Everything is Connected
A rain barrel stores rain water. A biofilter creates possibilities. Over the next few days I’ll be building the next piece of my home rainwater system—not in a laboratory, but in my own backyard. The goal isn’t simply to filter water. It’s to discover how a collection of simple ideas can work together to create […]
From Rainwater… to Living Water Read More »
Building Momentum, One Project at a Time Hello everyone, I hope you’re enjoying the summer and finding a little time to get outside. July has been another exciting month for Sustainable Life. Sustainable Life Newsletter – July 31, 2026. More people are asking questions, sharing ideas, and reaching out to become involved. That’s exactly how
Sustainable Life Newsletter – July 31, 2026 Read More »
Organics A sustainable community isn’t built from projects. It’s built from connected systems where one person’s output becomes another person’s opportunity. In Diamond Valley, the question isn’t whether we care about waste — it’s what we do with it here, together. And right now, students and makers are proving something powerful: the most valuable materials
From Food Scraps to Local Startups: Diamond Valley’s Organics Circular Economy Read More »
Many of today’s biggest challenges aren’t isolated problems—they’re connected. This article introduces systems thinking and explores why understanding those connections may be the key to building stronger, more resilient communities.
Why Systems Thinking May Be the Most Important Skill of the 21st Century Read More »
Looking Beyond Today’s Decisions July’s Council meeting was the final meeting held in the current Council Chambers before the Town begins another chapter of amalgamation by relocating to its new facilities. In many ways, the meeting reflected that same theme—moving forward while continuing to make decisions that will shape Diamond Valley for many years. Several
Diamond Valley Council Watch – July 15, 2026 Read More »
After all the recent rain, I noticed someone in our community asking where they could find the current flow rate for the Sheep River before taking their kids swimming. I thought it was such a good question that it deserved its own post. The first photograph below was taken during a previous high-water event. Overnight,
Before You Head to the Sheep River… Check This First Read More »
Thank you to everyone who stopped by the Griffith’s Centre for another successful Diamond Valley Repair Café! By the numbers: *37 community members**attended. *70% of repair attempts were successful*, giving many items a new lease on life. An estimated *$275*was saved in replacement costs and service technician fees. Our *Trade Day* helped keep useful items
July 11 Repair Café – Community Impact Read More »
A cardboard box arrives in our community carrying something we wanted. Within minutes of being opened, it becomes something we no longer want. That change has nothing to do with the cardboard. It happens entirely in the way we see it. The box may have travelled hundreds or even thousands of kilometres. Trees were grown
A Cardboard Box Is Not Waste: It Is Part of a Community System Read More »
Microgrids let communities produce, store, and manage energy locally — keeping key services running during outages and reducing winter peak costs. This deep dive explores what microgrids are and what they could mean for small communities like Diamond Valley.
Microgrids & Resilient Community Power: Bringing Energy Home Read More »
Sustainable Sites Looks at the Land Before Drawing the Building In Part 1, we introduced the Sustainable Sites category within LEED and explored why thoughtful site design matters—not only for the environment, but for healthier, more resilient communities. This time, I’d like to take a tour through the six Sustainable Sites credits and show how
LEED Sustainable Sites Part 2: A Tour Through the Six Credits Read More »