Categories
Recruitment

Join the Board – Apply by July 27, 2024

Are you interested in community science?

Supporting projects that build
a vibrant, green and equitable city?

 

We are looking for new board members!

Apply by July 27!

 

Write a short bio and why you would like to join to [email protected]

Categories
Events

#Sipstainability May Event

May 21 | 6pm – 9pm

Longroof Brewing Co.
9916 72 Ave NW #104

Come join the Tomorrow Foundation for our inaugural event of the summer and find out what we have been doing!

For our first event, we are partnering with the Alberta Capital Airshed to talk all things related to air quality.

Find out what we have been working on with ACA and the University of Alberta on related air quality data projects. We have lots of information to help you navigate wildfire season as well as understand what data we are working on collecting relating to vehicle emissions, and community science projects you can get involved in.

This event is free and will be a drop-in style event for discussion and learning alongside interested folks.

We encourage you to sign up on Eventbrite so we can anticipate and track attendance, but it is not essential to sign up if you want to just drop in and have a beer!

 

This event in partnership with:

ACA logo

Categories
About

Join the Tomorrow Foundation Board!

Are you interested in joining a long-standing local organization that cares about the environment?
The Tomorrow Foundation for a Sustainable Future is looking for three new board members.

Experience not required, we are looking for enthusiastic people who are interested in making Edmonton a better place.

Submit a statement of interest to [email protected] by August 1, 2023.

Statement Requirements:

Your name
About yourself
Why are you interested in joining?
What is your environmental passion?
Any special talents you can contribute to the board?
Do you have an idea for a new project?

Board Member Duties and Opportunities

Tomorrow Foundation for a Sustainable Future (TFSF) should be governed by a diverse group of people who represent different areas, perspectives, and lived experiences within Edmonton. Being on the board of TFSF should be fulfilling and fun. We are a team of individuals who are concerned about the state of the world and are trying to make a positive contribution. TFSF board members make new friends, increase community connections, and get to know Edmonton better.

Board members can play several roles. At minimum, they provide governance. Governance duties include reading emails and documents to keep up-to-date on TFSF activities, attending board meetings, and voting on motions (and of course introducing motions if desired). Meeting motions can direct TFSF policy, allocate money, and direct and initiate projects. Meetings are monthly, and are held virtually via Google Meet, however, there are times when we meet in person. We currently meet on Tuesdays at 5:30 pm, but can be flexible if necessary.

Board members are elected for two-year terms. The Board may have between five and nine members. Board positions include a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary (these two roles may be combined into one) and Members-at-Large.

The Board has currently formed three committees: Air Quality, The Private Urban Forest and Publicity Committee. Joining these committees is optional, but this is where the main body of volunteer work is done. Given the limitations of TFSF resources, most of our projects would not be possible without volunteers, and our board members are some of our most passionate volunteers.

A board member may also be asked to represent TFSF on certain topics to the media or civic groups. For example, if a board member has expertise in electric vehicles (EVs), and TFSF puts out a recommendation on EV adoption within the city, the member may be asked to speak to the media about the issue.

Vision
All Edmontonians are empowered, connected, and engaged in building a vibrant, green, equitable city.

Mission
We believe in the power of many voices to bring about transformational change. We engage Edmontonians through projects and actions that provide them with the information, tools, and spaces needed to build connected, equitable communities, increase local environmental understanding, and promote environmental leadership at all levels.

Values

  • Equity is foundational for true environmental transformation.
  • Community is a driving force of change. Everyone has something to contribute.
  • There is joy and fun in what we do.
  • Humility. There is no perfect environmentalist.
  • Our work is informed by data and evidence.
  • Positive action creates energy. We say “yes” to good ideas.

