ClimateWise and Faith & The Common Good are joining together to assist faith-based communities in achieving their sustainability goals. FCG believes that galvanizing faith groups and their communities into sustainability role models is crucial for a healthier Canada.
The Green Ontario Fund, which is provincially funded through the cap-and-trade program will begin offering new rebates for home energy retrofits and efficiency upgrades. This will make it easier and more affordable for tenants and homeowners to make sustainable choices for their home improvements.
Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change contains over 50 new climate growth measures. The climate plan is a turning point in Canada's response to climate change. Provincial and Territorial governments need accelerated action to meet timelines on each climate growth measure.
Attend a FREE talk and dinner for parents of pre-school- and toddler-aged kids sponsored by Healthy Kids Community Challenge Aurora. Learn about their nutritional needs and tips to explore the colourful world of healthy eating together. Register online to secure your free ticket.
Thank you to all those who attended the Leaders' Sustainability Forum on November 30. The evening was filled with great food, conversation and a lively panel discussion. Check out the event photos on our Facebook page.
From now until midnight Dec 20th 2017, post a photo of your favourite meal or snack made by you that celebrates your favourite veggies and fruit. Post your photo onto FB, Twitter or Instagram with the name of your tasty creation and include #ChooseToBoostVeggiesAndFruit and tag us @fitkidsaurora.
ClimateWise Business Network is proud to launch the York Region Leaders Sustainability Forum. It brings together business leaders from across the Region to share perspectives on emerging trends and opportunities that will impact your business. Come out and network with local business professionals over delicious appetizers and drinks.
Energy efficiency improvements to your home may qualify you for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Green Home premium refund. The CMHC Green Home program provides a mortgage loan insurance premium refund of up to 25% to borrowers who either buy, build or renovate for energy efficiency.
Transformative change is happening in the home energy market in Ontario. Emerging now, is a complete revamp of the residential energy efficiency sector. Join the Windfall Centre and special guests as we explore the opportunities, challenges and business case for home energy ratings in Ontario.
As a Master's student in sustainable business at the Schulich School of Business, Nicole brings over seven years of experience in project management and community development to her role at ClimateWise. She will focus on research, business development and member engagement.
There's a little less pavement at Holy Spirit CES after Windfall Centre held a Depave Event last Thursday. School staff, students, and parents removed 150m2 of pavement from the school's Kindergarten yard using their hands and pry bars, making way for native trees, shrubs, plants, and outdoor classroom space.
The replacement of a broken furnace could qualify you for a $1,600 rebate. Program assessments may now be completed within three weeks of an emergency furnace replacement to save you from waiting in a no-heat situation.
The Toronto EcoFair is a family event aiming to inspire sustainable choices you can make for your home and community. Visit our booth to learn about the Home Energy Conservation Program and eligible upgrades and incentives. Speak to our Energy Specialist for a chance to win a FREE energy assessment.
Drive into the world of green vehicles. Learn how incorporating electric, hybrid or natural gas vehicles in your fleet can benefit your organization. There will be presentations from FleetCarma and the Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance.
On Thursday October 19th, Windfall Centre and Holy Spirit CES are hosting a Depave Event to transform the school's paved Kindergarten yard into vibrant green space. Staff, students, and parents will remove 130m2 of pavement by hand (and pry-bar) that will be replaced with native trees, shrubs, and gardens.
Denis Poncelet, the York Region Project Engineer will provide an overview of the building's green features, opportunities and challenges including lessons learned during building construction and operations. A light breakfast and physical tour of the building will be provided.
Automotive giant General Motors announced the fast-approaching end to internal combustion vehicles by committing to a zero-emissions future. Plans for two new electric cars will be available for purchase by 2018.
If the Winter chill is seeping into your home, maybe it is time for a Home Energy Assessment by one of our Registered Home Energy Experts. They will show you how to improve the comfort of your home, reduce heating and cooling costs, and access available grants and incentives.
People from near and far ventured into Sheppard's Bush on the sunny fall day to take part in Windfall Center's celebration of Ontario's food, land and people. Thank you to Ontario 150 and Healthy Kids Community Challenge for making it possible and to all the exhibitors, special guests, volunteers, community partners and attendees for making it such a special and successful event.
Only three days until we celebrate Ontario's food, land and people together right here in Sheppard's Bush. This free family outdoor event includes cooking demos, First Nations performances, kids activities, workshops, food vendors and more. Connect with the great outdoors and what our community has to offer.
