Advocates for Local Living (ALL) works to support and inspire a thriving sustainable Fernie community. ALL projects are coordinated by an incredible variety of enthusiastic volunteers, as a project of the Wildsight Elk Valley Branch.

OUR STORY....

It all began in 2004 at Columbia Basin Trust's Leaders of Tomorrow Conference. Fernie participants, facilitators, and coordinators continued the excitement of this environmental based conference through monthly potluck meetings which began to address local issues. Inspired by BALLE - the Business Association of Local Living Economies http://www.ballebc.com, this group of energized young Fernie-ites decided to take action and formed the Advocates for Local Living (ALL).

Focused on making a positive impact, ALL envisions a thriving, affordable and inclusive community engaged in creating a local economy that evolves in balance with social and environmental values. The group works to encourage this through education, advocacy and events. Supported administratively by Wildsight - Elk Valley Branch, and successful in securing funding from Columbia Basin Trust and the City of Fernie, ALL has brought many exciting and refreshing events to our community.

The first priority of ALL was addressing the importance of shopping locally. Partnering with the Chamber of Commerce to coordinate the “Think Local First” Coalition, ALL encouraged the community to take into consideration the power of their shopping and spending decisions. ” Welcome to Winter” 2005 Christmas light-up found three members of the Think Local First Coalition on the performance stage outside the Arts Station, and rhyming their way into people's hearts. The ”Think Local, Buy Local, Be Local” logo began to be seen throughout the community on local business owners' doors, on shoppers' hemp bags, and on a local shopper's discount guide.

Now members of the Relocalize Network http://www.relocalize.net, ALL also works towards taking action in our community to address the implications of peak oil. Relocalization is a movement that supports the production of local goods and services while also making a firm commitment to reducing consumption and improving environmental and social conditions. In this way communities begin to develop a greater degree of economic self-reliance and a stronger sense of community.

2006 saw the creation of the Think Tank Cinema Series at the Arts Station. These well-attended cinematic events offered a great selection of thought provoking films followed by scintillating discussion. These by-donation events were a great success and continue to entertain. All films are donated to the Fernie Heritage Library after screening.

Inspired by the Think Tank Cinema 2006 discussion about the film ” End of Surburbia”, the group obtained funding to build the website FernieRideBoard.com. A free ride sharing website, FernieRideBoard.com helps to connect people moving in the same direction so they can arrange to share a vehicle. Launched in January 2007, Fernie's online hitching spot allows you to save money, conserve energy and have an adventure. FernieRideBoard.com is a made-in-Fernie solution that contributes to the reduction in fossil-fuel use and brings together members of the community.

This same winter season the Think Local First Coalition launched the Community Coupon Book, aimed to raise local awareness and encourage community self-reliance. This snazzy little book offered over 40 zesty coupons and came with its own carabiner to conveniently clip the book to your favorite shopping bag. Promoting the tremendous benefits of shopping locally, and working to support an economically thriving, dynamic and vibrant Fernie, this little book packed a punch. The 500 printed were sold out before winter's end.

2007 also saw the first Green Drinks hosted by ALL. This casual evening get together is now hosted seasonally at various locations throughout town, and has highlighted local initiatives including Coal Bed Methane extraction, the Fernie Wellness Fair, Community Currency, and the Community Eco Garden. Through funding from the City of Fernie and Columbia Basin Trust, we were able to host Local Living events including the Dandelion celebration at the Relay for Life and Apple celebration (including a Bake off and Best Apple in Fernie contest) at the Taste of Fernie.

Continuing to work towards a more sustainable Fernie community, 2008 found ALL volunteers researching community currencies and after extensive research and preparation launching a pilot project of a timebanks system. After taking a year off from the Community Coupon book to assess how to improve this project, we launched the new and improved version just in time for the winter holiday season. We continued to host and streamline our previous projects including Fernie Rideboard, Think Tank Cinema and Local Living celebrations.

ALL meets regularly and is open to new ideas and new members. Please contact us or come to our next Think Tank Cinema event to talk about how you can help make a difference in our community.