If we could spend all of our day outside in nature, we would. When we have free time that’s where we spend it, and it’s so important that it’s preserved. We want future generations to see and appreciate its beauty, and we want wildlife to thrive in healthy habitats for years to come. We’re very fortunate to live in a place with so much wilderness. British Columbia is home to vast mountain ranges, lush rainforests, dry grasslands and endless coastlines. It is rich in diversity and home to many unique ecosystems thanks to its moderate, often rainy, climate and distinct vegetation. We love this province we get to call home, and we want to help protect it so that we can all continue to enjoy its wonders.

This spring Healthy Hooch Kombucha is releasing a new seasonal flavour, Passion Fruit! 5% of total proceeds will be donated to The Nature Trust of British Columbia to help conserve the landscapes we cherish. Keep reading to find out more about this incredible organization and the work they do.

About The Nature Trust of British Columbia

The Nature Trust of British Columbia is British Columbia’s leading non-profit land conservation organization. The organization is dedicated to protecting BC’s unique and diverse ecosystems. Beginning in 1971, they now protect and manage more than 500 properties throughout British Columbia.

The Nature Trust of British Columbia acquires land through direct purchase, donations, conservation covenants and by land lease or license. It’s then restored and maintained to protect habitats rich in biodiversity that are at risk of being lost. By preserving these vulnerable habitats they’re also saving a whole host of plant and animal species that are in danger because of low or declining populations.

Why is Land Conservation Important?

Land conservation is when the land is kept in its natural state or restored back to its original form. This is important because it protects the biodiversity within an area. Biodiversity is the variety of life, including different species of animals, fish, plants, trees and more, in a habitat or ecosystem.

More than 50,000 species live in British Columbia because of the diverse ecosystems, however, of the species that have been assessed, 43% are now at risk due to habitat destruction. Put plainly, we are essentially to blame for this, but we also have the power to change it. Our population has been growing rapidly in recent years, and with that, the need for more development. Homes, shopping centres, schools and roads are being built over farmlands, fields and forests, destroying the natural habitat that once existed there.

The problem with habitat destruction is that we rely on those ecosystems. We get a lot of our resources like timber, fish, minerals, agricultural products and water from our ecosystems. Species in these ecosystems are also responsible for things like pollination, soil fertilization and pest control. Healthy ecosystems give us basic life necessities. They are what keep our air and water clean, regulate climate and temperature, and provide us with food. We depend on them for the economy and our survival.

How Can You Help With Land Conservation?

Protecting the delicate ecosystems in our province starts with us. There are many ways to help with land conservation.

Protect Your Land and the Lands You Visit

Don’t use pesticides or fertilizers on your property. They are harmful to wildlife and aquatic life; instead, opt for natural solutions. There are natural DIY options that are just as effective as synthetic ones and will keep you and the environment safe. Some of the best homemade fertilizers are probably sitting in your compost right now!

Keep an eye on your pets when they are outside. They can cause problems for the wildlife especially if there are wetlands nearby.

Conserve water in your home. It saves you money and takes less water from our rivers, bays and estuaries.

Plant trees and plants on your property. It helps the environment by attracting more wildlife and improves their habitats. It also enhances water quality on your property if you have streams or ponds while protecting groundwater supply.

If you spend time outdoors, you may have heard of the phrase “leave no trace” before. It’s referring to the practices we should follow to protect our natural ecosystem. When visiting parks, hiking trails, lakes and rivers, you can minimize your impact by following these seven principles. Plan ahead and prepare, travel and camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impact, respect wildlife and be considerate of other visitors.

Volunteer

There are several volunteer programs throughout British Columbia. You can help with clean up in backcountry areas, plant trees and habitat restoration. The Nature Trust of British Columbia puts on Volunteer events each year.

Donate to The Nature Trust of British Columbia

If you would like to donate to The Nature Trust of British Columbia, you can head over to their website. There are multiple ways to give from such as a one time donation, monthly donations, gifts through corporations, donations through partners and more. They also put on events, like their upcoming online auction, to which you can donate on auction items or bid on items.

Spread the Word

Tell people about The Nature Trust of British Columbia and the fantastic work they do! Continue to educate yourself on land conservation and spread the word.

