Let’s make Our Community Hopeful!
Imagine being part of a collective that is working together to make the world a better place
Hopeful!
Hike & Bike
Opt for Green Energy
Plant a Veggie Garden
Eat Locally-Produced Food
Foster Local Travel
Use Plastic-Free Options
Limit Consumption
Positive Action Inspires Others to Hope
Who is HOPEFUL?
HOPEFUL! is a grassroots movement inspiring positive actions for our environment. The movement hopes to overcome pervasive cynicism by suggesting initiatives to incorporate into everyday life. Over time those cumulative actions will benefit our sense of well-being, the community and Planet Earth.
Why HOPEFUL!?
People of all ages are experiencing eco-anxiety. It’s no wonder! We are inundated with bad news stories regarding a range of issues from global warming to rising sea levels, fires to droughts and the list goes on. Young people expect to suffer the consequences of climate change and as a result, are more fearful of their future. The negative scenarios can lead to depression, fear and anger which paralyze positive action. We know that major players are at work researching and implementing ways to fight climate change and prevent increasing carbon levels; however, at the individual level, it’s not surprising that we feel helpless.
People crave ACTION! People are desperate to feel HOPEFUL!
Ready to Get Started?
What Will HOPEFUL! Do?
Evidence suggests that personal happiness increases when we take steps to reduce carbon. A win-win!
HOPEFUL! Objective:
Create a HOPEFUL! community through awareness, positive action and education
HOPEFUL! Goals:
Invite individuals, families and friends to step up and make action pledges (see Upstanders below)
Introduce HOPEFUL! to schools
Celebrate the people, organizations and businesses that already make our community HOPEFUL!
Provide an opportunity to discuss positive news stories and initiatives taking place around the world
Offer educational pop-ups at local events
Create an eye-catching mural in a central location in Smithers to raise awareness
Create projects for Earth Day
“Hope is a verb with its sleeves rolled up”
-David Orr
Would You Like To Be An UPSTANDER?
Shifting to a sustainable future is a journey and each individual can make a positive difference. The Hopeful! Campaign wants to recognize your positive contribution!
Be an UPSTANDER for the environmental by challenging yourself, your family, your office, friends and/or neighbours to create a pledge. Submit your pledge and a selfie to janet@bulkleyriver.com
Examples:
As an upstander for the environment, I, Mary Smith, pledge to fly only once a year
As an upstander for the environment, we, the Smith family, pledge to eat vegan 1 day per week
As an upstander for the environment, we, Acme Tool Office, pledge to avoid single-use drinking containers
As an upstander for the environment, we, Oakridge Neighbourhood, pledge to learn how to compost
How our Community is Already HOPEFUL!
H ike and Bike
Bulkley Valley Backpackers
Cycle 16 Trail Connector Trail
Town of Smithers is funding the paved connector trail linking to the Cycle 16 Telkwa-Smithers trail
P lant a Veggie Garden
Groundbreakers Agriculture Association
Make Agriculture Sustainable in the Hazeltons M.A.S.H
Ministry of Agriculture
Northern Roots Community Garden
Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako
Young Agrarians
Local nurseries
F oster Local Travel
Babine Provincial Park (hiking)
B&T Sleigh Rides
Bulkley Valley Aquatic Centre
Bulkley Valley Nordic Centre
Cycle 16 Connector Trail
Hudson Bay Mountain Alpine Centre
Kaeger Lake Mountain Bike Park (Burns Lake)
Northern BC Tourism site
Round the Mountain hiking and cycling trail
Smithers Perimeter Trail
Surrounding trails for summer & winter recreation
Surrounding rivers and lakes for summer & winter recreation
Smithers is surrounded by scenic and interesting “stay-cation” options: The West Coast, Haida Gwaii, the Hazelton’s, The Nass Valley (lava beds), Stewart (glaciers), the Lakes District
Smithers Tourist Information Centre
O pt for Green Energy
Local energy alternative companies (solar, heat pumps, geothermal technology)
Town of Smithers has hired a Climate Action Specialist
Town is engaged in a Smithers Community Energy & Emissions Plan
Town is engaged in a GHG Emissions Reduction Study, Organic Diversion Study and Fleet Transition Study
Town has installed EV charging stations
E at Locally Produced Food
Farmer’s Market
Grendel Group
Groundbreakers Agriculture Association
Local businesses that source locally-produced food
U se Plastic Substitutes
Local businesses that support bulk food, re-fillable containers for food, laundry supplies and cosmetics
L imit Consumption
Bulkley Valley Tool Library
New To You
St. James Anglican Thrift Shop
Smithers Library
Local secondhand, consignment and repair stores
!
Smithers Climate Action Group and Climate Change Café are advocacy groups for the environment
Town of Smithers has declared that there is a climate emergency
Town has a developed an Emergency Preparedness Program