 

Powers and Duties of the Board

The Board has the powers of the Foundation, except as stated in the Societies Act. The powers and duties of the Board include:

  • Determining the vision, mission, values and strategic directions of the Foundation, in accordance with the Objects of the Foundation;
  • Ensuring effective short term and long term planning;
  • Evaluating the programs and events of the Foundation;
  • Monitoring the operations and the finances of the Foundation;
  • Approving the budget(s) of the Foundation;
  • Creating and appointing committees and receiving, ratifying and acting upon reports of committees;
  • Making only such public statements that are consistent with the official policies of the Foundation;
  • Ensuring compliance with the Foundation’s bylaws and recommending changes where appropriate;
  • Complying with all legislation and regulations, civic, provincial and federal that apply to the Foundation;
  • Approving all contracts for the Foundation;
  • Appointing legal counsel as necessary.

More information: 

 …

Categories
Private Urban Forest

Private Tree Bylaw – June 14 2022

The Tomorrow Foundation for a Sustainable Future needs you! 

On June 14 at the Urban Planning Committee Item 6.2 “Tree Preservation on Private Property” will be presented to City Council.

It’s great that the City is acknowledging the importance of trees on private property, but we need direct action to protect this important resource. Residentially-owned trees account for 58% of Edmonton’s urban forest. The City has a goal of planting 2 million trees by 2050, but without a plan to protect the largest existing component of the City’s urban forest, we’re concerned that these plans may fall flat.

Trees provide so many climate benefits: they cool down our houses and neighbourhoods in summer, reduce stormwater runoff, and capture and store carbon. Mature trees are especially in need of protection, as a smaller replacement will take decades to reach the same impact. That is time we simply do not have. Right now mature trees are being lost to development and often no new trees are planted, even though zoning bylaws require it. So far communication and zoning regulations have not adequately protected mature trees, which is why
the Tomorrow Foundation supports Option One: A Private Tree Bylaw.

Let the City know that Edmontonians want direct action when it comes to tree preservation!

We need you to: 

Email or phone your city councillor
Email office of the city clerk ( [email protected])

Post about it on social media! Be sure to tag us at @tomorrowfdn on Twitter!
Sign up to speak to this item the day of to voice your support!…

Categories
About

Join the board! Apply by May 20, 2022

Are you interested in joining a local organization that cares about the environment?
The Tomorrow Foundation for a Sustainable Future is looking for new board members.
Experience not required, we are looking for enthusiastic people who are interested in making Edmonton a better place.

Submit a mini bio to [email protected] by May 20, 2022.

Our next Annual General Meeting is Friday May 27, 2022 where the decision will be made. Everyone welcome!

Mini Bio Requirements:

Your name
About yourself
Why you’re interested in joining

Board Member Duties and Opportunities

Tomorrow Foundation for a Sustainable Future (TFSF) should be governed by a diverse group of people that represents different areas and perspectives from within Edmonton.

TFSF board members can play several roles. At minimum, they provide governance. Governing the Foundation means reading emails, slack messages and documents to keep up-to-date on TFSF activities, attending board meetings, and voting on motions (and of course introducing motions if desired). Meeting motions can direct TFSF policy, allocate money, and direct and initiate projects. Meetings are held every 4 – 8 weeks.

The board is made up of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary (these roles may be combined into one) and Members-at-Large.

Optionally, board members can also contribute to TFSF operations. This can mean contributing to existing projects (like the Air Quality Community Science project) or initiating new ones. Given the limitations of TFSF resources, most of our projects would not be possible without volunteers, and some of our most passionate volunteers are our board members.

A board member may also be asked to represent TFSF on certain topics to the media or civic groups. For example, if a board member had expertise in electric vehicles (EVs), and TFSF put out a recommendation on EV adoption within the city, the member might be asked to speak to the media about the issue.

Being on the board of the TFSF should be fulfilling and fun. We are a team of individuals who are concerned about the state of the world and trying to make a positive contribution. TFSF board members make new friends, increase community connections, and get to know Edmonton better.

Vision
All Edmontonians are empowered, connected, and engaged in building a vibrant, green, equitable city.

Mission
We believe in the power of many voices to bring about transformational change. We engage Edmontonians through projects and actions that provide them with the information, tools, and spaces needed to build connected, equitable communities, increase local environmental understanding, and promote environmental leadership at all levels.

