News & Events

HERITAGE MATTERS: Conversations in Conservation

Session #1 – Understanding Heritage: Your Guide to Conservation – Tuesday, Oct. 24 | 6:30pm-8:30pm

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Join us for an introduction to the principles of heritage conservation with Marina Smirnova, Heritage Planner for the Town of Cobourg. This session has broad relevance for owners of heritage properties, real estate and construction professionals, and the interested public. Important topics include the importance of heritage conservation and its positive impact on communities, and the designation process and what it means for owners of heritage properties.

Session #2 – Heritage Building Blocks (Part 1): Stones, Bricks, and Mortar – Tuesday, Nov. 7 | 6:30pm-8:30pm

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Learn about the art and science of heritage masonry with Chris Boot from Historic Brick Company and Daniel Arellano from Arcana Restoration.

Many historic buildings are constructed with limestone, clay brick, stone, and similar materials. Understanding their unique properties is essential for the preservation of these valuable heritage resources. In this session, you’ll gain valuable insights into the world of heritage masonry restoration and learn about the particular needs of historic masonry and best practices for restoration, including appropriate materials and methods.

Session #3 – Heritage Building Blocks (Part 2): A Hands-on Guide to Heritage Materials – Tuesday, Nov. 21 | 6:30pm-8:30pm

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Dive into the world of heritage materials with Tom Plue from SkyHigh Restoration. In this interactive session, you’ll gain an understanding of traditional building materials, including wood, stone, brick, and mortars. Learn how to assess their condition, select compatible materials for repairs, and ensure their longevity while preserving their historical value. Join us for hands-on experiences and the chance to interact with material samples, bringing heritage conservation to life.

Did You Know?

Adopting sustainable practices, whether large or small, can have significant impacts in the long run. If every office worker in the United Kingdom used one less staple a day by using a reusable paper clip, 120 tonnes of steel would be saved in one year.

So far in 2022, Depave Paradise has depaved 15 asphalt pavements! Since 2012 this group has completed 80 projects across 32 Canadian cities covering 76,384 square metres of unused paved surfaces into beautiful community green spaces with native grasses, flowers and trees. What an amazing sustainable action to capture carbon, a Greenhouse gas, and create a welcoming ecological ‘paradise’ for our monarchs and bees and of course, for us. Well done. This is a project of Green Communities Canada.

In 1993, the Convention on Biological Diversity put the precautionary principle to work.

In 1987, the Brundtland Report consolidated decades of work on sustainable development.

The First World Climate Conference happened in 1979 and opened up the science of climate change.

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." - Anne Frank