This month Windfall Centre welcomes (from left to right) Jacqueline Tung as the Events and Communications Coordinator, Kirthan Sathananthan as the Marketing and Member Services Coordinator for ClimateWise Business Network and Alanna Sheehan as the Energy Efficiency Specialist.
Visit Windfall Ecology Centre during Green Energy Doors Open and Windfall Harvest Festival to get a first-hand look at the application of solar energy, rain barrels, sustainable transportation, and wood gasification boiler.
If those winter blues are starting to sink in, let Windfall Centre help to lift your spirits with a Home Energy Assessment. Learn how to restore comfort to your home with one of our Registered Home Energy Experts. Together, you can banish drafty rooms and relight the warmth in your smile.
Your kids may be hopping on and off of electric school buses this school year. The program is part of Ontario's Climate Change Action Plan and scheduled to run from December 1st, 2017 to June 30th, 2018. School bus operators that provide service in Ontario can apply for funding.
The Green Ontario Fund - a new not-for-profit provincial agency - will deliver programs and rebates to help reduce energy costs in homes and businesses. Windfall Centre is a delivery agent for a number of these programs within the Greater Toronto Area, York Region and Durham Region.
For more information about the programs that Windfall Centre delivers, please visit our Energy Page.
Healthy Kids and the Town of Aurora have partnered to pilot the Power Boost Menu that gives families access to more vegetables and fruit as part of their meals and snacks. The menu is available from August until the end of October.
History buffs, architecture enthusiasts and weekend wanderers were delighted to explore and learn about the history of the Sheppard House and family. Kids played and activated their creativity in our Nature Play Pop-Up and enjoyed fruit smoothies blended by pedal-power. Thank you to all those who came out!
Explore the 1920's Charles Henry Sheppard House and grounds with guided tours at 1pm and 3pm. Kids can engage in creative outdoor play and get messy in the Healthy Kids adventure playground from 12-4pm. Test your pedal power with our bike-powered smoothie blender!
Newmarket-Aurora MPP Chris Ballard will lead Ontario's fight against climate change as the new minister of environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and overseeing the province's transition to a low-carbon economy.
Windfall Ecology Centre is hiring for two programs, Energy Efficiency and the ClimateWise Business Network. Windfall will be looking at bringing on an Energy Efficiency Specialist for the Energy Program, a Marketing and Sales Coordinator for ClimateWise and an Events and Communications Coordinator to support both ClimateWise and Windfall.
Setting a sustainability target is the first step in tracking and moving forward with your green objectives. On June 29th, ClimateWise hosted a workshop for its Founding Members on how to set a carbon emissions target and how to determine what a relevant target looks like for your team.
The ClimateWise Business Network is pleased to introduce Harry French as the Manager, ClimateWise Business Network (CBN). Their members' ability to stay competitive in a changing business climate is critical; Harry will draw his experience to facilitate them through a target-setting process to meet this goal.
To enter, take a photo with Carrot, post it on Facebook or Twitter with #spotthecarrot and tag us @fitkidsaurora. Follow us to find out where Carrot will appear next. Happy snacking and snapping!
The GC Awards were announced at Green Communities Canada's Annual General Meeting on June 19. Helen Doyle has served as Board Secretary on the Windfall Ecology Centre Board of Directors for 14 years and was recognized for her leading role in guiding the strategic direction of the organization.
Qualified home owners can now earn up to $6,355 in incentives for making eligible energy efficiency improvements to their homes through the Enbridge Home Energy Conservation Program. Additional incentives are now available for electrically heated homes.
Activate Aurora's Open Streets Aurora closed off downtown roads to make way for walking, dancing, basketball, badminton, and a whole lot of fun. Healthy Kids unveiled their mobile Veggie & Fruit Pop-Up alongside Carrot the mascot to give away healthy snacks and remind kids to eat veggies and fruit every day!
The ClimateWise Business Network's first Annual Evening of Recognition was a fantastic success, with members and supporters of ClimateWise, as well as community leaders in business sustainability, celebrating the achievements and growth of the network since its 2016 launch. Thank you to keynote speaker David Miller and Platinum Event Sponsor KPMG for their support!
You now have until Tuesday, June 6 to take advantage of our great savings on rain barrels. Order online today. Pick-up Saturday, June 10 (10:am to 2:pm) at Windfall Ecology Centre in Aurora.
