A Saanich couple have gone excessive to scale back their ecological footprint by putting in a dwelling inexperienced roof to their home.

When Fred and Cathy Haynes’ ­kids grew up and moved out of the household’s 5,000 square-foot, six-bedroom home, the pair determined to downsize. Their new 1,550 square-foot home suits the invoice, however what’s up prime units it aside.

To do their half as stewards of the land, the couple selected a dwelling roof made up of 1,600 particular person plantings representing 37 species of pollinator-friendly crops.

The rooftop was not too long ago featured in B.C. Hydro’s publication, touting its ­contribution to the home’s superior power effectivity.

“The home is a part of our dedication to One Planet dwelling ideas,” stated Haynes, who’s the mayor of Saanich.

One Planet makes use of a framework of 10 ideas to encourage individuals, ­companies and governments to undertake sustainable methods to co-exist.

“We wished to showcase what’s ­potential,” stated Haynes.

The roof is one a part of the general landscaping designed for low power ­consumption whereas nonetheless dwelling ­comfortably.

The roof was designed to hold the additional weight of the soil. Anti-slip baffles of two-by-four items of lumber laid flat are overlaid with tensile netting. The netting anchors the crops and serves as a counterbalance on both aspect. ­Waterproofing is achieved by way of a double-tar overlap sprayed with a bio inhibitor to stop roots from penetrating the membrane.

The roof provides an additional layer of ­insulation to the house, which achieved a Constructed Inexperienced EnerGuide score of 51 GJ/yr and Platinum certification.

Whereas the Hayneses won’t ever have to interchange roof tiles or shingles, they’ll want landscapers on the roof at the least yearly to weed.

• For extra info, go to OnePlanet.com.

$10,200 donation for Easter Seals Camp Shawnigan

The Cowichan Valley chapter of 100 Males Who Care has introduced Easter Seals Camp Shawnigan with a donation of about $10,200.

The philanthropic group of native males attend quarterly conferences at which ­members nominate charities to help. Three are chosen at random and members vote on which charity after being given a short presentation by the nominee. As soon as the successful charity is introduced, everybody writes a $100 cheque to that charity.

“Easter Seals is a company that has been in our neighborhood since 1976 when the camp first opened to serve ­kids, youth and adults with numerous talents on Shawnigan Lake,” stated ­Matthuw Ronald-Jones, who nominated Easter Seals.

“Every summer time they host over 200 campers in an area that’s inclusive and accessible, giving people with numerous talents the possibility to have a novel camp expertise. We see the influence that organizations like Easter Seals have on the households within the ­Cowichan Valley and I’m so thrilled we might acknowledge their nice work with a donation from 100 Males Who Care.”

The subsequent 100 Males Who Care’s assembly will probably be held on Sept. 12, the place they’ll decide one other native charity to help.

Exhibit celebrates Ukrainian Canadian tradition

The Royal B.C. Museum and Archives formally opened Canada, Right here We Are!, a travelling exhibition that celebrates Ukrainian Canadian historical past, tradition and humanities, on Wednesday.

Introduced in partnership with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and honorary consulate of Ukraine in Vancouver, the show provides audiences a neighborhood perspective of Ukrainian Canadian historical past.

The show highlights the wide-ranging contributions Ukrainian Canadians have made in shaping Canada. It touches on the neighborhood’s battle in opposition to discrimination, advocacy and activism for justice.

The exhibit is free to view. It runs till Jan. 6 within the Clifford Carl Corridor on the museum, 675 Belleville St.

For extra info, go to royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki anniversary marked on Tuesday

The 77th anniversary of the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by nuclear bombs will probably be commemorated at Honouring Peace, a particular occasion on the new Gorge Park Pavilion, on Tuesday.

The occasion, hosted by the Worldwide Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear Conflict Canada, is a celebration of Japanese tradition and a reminder of the necessity to treasure and work for peace.

The family-friendly occasion options leisure by the Furusato Dancers, the Uminari Taiko Drummers and the Raging Grannies amongst others.

Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins will plant a sapling grown from a seed of an enormous Gingko tree standing on the time of the blast in Hiroshima at 7 p.m.

Members are invited to reach early (between 6 and seven p.m.) to brighten a lantern, which will probably be set afloat at sundown (8:35 p.m.) on the reflective swimming pools bordering the pavilion.

Convey blankets, chairs and your personal picnic or take pleasure in meals from an on-site meals truck.

Admission is free, however donations to contribute to the price of the occasion will probably be welcome on website. The occasion runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on the new pavilion at Esquimalt Gorge Park, 1070 Tillicum Rd. You possibly can register on Eventbrite. Registration isn’t vital however will enable individuals to get reminders.

Making mates and staying match

In case you are a girl aged 55 or higher, seeking to make mates and keep match collectively, you might be invited to both be a part of the Victoria Grandmothers for Africa for in-person bicycle rides to discover Victoria this summer time or take a month-long digital experience by way of Africa.

The group of greater than 100 girls elevating funds and consciousness for girls in Africa is gearing up for his or her annual Cycle Tour from Campbell River to Victoria in September. This will probably be their 16th occasion and the primary time they’ve been capable of experience in individual because the begin of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The tour prices $20 to register. It contains an informative weekly publication. Every rider determines for herself a personally-challenging distance to experience over the length. The tour is appropriate for each individuals new to biking or skilled, dedicated cyclists. It begins on Aug. 13 and runs for 4 weeks, with group rides each Friday from Aug. 13 to Sept. 9.

For extra info, go to vg4a.ca.