Health and Happiness

26 January 202626 January 2026

A feathered visitor draws much attention to our backyard

Who knew that one little bird, the size of a sparrow could create such a stir. It all started this past Wednesday when we looked out our kitchen window to see a woman, carrying a camera with a lens as long as a bus, taking pictures over our backyard fence. She wasn’t a stranger. We’d chatted with her often while on our twice daily walks, always carrying her camera, ready to take pictures of birds and animals that she saw along the way. But that day was different. She seemed very excited as she waved at us. Dayle went out on the deck to ask her what she was doing. It turns out she had sighted a Spotted Towhee, scratching for food under a forsythia bush in our yard.

18 January 202618 January 2026

Be a Part of Something Big – Join the Brampton Environmental Alliance

An appeal written by BEA youth council member Srishti Rao

Do you believe in a cleaner, healthier, more environmentally sustainable Brampton?
Imagine a city where we can protect green spaces, reduce waste, promote healthier lifestyles, and work together on environmental solutions that matter?

Look no further, it’s…

22 December 20258 January 2026

Building a Healthy and Connected Bramalea wraps up another year

Since 2020, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has teamed with City of Brampton, the Federal Government’s Healthy Communities Initiative, and United Way, to fund projects in Bramalea’s K, E, and F sections as part of the Bramalea Sustainable Neighbourhood Action Plan (SNAP). More background about the Bramalea SNAP project can be found in a previous post.

15 December 202521 December 2025

Do we need fewer Conservation Authorities in Ontario?

The Ontario government is once again proposing sweeping changes to Provincial Conservation Authorities. Since the PC Party of Ontario came to power in 2019 it has passed several pieces of legislation limiting the powers of Ontario’s conservation authorities. This latest proposal represents the most significant change to date. Why should you care?

6 December 20258 January 2026

Peel Region’s Biodiversity and Climate Change Strategy

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth in all its forms from single celled bacteria to complex organisms, to complete ecosystems. We depend on vibrant and healthy ecosystems to sustain us. According to the United Nations over 1/2 of global GDP is dependent on nature and over 1 billion people rely on forests for their livelihoods. Many millions more rely on the oceans for seafood and on pollinator organisms to grow crops.

24 November 20258 January 2026

COP 30: Canada’s Progress on Climate Commitments

Reflections on Achievements and Next Steps After the 2025 UN Climate Summit

Introduction

The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP 30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), concluding in Belém, Brazil on November 21, 2025, marked a pivotal moment in the global response to climate change. This year’s summit brought together world leaders, scientists, Indigenous representatives, and civil society to review progress, set new targets, and accelerate climate action. For Canadians concerned about the environment and our country’s international commitments, COP 30 offered both milestones and ongoing challenges in the journey towards a sustainable future.

17 November 202517 November 2025

BEA participates in School Parent Night

On October 29th, BEA members Rajbalinder and Aneet were at Harold M. Brathwaite Secondary School in support of their community engagement event that included parent interviews. Harold M. Brathwaite is a school of approximately 1,700 students with programs including: International Baccalaureate (IB), Specialist High Skills Major in Justice and Business Studies, International Student Program, Developmental Disabilities Program.

Aneet and Rajbalinder attend a community night at Harold M. Brathwaite SS.

17 November 202517 November 2025

TMU’s School of Medicine Community Fair!

Gunjan, Dayle, and David spent the afternoon this past Wednesday connecting with TMU’s very first cohort of medical students — an inspiring group with deep passion for how climate and the environment shape both physical and mental health.

3 November 20253 November 2025

Repair Café: Fostering Sustainability Through Community, Advocacy and Legislation

Members of BEA and Plant Based Treaty with Caledon Councillor Early

Over the years, I’ve gained a reputation in my family for fixing things. Often, just a good cleaning or tightening a loose bolt is all that’s required to get an old appliance running like new. It turns out it is more about having the courage, (or stupidity) to take things apart and the patience to figure out how to put them back together again, than it is about knowledge or skill. I sometimes end up with an extra screw or two that I don’t know what to do with but if it works, what the heck!

27 October 202529 October 2025

BEA Attends School Community Events

Ghazanfar, Yarim, Gunjan, and Rajbalinder attend Community Open House at W.G. Davis SPS

Members of the BEA attended two school community events earlier this month.

Gunjan, Noura Bacon, Yarim, Bill attend WG David SPS Community Open House event — BEA members, Gunjan, Yarim, Bill, pose with Noura from W.G. Davis SPS

On October 8th, Ghazanfar, Yarim, Gunjan, and Rajbalinder attended the W. G. Davis Senior Public School Open House. One-Planet Living and Plant-Based Treaty were among the topics discussed with students and parents.