Sunday, February 15, 2009

Fernie Fun!







Here are some pics from our couple days in Fernie....from snowshoeing adventures to railway riding with our "green" t-shirts... sooo enjoy!
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6 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 15, 2009 at 4:22 PM

    You girls are too cute! Trekin around there looks like so much fun! Our snow is gone - Yes I am ready for spring!

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  2. AnonymousFebruary 15, 2009 at 11:28 PM

    Might I point out a couple things, that while not necessarily making your trip "greener" would make it more "sustainable":
    Fernie is a small community. The people of the area work hard to make ends meet, and as a growing resort community, it is becoming harder and harder for the small local businesses to survive with the onslaught of national chains and "Big Box" stores. You mention that you brought your groceries from home. I find 2 dilemmas with this:

    First, since your vehicle is heavier, you will have burnt more petroleum fuel transporting your groceries from Saskatoon. Second, while the local grocery stores are not "locally" owned, they do employ local people. By not purchasing your food locally, you are contributing to the "resort effect". This is the effect of non-residents using the local resources for their enjoyment, but not contributing to the sustainability and viability of the community that you so enjoy. When "visitors" do not make purchases locally, the local businesses are no longer viable. This leads to the closing of shops, and the eventual demise of the community as no one can find work, and therefore afford to live in town. As the saying goes, "Buy Local, Be Local."

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  3. AnonymousFebruary 16, 2009 at 8:36 AM

    Dirty Hairy, Good Post
    Regarding your comments
    ----
    "Buy Local, Be Local."

    I think it would be difficult to instill this sort of mentality into visitors when they are coming from all over the world and for some of them it is their first visit to Canada. Some might not even know what products/stores are local. Also, many visitors are primarily in search of comfort and convenience. Do you think the government and/or local building authorities have a largest role to play in resort development, or should we let the free market decide? Because we know what the free market has decided in other resort locations.

    On the footprint note, do you think a local coffee shop is more environmentally friendly than a national chain? (such as Tim Horton's or Starbucks). Probably, but will people choose to buy their coffee when there is a Timmy's across the street?

    Perhaps it isn't the government policies that need changing but more of a grassroots approach? Not sure...

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  4. AnonymousFebruary 16, 2009 at 8:57 AM

    Thanks sooo much for your comments! We have had a great time in Fernie, and have been learning lots! Dirty Hairy, we had only brought enough food to get through the trip so we didn't have to buy from convenience stores along the way. Since we got here, we have been purchasing all of our goods from the local stores in town! Everybody wins! We wish we could be local to Fernie, but for now we will buy local, and enjoy all it has to offer!
    And Deelon thank you for those thoughts as well... it is always difficult to tell whether the local or national chain is more environmentally friendly... but by asking questions like where are your products from, are they community trade, organic, do they provide re-usable cups etc. And if you're on the train with Dirty Hairy, which one employs more locals? All these can help you in your decision making process.

    Thanks guys, Keep up the dialogue it's the only way to learn!

    Sincerely, Heather and Chanel

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  5. AnonymousFebruary 16, 2009 at 4:13 PM

    Dirty Hairy, right on brother, right on.

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  6. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2009 at 9:01 PM

    Great job girls!!!!!
    I love your open mindedness(is that a word?)
    We all have so much to learn
    and the key is growing green together.
    You make a differnce:)
    God bless you

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