Resource information for woodlots
by Benoît Bleau, translation Sheila Lord (December 2014)
Winter is a good moment to plan and execute forestry work. First, don’t forget to contact the Township office in order to obtain a copy of the new law before undertaking any forestry work. Therefore, if not already done, we strongly recommend that you become a member of the COOP des Frontières to participate to the regional agroforestry program. The cost is only 50$ for a life membership and you get reimbursed if you quit. Contact François Payette at 450-427-2003, ext. 2242 or by email at francois. payette@usherbrooke.ca. Following are some links to sites and articles that will allow you to learn more about new and ecological techniques and approaches to work your woodlot.
Forest producers’ associations :
www.corridorappalachien.ca/
www.mffp.gouv.qc.ca/forets/privees
www.afbf.qc.ca
www.agrireseau.qc.ca/agroforesterie
This above is very useful because you can subscribe to one or more themes (plant and animal production) and you will automatically receive news of their events and publications related.
Information sites :
www.agroforesterie.fr/
www.rncan.gc.ca/forets/
Sites for kids :
www.clubs4h.qc.ca
www.jeunesnaturalistes.org
www.sciencepresse.qc.ca/
www.educatout.com/activites
Glass recycling & consignment
Consignment in Quebec is related to content : only BEER and SOFT DRINK containers are consigned, whereas WINE and SPIRITS are not consigned, even if in all the other provinces, except Manitoba, they are. Beer bottles have been consigned for 200 years in Quebec! 98% of beer bottles are re-used. The habit is already well ingrained.
Operation Verre-Vert : This is a project to bring attention to the problem of glass recycling in Qc. At the present time, glass contaminates all the recyclables, especially paper and cardboard, as it is mixed in.
Kruger (USA) still brings paper to the recycling plant in Qc because the paper here is contaminated by glass. The municipality is aware of the problem and wrote a letter to the government about it last summer. The problem culminated when one of the big glass recycling plants in Quebec closed about a year ago. Other recy- cling plants are willing to recuperate quality used glass. An important part of the solution is consignment for all wine and spirits bottles.
The operation Verre-Vert project is to collect all your wine and spirits bottles and leave all of them off at the SAQ for a media splash, on January 17th 2015. This is a joint action with citizens of Sherrington, St-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Lacolle, St-Cyprien, Napierville and St-Michel. So, during the holiday season, keep your bottles for this event.
Saving money while saving the planet
With another heating season upon us, it may be a good opportunity to visit the Rénoclimat website. Here you will find information on making your dwelling more energy efficient and the grants available to assist you in achieving this.
The first step is an energy audit. A portion of the cost is covered by the program. In the end, for $72.46 (after reimbursement) you will be given a report on the status of things like insulation, windows and doors, air infiltration, heating systems, hot water heater, heat pump or a/c systems and other equipment using energy in your home. The report will also indicate what improvements can be made, the priorities by best return on investment item by item.
Making your home more efficient not only saves you money over the long term but could help reduce global warming.
For more info visit : www.efficaciteenergetique.gouv.qc.ca