A group the focuses on the environment and education is meeting this weekend at the International Peace Garden south of Boissevain.

The Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication (EECOM) is Canada’s only national, bilingual, and charitable network for environmental learning.

“We are thrilled to have this gathering at our facility's” said Peace Garden CEO Garry Enns.

EECOM 2016 aims to provide educators with new hope and ideas, new tools and resources, and will look at the choices we can make to make this culture of change a reality.

“They have lots of speakers and musical entertainment and the public is invited to attend the keynote speakers.”

The conference is centered around four main themes:

Waste Minimization: We have all made great strides to prevent and recycle waste. Schools, municipalities, industries, businesses, institutions and the public have all embraced waste prevention and recycling, helping to reduce the amount of solid waste going to landfill. Despite our efforts, there is still much work to be done! How can we change our culture to reduce our consumption, reuse, recycle, compost?

Climate Change and Energy: COP23 in Paris was about Climate Change and, ultimately was about the change(s) we are prepared to make to provide hope for future generations. How can we educate citizens to reduce our energy consumption to reduce our carbon footprint? How do we challenge people to seek out energy-efficient strategies in their own lives, at home, in their businesses and in the schools?

Food Security: Access to healthy, affordable food is an important issue that can greatly affect the health of families. How can we support healthy lifestyles, communities, and environments? We have done so by growing our own food, eating local foods, by supporting farmers who use sustainable practices, and by increasing food education. How can we change our culture to help children, youth and citizens learn about and take action toward good food for all? How can we encourage food security education in your communities?

Water Security: Water issues are big issues! Without water there would be no seas, lakes, rivers, grasslands, or forests. We would have no fish or wildlife. There would be no hydro power, manufacturing, crops, jobs, or food. Without water there would be no cities, towns, cultures, families, or people. There would be no life without water. What can we do in communities to promote water conservation, awareness and action? We have done water audits. We have installed water-efficient devices and we have eliminated unnecessary water use. What can we do change our culture to value water more and promote conservation and efficiencies?

The program started with registration on Thursday and ends on Saturday evening with a banquet.