CEM marks 6th anniversary with a series of events

Caring for the Environment – Manitoba (CEM) celebrated its 6th anniversary with Trees Winnipeg on Arbor Day, June 3 at Crescent Park Drive. Arbor Day is the largest annual event dedicated to trees in Winnipeg. At the event, CEM community and people of all ages enjoyed tree climbing and bucket rides. They also participated in crafts, tree planting and wood-carving demonstrations. Christian Cassidy, Trees Winnipeg Executive Director, thanked CEM for its participation and expressed enthusiasm for more collaborative opportunities for the two organisations. CEM gave away clean up kits that were donated by CBCRA/Recycle Everywhere through Candace Kunkel, Marketing and Events Coordinator.

Ramon Sales, Jr, CEM Chairperson coordinated the event. This was the highlight of CEM’s 6th anniversary and served as a family day as well. Twentyeight CEM members and friends attended the Arbor Day.

CEM also held other projects in the spring to prepare for its 6th anniversary celebration.

On May 26, 2023, Green Action Centre’s (GAC) Kristen Malec, Senior Compost & Waste Reduction Coordinator and Cesar Flores-Gubert, GAC’s Project Contractor, partnered with CEM through its President, Mariciel Nuyda to implement their Backyard Composting

Project. This is a six-month long community capacity building project where GAC aims to assist seven pre-identified homeowners in the Weston/Brooklands area to start composting at home. Cesar Flores led the workshop held at the Salvation Army Cross Bridge Community Church in Weston. He shared information about the benefits of composting, how to use and manage the compost bins which were provided by GAC. Part of the ongoing project is for Cesar to conduct home visits to check on the progress of the composting and provide troubleshooting should issues arise with the compost. In all, 17 people participated in the event –the seven homeowners and others were CEM members and friends.

On Earth Day (April 22, 2023), upon the invitation of Mika Pineda, Manitoba Museum’s Learning and Engagement Producer for Youth Climate Action event organizer, CEM, through the Education Committed lead, Mia Balansag, participated in the Museum’s Earth Day celebration. Its focus was on waste management where it presented an interactive and fun way to learn about recycling through the “Tale of Recycling Journey” to those who came to the kiosk. This activity aimed to help children and families to answer the question, “What actions can I start today to care for the planet?”. The kiosk visitors received reusable bags and give aways courtesy of Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba (MMSM) through Noelle Vong, Marketing Communications Specialist. For more information on CEM, how to join, donate and lineup of events, visit ceminc.org for more information.

By: Mariciel Nuyda, EdD, CEM President