Presentation and Workshops on Sunday April 26th

With less than a month left to go, the workshops and presentations are now set and scheduled for the upcoming 17^th Annual Sustainability Fair and EV Show.  This free event is returning with a showcase of our local businesses and community groups, a Greening Your Home space, and Electric Vehicle show. 

 We begin at 10am with Registered Herbalist Rebecca Graves to discuss the local wild and medicinal herbs that can be harvested in the spring.  Wild herbs are abundant, low-impact, and a simple way to support your health while living more sustainably. Join Rebecca to learn how to identify a few common spring plants, explore their traditional uses and nutritional benefits, and discover easy ways to incorporate them into everyday life. This session is perfect for anyone curious about natural health, sustainability, or connecting with the world around them.

 At 11am, Dr. Jackie Schoemaker Holmes, Program Manager for the Housing Accelerator Fund program for the Municipality of North Grenville, will provide details on the “Additional Residential Unit” (ARU) Initiative.  The ARU offers a one-time federal grant of $25,000 (increased from $10,000 as of October 2025) (plus applicable building permit fees) and three municipally approved ARU architectural designs to help reduce some of the financial and design barriers to this kind of development on existing residential properties.  ARUs are an important addition to the current housing mix for the building and maintenance of healthy and vibrant communities.

 At 12pm, we welcome Terry Luchies from TLC Solar who will provide information on residential solar and battery back-up solutions to lower your electricity costs and improve your resilience to power failures.  Terry has been involved in the solar industry for over 17 years beginning with off-grid installations and then the MicroFIT program in the early 2000s. Terry is a Master Licensed Electrician who leads a team that provides complete, expert solar solutions to our community.

 At 1pm, SNG’s Jeff Goodman will provide an overview of electric vehicle (EV) ownership with a focus on costs and addressing the usual questions with additional emphasis on the new points of curiosity now being expressed as fuel prices rise and people are increasingly conscious of emissions.  Hear about how costs compare, often favourably, for EVs when you rely on your vehicle to commute and live in communities like ours.

 Our 2pm presentation will see Derek Matheson from Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) sharing information on programs and funding available to landowners. Derek will also share information on their new initiatives and a brief update on the proposed changes to the Conservation Authorities Act.

 In addition, we will have a presentation in the arena by Mitchell Langford from Valley Sports to show you how to keep your bike in peak condition with an essential maintenance and inspection session.  Keep your ride safe and smooth with brake and tire checks, and e-bike care routines.

 Come join us at the Municipal Centre on Sunday April 26 from 10am to 3pm for this free event for the whole family.  The presentations above will take place in the theatre each hour on the hour.