LAC LA BICHE – Environment Week events in Lac La Biche are set to get underway on May 31 with a launch party in McArthur Park.
According to Lac La Biche County, other events that are taking place for Environment Week include a CORE workshop at McArthur Place on June 3, and a Bird I.D. Workshop at the Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park campground amphitheatre on June 5.
The week concludes with a hazardous waste roundup and shredding event at the County Centre on June 7.
Julia Shapka, Lac La Biche County’s environmental services coordinator, stated while all these events are free to attend, the workshops require pre-registration to ensure that enough materials and supplies are available for everyone who is participating.
The launch party to kick off Environment Week will feature live music, displays and exhibits by local environmental organizations, a free barbeque and ice cream, along with hands-on activities for all ages.
“It’s a fun-filled afternoon and lots of people find it really valuable because they can learn more about taking environmental action in a relaxed, festive atmosphere,” she said.
The CORE workshop that is being put for Environment Week is designed for people who are interested in composting but aren’t sure where to begin. CORE stands for Community Organics Recycling Enhancement, which Shapka said is an ongoing initiative to promote composting.
Participants will “learn how to turn organic waste like leftover food scraps into fertilizer,” said Shapka. “This ties in nicely with the gardening workshops the County has also been running, and it has the added benefit of encouraging people to divert waste from our landfills.”
The bird identification workshop is being done through a partnership with Lakeland Industry and Community Association (LICA) Environmental Stewards and Alberta Parks.
During the event, people will learn about identifying common bird species, how to choose binoculars, along with other field tips before heading out on a guided bird watching walk.
“Our region is visited by literally hundreds of different migratory bird species, especially at this time of year, so we want people to really appreciate what an incredible natural asset we have in being a recognized bird sanctuary,” Shapka stated.
The household hazardous waste round-up and shredding event is an opportunity for people to safely dispose of items like household cleaners and domestic pest control products. People who stop by the County Centre can also have sensitive documents securely shredded onsite.
Environment Week coincides with World Environment Day, which will be celebrated on June 5.
This global day for environmental action was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972. Each year, World Environment Day focuses on a different theme and is hosted by a different country.
