Every summer since 2005, the Conseil Régional de l'Environnement de Montréal heads the Green Patrol programme on the island of Montreal. This patrol of students zigzags the streets of Montreal neighbourhoods on foot or by bike throughout the summer in order to increase environmental awareness and encourage the citizens to adopt environmentally sound lifestyles.

In the West-Island, SOS Planete has been managing the patrols of Pierrefonds-Roxboro and île Bizard/Ste-Geneviève since 2006, in 2007 the cities of Beaconsfield and Kirkland joined the programme and in 2008 it was in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and this year, it will be Dollard-des-Ormeaux ‘s turn to take on the challenge! The patrols who work all summer, cover a multitude of mandates which can vary according to the year and the needs of the city or borough it is assigned to. Essentially, the patrols cover subjects ranging from waste management, to climate change, ecological gardening to water and energy conservation.

The West-Island is a large territory and an awareness campaign of this magnitude is only at its beginning in contrast to the rest of Montreal where the Éco-quartier network has been at work for more than 10 years. Their presence is therefore of great importance, contributing to the environmental education of the West-Island citizens year after year and creating a positive and progressive impact in the sectors covered.

We are happy to say that the programme continues again in 2009. To know more about your Green patrol during the 2009 season, or if you wish to have a green patrol in your municipality, contact us!

Door to door

The Green Patrol accomplished numerous door-to-door visits within the 4 towns and boroughs. During these visits, the Patrol has given out Montreal brochures on pesticides, on ecological gardening and the Clean Home and Green Garden guide. The Patrol proposed a blue bin to the citizens who didn't recycle yet. Beyond the outreach on subjects like recycling and ecological gardening, the patrol also discussed such issues as composting, water and rain water conservation as well as the activities and products available at the Pierrefonds-Roxboro Éco-quartier.

Information kiosks

The Green Patrol organized kiosks to inform and to do citizen outreach and awareness on issues such as recycling, the naked, not-far, natural and fair groceries, ecological maintenance of our lawns and gardens, composting, Éco-centres, the Heat Island effect, the No Idling campaign and energy conservation. These kiosks took place in busy public places such as public libraries, train stations, nature-parks and local shopping malls. Each kiosk reached approximately 100 people.

Summer camps and pools

The Green Patrol came up with and organized many outreach and educational games that they then delivered to kids in Day camps or at the public pool. These games were aimed to entertain the kids while making them be aware of our impact and relationship to the reat of the natural world, how to recycle and other facts on environmental issues.

Spécial evenings

The Green Patrol tied themselves to the already planned municipal and community events like movies and concerts in the park or they created thei own special event such as the spectacular Perseids meteor shower. They took advantage of these croud gathering events to reach out to the citizens on important issues on our environment and the simple actions we can all take to enjoy the events (and our daily lives) in a sustainable manner.

Bike Tours

The students of the Green Patrol also organized a network of interactive bike rides in their respective sectors with the goal of helping citizen from 5 to 65 years of age to discover all the available green spaces, parks and marvellous scenic routes that are at their fingertips. The cyclists who participated were given a special passport which guided them on their rides and enable them to locate the numerous check points of an interactive educational challenge and fun quizzes!

Total number of peoples reached by our activities

A grand total of more than 3000 homes were reached directly through the Green Patrols activities in two years!