Climate Action Network created in Pembina Valley

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This article was published 06/07/2024 (774 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Discovery Nature Sanctuary on the eastern edge of Winkler will be a hive of activity this summer as a roster of volunteers take turns tending to its new pollinator garden. The promotion of that garden and its need for volunteers is just one of several eco-friendly initiatives recently undertaken by the Pembina Climate Action Network in Southeast Manitoba.

“The Pembina Climate Action Network is a group of climate concerned people from the Pembina Valley, including Morden, Winkler and the Stanley area, who are looking for ways to take action in our communities around adaptation and mitigation of the impacts of climate change,” explains Sandy Plett, the co-chairperson of PCAN and the climate action coordinator for the Mennonite Church Canada.

“PCAN was created as a way of helping climate concerned individuals find each other so that we can begin to build a strong climate response in our region,” Plett elaborates. “Having a local group organized around climate concern means that others in the area can find like-minded people to take action together with. And we believe that working together with others is the only way to work sustainably at the big issues that are already facing our communities related to the changing climate. “

Edith Lovatt of Morden was one of the climate concerned individuals who helped Plett with the development of PCAN. Now as part of the group’s general membership she is eager to do what she can to mitigate the ill effects of the climate crisis.

“I have a great love and respect for the outdoors, coming from a family of gardeners, camping with my Girl Guide group, and later doing all those things with my own children,” Lovatt says. “Now as a grandmother I am very concerned about what kind of world there will be for my grandchildren.”

PCAN’s first initiative was a Community Conversation held in Morden in early May. That event provided those who were interested with the opportunity to voice their concerns about climate change issues and share their ideas about what can be done in the Pembina Valley in response to those changes.

Attendance at that initial meeting demonstrated that there are sufficient numbers of Pembina Valley residents who share Plett and Lovatt’s concerns and their desire to be proactive. Both acknowledge, however, that their group may face some resistance from other members of their conservative communities.

“I do expect it to be a long hill to climb,” Lovatt admits, (as) there are many people that do not believe the science behind the climate change information. There is so much distrust of the government and the reason for the carbon tax.”

In recognition of that potential resistance, Plett emphasizes that PCAN will always have to remain cognizant of the need to speak kindly and carefully about climate change related issues.

“We hope to avoid polarization and increase mutual understanding by providing spaces for open conversation about the changing climate, the impacts on our health as communities and individuals, and to address these things with care and patience,” she elaborates. “We are happy to look for shared concerns like our water, air and land and talk together with others about how we can better care for these parts of our environment that we rely on for life.”

While much of PCAN’s work is currently focused on making connections, raising awareness about its existence and aims, and promoting its website and Facebook page, the group’s members have already participated in a couple of climate change related events. In early June, they lent their time to the Invasive Plant Species Education and Lake Cleanup Day at Lake Minnewasta in Morden, and on June 9 they distributed seedlings at Morden’s Arbor Day Festival.

“We hope to be an active part of our communities,” Plett says, “working at climate education, adaptation and mitigation, and encouraging a reciprocal relationship with the land on which we live.”

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