Nuit Verte

As part of the EECOM conference, all attendees are invited to attend Nuit Verte on April 23 from 7:00-9:00pm EDT for an extra-special evening of eco-friendly social events happening online across Canada!

Inspired by Toronto’s annual “Nuit Blanche” after-dark arts festival, this idea for a gathering goes green by bringing EECOM conference delegates together for compelling community conversations on a variety of themes related to environmental living and learning.

From organic craft beer tasting to urban beekeeping; stand-up comedy to poetry slams; and Indigenous cooking classes to tips and tricks for low-waste living and more, there’s a Nuit Verte session to suit everyone’s passions and interests!

All Nuit Verte sessions will require participants to register in advance (registration forms coming soon!) and registration will be available on a first-come, first-served basis until April 20. Registration is included for free as part of your EECOM Conference ticket. Need to get your conference ticket? Click here to register on Eventbrite!

Nuit Verte offerings are subject to change based on meeting minimum registration numbers to run sessions.

Nuit Verte sessions

Indigenous cooking

Candace Esquimaux & Rosa Na

Join this informative session to converse with Candace about traditional Indigenous cuisine using products obtained from native species. Candace will be demonstrating how to make Cedar tea.

Cost for delegates: Free, but supplies and preparation required.

Supplies

Preparation: Find a healthy cedar tree in your neighbourhood and pick a handful of leaves prior to the session. Make sure to clean the cedar with vinegar and water for a few minutes, and rinse off. If possible, order a cedar tea kit directly from Candace! It comes with 3 teas, organic honey and maple syrup, honey dipper and directions: https://www.candacescatering.ca/tea-kits

Vegetarian/vegan cooking session

Vanessa Alsop & Lindsay Bunce

Join Vanessa Alsop, a vegetarian and vegan cooking enthusiast, for a hands-on cooking class. An ingredients list will be sent to participants prior to the session so they cook together, as well as trade favourite recipes and culinary tips!

Cost for delegates: Free, but supplies required.

Supplies

Ingredients for Vegan Eggplant Parmesan

 2 medium eggplants or (plus salt to extract bitter juices)

2 Tbsp olive oil

4 garlic cloves crushed

1 large onion chopped

2 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried basil

1 large tin of toms (28oz)

1 Tbsp maple syrup

3 Tbsp red wine

1 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cup of light vegetable oil

1/2 cup of nutritional yeast (or vegan parmesan)

4 Tbsp fresh basil

Low Waste Living in the City

Zero Waste GTA, Sarah Robertson-Barnes, Haley Higdon & Jason Gale

Join Haley (@50 Shades of Green), Sarah (@Sarah Robertson-Barnes), Sophi (@yourecofriend), Erin (@impactzero.ca) and Lin and Toni (@plasticfreeto) in a conversation about low-waste living. Get simple tips and tricks that are still possible in a pandemic.

Cost for delegates: Free

“A Taste Like No Other” – Organic Craft Beer Tasting

Phil Winters & Pam Miller

Get a taste of the GTA in this session that focuses on organic beers. Join beer-lover Pam Miller and micro-brewer Phil Winters from Goodlot Beer to ‘talk and taste’ organic beer – a list of Goodlot beers to be sent out in advance, or bring your favourite brand to join in!

*Limited to those 19 and over.

Cost for delegates: Free, but supplies required.

Supplies

  • Goodlot’s ‘Farmstead Ale’
  • Goodlot’s ‘Bighead Amber’ 

“A Wee Drop for the Planet” – Organic (BioDynamic) Wine Tasting

Jenn Vetter & Tim Grant

Want to take a virtual wine tour, learn about organic/sustainable wines produced in Canada and beyond and enjoy a glass with some new friends?

Join Tim and Jenn for this highly participatory wine tasting session where you can enjoy a glass of your favourite organic wine, connect with other conference participants, and share some interesting facts about the wine you chose.

*Limited to those 19 and over

Cost for delegates: Free, but supplies required.

Purchase a bottle of your favourite organic wine from Canada or any wine region in the world and bring it to this session.

Eco art-making

Allison Best & Linda Naccarato

Feeling creative? Join this session to share your approaches to environmental art-making, and try out a few new ones. Together we will explore mark making inspired by, and using, nature! Participants can bring to the session art materials of their choice and are encouraged to try some of our recommended natural materials and tools. A short list of materials to gather will be sent to participants in advance. No skills or art experience required!

Cost for delegates: Free, but supplies required.

Supplies

Basic materials:

  • Pencils, markers, crayons, paints
  • Paper (GOOS or recycled paper/cardboard packaging)

 Natural ‘PAINTS’ to try:

  • Natural dyes/pigments ( e.g. beet dye, turmeric + water, onion skin dye)
  • Mud/ dirt paint (e.g. dirt + water)
  • Food scraps (e.g. coffee grounds, tea bags)

 Natural ‘PAINTING TOOLS’ to try:

  • Pine needle twigs
  • Vegetable stamps (e.g. potato, onion, brussel sprout, broccoli)
  • Pinecones
  • Hands!

 Natural inspiration:

  • Natural treasures: bark, stones, shells, leaves, seed pods
  • House plants and green things growing in your home
  • Inspiring fruits and veg from your kitchen

Sustainability Trivia Night

Lauren Azzopardi & Eric Olorenshaw

Do you consider yourself an avid practitioner of sustainable living? Join this fun trivia session to find out and learn tips and tricks to further reduce your carbon footprint!

Cost for delegates: Free

Open Mic/Eco-Comedy

 Barret Miller & eco-comic Nathan “Nature Nate” Entz

Are you in desperate need for some comic relief? Do you need some laughter therapy? Are you a closeted comic? Well it is time to come out of the closet and join this open-mic eco-comedy night for a chance to perform in front of a live audience!

Cost for delegates: Free

Bring your greenest funny bits, listening and supporting attitude, and be ready for some laughs!

Vermicomposting

Paul Elliott

Why waste your waste? Join this session to learn how to create and maintain an indoor magical worm composting bin that turns green waste into rich dark soil!

Cost for delegates: Free

Bee-autiful Bees! Exploring Urban Beekeeping

Robin Sundstrom & Michelle Wolfson

Thinking about keeping bees in the city? We will tell you EVERYTHING you need to know — and point you in the right directions if you just want to be a pollinator steward. From swarms to sweets!

Cost for delegates: Free

Urban Chicken Coops

Rick Kool & Darlene Litman

Think chickens are only egg-producing machines? No way! Chickens can become part of the family. What other pet gives you breakfast?! Do you have questions about keeping backyard chickens? Or experience in keeping backyard chickens?
Share your experiences, with Darlene (who knows a lot) and Rick (who knows nothing). We’re open to chatting about chickens!

Cost for delegates: Free

Soir de bière en français!

Marie-Élaine Desmarais, Rhéa Rocque et Tyler Ganes

Participez à une dégustation de bières guidée tout en discutant de l’intersection entre la viabilité et la bière.

Frais pour les délégué.e.s : Coût de la bière

Provisions

Dans le cadre de cette activité, si vous désirez participer à la dégustation de bière guidée par un maître brasseur, on vous invite à vous procurer ces 3 types de bières de votre région: 

  • une Pale Ale
  • une Lager (pâle)
  • une bière au choix

On découvrira ensemble comment les différents ingrédients nuancent le goût de la bière. On discutera aussi (de façon bien légère) des enjeux environnementaux liés à la bière et on terminera par une période de discussion et de questions. Au plaisir de vous y retrouver!