• Regular bi-monthly "circle" of 2-3 minute descriptions of Transition-related projects each of us is working on or would like to start
• Special 5-10 minute presentations of new projects (especially those that are little-known or which need volunteers & sponsors) -- contact Shasta Martinuk <shastamartinuk@gmail.com> if you'd like to present one of these
• The "Projects Worth Doing" list being assembled by the Community Currency group
• Possible "Introduction to Transition" workshop late September, and possible "Transitioning to the New Economy" workshop in mid-October, and the 2013 Bowen Sustainability Tour
• Finding and creating a permanent "space" and presence for Bowen in Transition somewhere on the island (ideally a space with classroom and permaculture "demonstration' potential")

• The number is inside a triangle, usually on the bottom of the container;
• Numbers that are not in the triangle don't count;
• There is no market for number 1 plastics, so BIRD has nowhere to send them;
• Bottles with refund value are unaffected by these changes, so keep bringing them;
• Number 1 plastics go in your garbage for now;
• Any plastics without a triangle go into garbage;
• All other numbered rigid plastics are acceptable for recycling at B.I.R.D. except Styrofoam;
• All plastics must be free from food residue.

Gaia -- Singing the Sacred Web

Music by Karl Jenkins and Paul Winters
St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church
(Burrard & Nelson)
A concert featuring 100-voice choir, including a number of Bowen Islander singers, (some whom you just might know) conducted by Alison Nixon.
Tickets $20; Available from choir members, call 604.926-1621 or at the door.

Become an Ocean Keeper

While Australia recently protected over 35 per cent of its marine ecosystems, Canada has protected less than one per cent. Even the United States is doing a better job of safeguarding its ocean environment.

The David Suzuki Foundation invites everyone who loves the ocean to help out by becoming an Ocean Keeper. "Whether you have just a few minutes a month, or are ready to be a community ambassador, everyone can play a role to protect our oceans. Joining the Ocean Keepers team will allow you to work together with others to make a real difference. Whatever you decide, we’ll help you along the way."

Click on the image above to get involve and help protect our oceans!

Good Reads



What does resilience meant to you? For Joanne Poyourow, from Transition Los Angeles,  resilience means building up our “bounce-back-ability” – putting in place the local resources and social interconnections that will help us flex and adapt with whatever the future throws our way. That makes sense to me. I also really like the way she's defined disposable as "a marketing department euphemism for brazen waste and destruction. Single-use anything is a waste of money, plus it is pillaging our planetary life-support system and the fair shares of other peoples."

Joanne's book, 10 Practical Tools for a Resilient Economy offers a survival kit for what lies ahead. The 10 Practical Tools work together -- like interlocking puzzle pieces -- to form the foundation of a new, more fulfilling and sustainable economy. Check it out by clicking here.

New Book by Rob Hopkins



Rob Hopkin's new book -- The Power of Just Doing Stuff: how local action can change the world is due out June 13. Here's the buzz:

“Something is stirring. People around the world are deciding that the well-being of their local community and its economy lies with them. They’re people like you. They’ve had enough, and, rather than waiting for permission, they’re rolling up their sleeves, getting together with friends and neighbours, and doing something about it. Whether they start small or big, they’re finding that just doing stuff can transform their neighbourhoods and their lives.

The Power of Just Doing Stuff argues that this shift represents the seeds of a new economy – the answer to our desperate search for a new way forward – and at its heart is people deciding that change starts with them. Communities worldwide are already modelling a more local economy rooted in place, in well-being, in entrepreneurship and in creativity. And it works”. Click on the image above to read more.

The Transition Free Press now available!

The Summer Issue is packed with 24 pages of full-on, full colour news and views from the Transition Network folks. Great photographs, great articles, contributed by Transitioners and community activists working in the field. Ordinary people doing extraordinary stuff in all kinds of places: in the city, in the wild, in books, housing co-ops, small businesses, allotments, in the park, down the pub, on the (solar- panelled) roof, underwater, even on the netball court. We’re in Greece, Spain, France and Portugal; we’re in Sheffield, Louth,  Crystal Palace and Lostwithiel. Click here to read online.

Let Them Eat Chocolate
and hedgerow jam cake, with elderflower custard. 

Transitioners have figured it out that "people don't change their behaviour in response to information, fear of future consequences, or even being inspired. We respond instead to positive depictions of the future and being given the practical tools to make change." Sara Ayech writes that this became evidently clear as as her local group hosted one of their most successful events ever - CakeFest. The event was dreamt up over a vegan boxing day dinner, with the goal of taking people a step or two further down the road towards ethically and locally sourced food through the lens of a vegan bake sale, and cake-making demos.

Check out the tasty blog by clicking here.

Hot Under the Collar about Wasteful Design
Katy Anderson introduces the cutting edge approach to zero waste. Click here to read  more.