural world and confront climate change, so families, communities and nature can prosper together. |
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