The Okanagan Greens Society is an award-winning non-profit organization based in Kelowna and supporting projects in British Columbia's Southern Interior. We are a non-partisan collective of citizens and community advocates that formed in 2005 and officially incorporated as a non-profit society in February 2008. Our mission statement is: "Working together in our community for a healthy environment, happy people and a sustainable local economy." We achieve our community outreach by producing and partnering in unique events, vibrant celebrations, and specialized media focused on Okanagan environmental, social and economic awareness.
The Okanagan Greens' projects are:
1. The Annual Organic Okanagan Festival - The Okanagan's Finest Green Living Exposition.
2. Conduit/Ecotone - A successful partner event with a live showcase of emerging and established artists, featuring: installation art, sculpture, eco-activism, crafts, musical performances, literature, heirloom organic seeds, gourmet local and organic faire, fire spinners, story tellers, slam poets, and key note speakers.
3. Kelowna's monthly Green Drinks gatherings.
4. The Buy Local! Buy Fresh! Okanagan Map - Your Year Round Map & Guide to Local Food in the Okanagan Valley
As a Society we have supported a diverse range of Kelowna community initiatives including: the GE food labeling “Food Warning” event with Greenpeace and launching the 2008 pilot project of the Okanagan Greens - Local Food for Local Schools program. As well, we have been a gift sponsor and/or host partner for numerous keynote presentations including: UBCO's World Film Festival, an evening with Spring Gillard, Percy Schmeiser's 2009 Okanagan Speaking Tour and the 350 Climate Action presentation.
The Okanagan Greens Society is structured with no membership fees and by hosting the Kelowna Green Drinks gatherings every month we regularly touch base and communicate with over 750 OGS members at large.
The Okanagan Greens' board members are:
Angela Reid-Nagy - CEO, GreenStep
Courtney Bouchard - Co - founder
Wendy Wright - Okanagan Greens Society founder and Organic Okanagan Festival Director
Our permanent volunteer staff:
Shayne Wright - Communications & Technology Consultant, MA, Community Culture and Global Studies, UBC Okanagan
Elana Westers - Volunteer Coordinator, Founder Growing Inspired
Gabe Cipes - Conduit/Ecotone Director, Artist, Summerhill Organics & Wildcrafting, Demeter Certified Bio Dynamic Grower
We host our annual events with a dedicated team of 30-40 volunteers, many who have helped out from the very beginning in 2006. We are forever grateful for this support from the Okanagan Valley community.
If you are interested in working with the Okanagan Greens Society on a project or event please read more about our Partner Program here.
