Protecting the Environment

Protecting the Environment

Protecting the environment becomes Rotary's seventh area of focus, which are categories of service activities supported by Rotary International. It joins promoting peace; fighting disease; providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; saving mothers and children; supporting education; and growing local economies

Kitchener Rotary has been busy over our many years undertaking a wide variety of projects which have given our members and friends of Rotary numerous opportunities to improve and enhance our environment. Our flagship project is the ongoing maintenance of the Dom Cardillo Trail, in honour of Dominic Cardillo, a past president of our club. This is an event that includes a walk of the trail while collecting garbage.  The spring event is scheduled to support the world wide UN sponsored Earth Day celebrations each year on April 22.

Other environmental activities undertaken by the Club over the years have included:

  • Tree planting at a variety of City of Kitchener locations with City of Kitchener staff;

  • Tree planting at the Spring Valley Trout Farm, New Dundee;

  • Trail maintenance at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Regional Museum;

  • Serving soup in support of the Soup Fest event celebrating World Water Day, March 22nd each year;

  • Involvement in the KW Chamber of Commerce Environmental Sustainability Awards;

  • Maintenance of the Rotary International Peace Park at RIM Park in Waterloo;

  • Tree planting in support of Earth Day with the City of Kitchener and other property owners;

  • Support of the Victoria Park Christmas Lights program; and

  • Hosting speakers in our weekly meetings to discuss various environmental related matters

  • Creation of our RotaryofKW Water Celebration video "Water our Lifeline" Shared here WATER OUR LIFELINE

The number and variety of opportunities to serve the environment are many, but the workers are few. While public opinion may believe that the maintenance of the urban environment in which we live and work is primarily the responsibility of municipalities, as Rotarians we believe that this is part of our role as stewards of the environment, with our mantra of Service Above Self.

All are welcome and encouraged to participate by attending, or supporting those who attend the environmental events organized by the club, along with the time of fellowship that is commonly part of celebrating the completion of yet another step in enhancing our environment that we call home.