In July 2006, Karyne Maisonneuve passed away from the secondary effects of cancer treatment. She was only eight years old. In her memory, and in an effort to refocus their grief, her parents and three siblings launched Poject Karyne, a renewable energy project serving the surrounding communities of Ottawa, ON.

Working in partnership with Gisèle-Lalonde High School, Project Karyne raises awareness about local, regional and national environmental challenges and promotes environmental action to students, teachers, parents and the local community. To date, the team has installed six solar panels and a 35’ windmill on school grounds, hosted solar boar and car races, created a specialized environmental program for students, expanded the compost program, and have encouraged hundreds of students to support a healthier environment. The next phase of Project Karyne is building a self-sufficient solar greenhouse on the school grounds of Gisèle-Lalonde, featuring:

• Straw bale walls and insulating blinds
• Rain water recycling and ground source air conditioning
• Passive solar energy storage and hot water systems.

 

The greenhouse not only creates positive environmental awareness, but supports local charities and food banks by donating all produce and vegetables grown in the greenhouse back to the community.

To recommend your own green leader to be featured on the Viva Green Living microsite, email us at letters@vivamagonline.com with 200 words (and a picture!) of your eco hero. Make sure to include your hometown and name as well.