A community is more than a geographical place. It’s a sense of belonging, it’s a sense of unity. As a team, when one member suffers, we all suffer, and this is why supporting our community is so important to us. When we have a society that looks out for one another, we create a healthy environment where everyone can thrive. There are so many variables in life and walking a mile in someone else’s shoes is impossible, but relating to the emotions carried along someone’s journey is something we can all do. So that’s why we feel it’s important to promote and support charities that are actively making a difference in our communities. It’s why we’re growing a business with a holistic approach, and attempting to leave the earth with more positives than negatives.

Our community supports us and it only makes sense that we share in that success as we grow.

Every year at Healthy Hooch Kombucha we release unique seasonal flavours and tie them to various local charities. For the past two years throughout November and December, we promote our seasonal flavour Cranberry + Ginger Spice + Everything Nice. 10% of sales from our seasonal are donated to Covenant House Vancouver, an amazing group that’s truly making an impact on our society. Covenant House provides support and services for youth experiencing homelessness. They have locations in Vancouver and Toronto but have locations in 29 other cities, in 6 different countries, worldwide. This is a charity we truly believe in and are proud to support. This blog is to share a bit more detail on the initiatives that make Covenant House stand out as a charity to support. Keep reading to learn more about their work and how you can help.

Helping Homeless Youth

Every year there are up to 40,000 youth experiencing homelessness across Canada. Many of these youth have aged out of foster care, left abusive home lives, escaped sex trafficking and exploitation, and have little in the way of support. They don’t have access to basic necessities. Covenant House provides support and services to at-risk youth and youth experiencing homelessness. Each location has room for autonomy and may have varied support services but all of them have the same core services: Community Support Services, Crisis Program and Rights of Passage program. Below are the services that Covenant House Vancouver provides.

Community Support Services

Outreach

Covenant House Vancouver’s street outreach team are the boots on the ground, reaching out to homeless youth and at risk youth aged 16-24. They offer food, hygiene products, minor medical and invite them to the drop in location for a shower and hot meal. They build trust and lasting relationships with youth on the streets and connect them with medical professionals or their Crisis Program.

Drop-In Center

The Drop-In Centre is where youth can be connected with youth care workers, counselling, addiction support, recovery programs, mental health services and housing support services. They also provide meals, showers, laundry, phone, mailing address, recreational activities and assist with finding employment. If going back home is an option for the youth, they can also offer financial assistance to get back home.

Crisis Program

The Crisis Program provides access to necessities like food, a safe place to sleep, and key supports to help young people gain their independence. There are 63 beds at the Vancouver facility where they can stay for free as long as they need, until they are ready to transition. Many apply to the Rights of Passage housing program after their stay.

Rights of Passage

The Rights of Passage Program is affordable housing while youth make the transition to independent living. Youth must meet the intake requirements and apply to the program, then commit to curfew and classes. They are provided with a fully furnished apartment until their 25th birthday. There is 24 hour support staff, case management, daily community dinners, celebrations, some groceries and recreational activities. The program teaches life skills like money management, cooking, goal setting, communication, and self care skills.

Additional Support Services

Covenant House helps keep homeless youth safe, mentally and physically, and allows them to rebuild their lives. They have a team of social workers that provide case management services tailored to the youth’s specific needs and traumas. They have housing support workers that help homeless youth learn life skills and find long term, safe, affordable, and independent housing. They provide spiritual support, mental health and addiction support and specialized support for LGBTQ2S+. 25-45% of homeless youth are LGBTQ2S+ and a common cause is family rejection. In 2014 Covenant House Vancouver partnered with the True Colors Fund to learn the best practices to serve LGBTQ2S+ youth so that they could better equip themselves and create a more inclusive program and environment.

How You Can Help

You can support Covenant House by direct cash donation or amazon wish list donations on their website. All donations go directly to youth to provide food, shelter, clothing and counselling. They also accept clothing, food, gifts and more. Head over to their website to learn more about how you can donate items as they do have some restrictions with Covid-19 when dropping off. There are a number of sleep out events that Covenant House puts on throughout the year. Individuals or organizations give up their bed for a night to raise money so homeless youth can have a bed, you can sign up on their website to participate in the next sleep out event. Additionally, there are corporate donations, DIY fundraising opportunities, school fundraising and volunteer work available.

Thank You For Your Support

This year because of your support, we raised 60% more funds for Covenant House Vancouver. The donation was then tripled thanks to the Triple Match Campaign put on by their supporting donors. We want to say a big thank you! Without you, this wouldn’t have been possible. We plan to bring back our seasonal flavour supporting Covenant House every year.