Windfall Ecology Centre was honoured with the 2017 Green Award last night at Aurora Town Hall. The award recognizes Windfall Centre's programs that are leading the way in creating a greener community.
MPP Chris Ballard at Windfall Centre to talk about Ontario's Climate Change Action Plan and to recognize the great work ClimateWise Business Network is doing. ClimateWise has engaged almost 6500 members of the York Region business community in reducing their carbon emissions so far.
Join us for an improved understanding of the Global Adjustment charge on your electricity bill and the steps you need to take before the June 15th deadline. Hosted by ClimateWise Business Network, in partnership with the IESO and Energy@Work.
On Saturday, April 29th, Windfall Centre and Healthy Kids took part in Aurora's Eco Festival at the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex. Families took away inspiration for how to save energy, harness rain water and some great prizes. Healthy Kids gave away 300 pieces of fruit to eager and happy kids and families.
From now until the end of 2017, Healthy Kids communities across Ontario will be focusing their efforts on helping kids eat more veggies and fruit. In Aurora, look out for a variety of food-focused initiatives, projects and events.
Bring your families to this free Town of Aurora event sponsored by Healthy Kids and Windfall Centre. Test out an electric vehicle, explore booths from local environmental organizations, get your hands into fun kids activities, receive a free tree sapling, and take in a guest seminar. Come visit us at our booth!
Join ClimateWise in celebrating sustainability leadership at the first annual Evening of Recognition. The special event will now be held at the brand new Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre in North York with keynote speaker David Miller, President and CEO of WWF-Canada. Come for electric vehicle test drives, celebrate sustainability leadership and network over food and drinks.
The ClimateWise Business Network is hiring a Program Manager to oversee the operations and development of the program. Duties involve coaching members with sustainability projects, managing program staff and championing sustainability within the business community in York Region.
ClimateWise Business Network, in partnership with Enbridge and the City of Vaughan, hosted a lunch seminar at Vaughan City Hall on Tuesday, March 28th about funding sources available to subsidize the cost of energy efficiency projects. The sold-out event featured speakers from Enbridge and Alectra, and was well attended by members of the York Region business community.
If you are a Certified Energy Advisor or Registered Energy Advisor, a renovator or contractor, or if you have specialized knowledge about building science or energy-efficient building practices, you may wish to investigate the possibility of becoming a residential energy efficiency advisor.
Rain barrels are an excellent way to collect free rainwater for future use on gardens and lawns. Using them helps slow down the flow of stormwater on your property and keeps our local waterways clean. Orders must be placed by Friday June 2nd and picked up on Saturday June 10th between 10:00am - 2:00pm at Windfall Ecology Centre, Aurora. Prices begin at $60 per barrel.
On Saturday, March 18th, we welcomed over 180 people to Sheppard's Bush for a day of outdoor play to cap off the March Break. Kids guided themselves through the adventure playground and explored the walking trails. Families also enjoyed maple taffy treats made on the spot. What a great way to celebrate active play, the great outdoors, maple syrup season, and community.
Windfall Ecology Centre throws open its doors for a new fall festival... but 2017 is no ordinary year. This fall, we celebrate 150 years of Canada's diverse natural heritage: Food, Land and People.
New funding is available to subsidize the cost of energy efficiency projects. This event will help business owners and financial managers understand the business case for energy efficiency and sustainability, and learn how to fund their projects.
Policy-makers should look to energy-efficient buildings as low-cost and effective opportunities to meet our 2030 and 2050 targets for reducing carbon pollution. Two strategies include creating a retrofit strategy for building improvements as well as design and construction standards for high energy-efficient new builds.
The ClimateWise Business Network is publishing a series of blogs addressing the barriers to entry for sustainability projects experienced by SMEs, the support that exists to implement and monitor projects, and the benefits and returns typically seen when projects are completed.
Let your kids engage in self-guided active play. Drop into our FREE Nature Play Pop Up and give them the chance to play outdoors. See how they explore, build, and create on their own. There will be maple taffy treats to celebrate the maple syrup season. It's going to be a muddy and sticky good time.
Learn about the new CME SMART Green funding program for Ontario manufacturers at this free breakfast event exploring who can apply for funding, what types of projects are eligible and how to apply. ClimateWise has been invited as a special guest and will be presenting a case study on how manufacturers can benefit from sustainability.