More information: 

Categories
Private Urban Forest Projects

Private Urban Forest Property Survey

Categories
Events Private Urban Forest

IDEA Presentation with The Private Urban Forest Project

Join us on Tuesday March 15, 2022 at 12pm MDT as we present

“How to Maximize Your Environmental Benefits Through Landscaping”

About this event

What you will learn about

  • Why and how the research was done
  • Different types of Environmental benefits
  • Tree and Landscaping Recommendations
  • Real Life Infill Stories

The Tomorrow Foundation for a Sustainable Future (TF) is a local Edmonton charity that obtained funding from the Alberta Real Estate Foundation and the Alberta EcoTrust to study trees on private property (the private urban forest) and their benefits to housing. The benefits were studied through a pilot project in the Queen Alexandra neighbourhood where tree data was collected to gain a better understanding of the kinds of trees present at a neighbourhood and property level. Part of this project was to understand how the private urban forest interacts with housing in a mature neighbourhood as the tree inventory is continuously changing through both tree plantings and removals. This webinar will provide information on the benefit of trees to property owners, the value of trees to home prices, and insights from interviews with developers and design architects. Ultimately the TF is interested in understanding how to support developers, property owners and the City to increase housing densification while also encouraging support for climate resilience and healthy communities. We hope you can join us for this engaging conversation.

Click here to RSVP on Eventbrite

Categories
Private Urban Forest

The Private Urban Forest Pop Up Exhibition!

Hello neighbour!

You might have noticed something special appearing on the Queen Alexandra boulevard trees – tree tags!

Trees are part of our everyday life which we often walk past and do not think too much about.

This exhibition intends to have you pause and consider the value of trees. It is also meant to help educate you about some of the challenges our boulevard trees are up against.

You might have noticed that there are a few repeat panels, so you don’t need to find each one or worry about missing out!

This exhibition is part of the Private Urban Forest project by the Tomorrow Foundation for a Sustainable Future. The exhibition is our way to say thank you for allowing us into your backyards to measure trees.

If you are not in Queen Alexandra, but would like to check out the tree tags, I suggest starting your journey at the Queen Alexandra Park 10722 73 Ave NW, Edmonton.

Feel free to use our hashtag #yegprivateforest or tag us on Twitter @tomorrowfdn 

If you would like your trees measured if you are in the Queen Alexandra neighbourhood or to learn more about the project, reach out to us at [email protected]

Categories
Events Private Urban Forest Projects

Tree Measuring Event: September 11

Barbara presenting to a group of volunteers

Are you passionate about trees?

Are you curious about the Private Urban Forest?

Come join us this Saturday to learn how to measure trees and collect data!
Feel free to bring a friend!

Location: Queen Alex Park 10722 73 Ave NW

Time: 2 pm – 5 pm

Bring: Water bottle, comfortable shoes, clothes you can work in.

When: Saturday, September 11

Covid precautions: Mask use is at your discretion. This event takes place outside.

Let us know you are coming by emailing [email protected]

Categories
Private Urban Forest Projects trees

Adventures in Tree Count Training – The Private Urban Forest

On a stormy Edmonton morning in August, we had our first training session for tree count volunteers! We arranged to meet in Queen Alex park at 10am and just at the stroke of 10, the heavens opened as a massive storm traveled overhead. We sheltered under the bandstand and watched as our hardy volunteers arrived – walking through the rain, thunder and lightning. We are so lucky to have such dedicated volunteers!
Rainy day at Queen Alex Park

As we waited out the storm, our resident tree expert Barbara was able to give us all some initial training and tips on identifying and measuring trees; showing us how to use the DBH tape, and the basics of leaf identification. She also gave a brief overview of the data collection table and how to map the tree locations.

Barbara presenting to a group of volunteers
Training tools

Once the storm had passed (after an hours’ wait!) we were able to enjoy some sunshine and put what we had learned into practice, identifying and measuring the trees in the park. We identified white and blue spruce, linden, elm, amongst many others! We did not have time to measure trees in the pilot area but now we have some trained volunteers, we can’t wait to get out there and finish gathering data on Edmonton’s Private Urban Forest!

Volunteers measuring