Squamish-Lillooet Regional District and Lillooet Learning Communities Society launch Diversion Ambassador Program in Area B

SLRD Electoral Area B — As part of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District's (SLRD) commitment to waste reduction, two Diversion Ambassadors in Electoral Area B are working to support and amplify community engagement in waste reduction efforts.

Working in partnership with the Lillooet Learning Communities Society and the team working at the Lillooet HUB in Lillooet, B.C., the initiative reflects both organizations' commitment to fostering a circular economy and supporting community development.

The Diversion Ambassador initiative has been providing outreach and education around waste reduction in the communities of Furry Creek, Britannia Beach, Squamish and Pemberton (Electoral Areas C and D) since 2023. Expanding the program within the District of Lillooet and Electoral Area B further strengthens the SLRD's goals of diverting waste from landfills, reducing recycling contamination and promoting sustainable practices across the region.

"Through the pilot program in collaboration with the Squamish Climate Action Network, we have seen the impact of delivering recycling and waste disposal in a face-to-face format that allows for in-depth conversations and the opportunity to ask questions," said Tony Rainbow, Electoral Area D Director. “We are excited to see this program grow in Area B, where we can continue to build awareness and provide waste reduction education to more SLRD residents.”

Electoral Area B and the surrounding area’s two Diversion Ambassadors are local youth who engage in community outreach, working closely with residents to educate and encourage participation in various waste diversion initiatives. This program supports environmental stewardship and provides valuable job skills and mentorship opportunities.

"Area B's Diversion Ambassadors have already started their important work, including appearances at the Lillooet Farmer's Market and the Apricot Festival and we welcome their visits to Lillooet and the surrounding area. This work at community events is a testament to the power of community engagement and the collective effort towards a sustainable future," said Vivian Birch-Jones, Electoral Area B Director. "This program is part of the SLRD's broader commitment to our solid waste reduction goals and implementing a strategic action plan to achieve them. Provincial waste reduction targets, landfill management, and the growing populations of residents and visitors to our communities within the SLRD underscore the need for such initiatives."

The Diversion Ambassadors will be at the Elder Connect Senior EXPO held in the REC Centre gym on Friday, October 25, 2024 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The SLRD's Solid Waste and Resource Management Plan (SWRMP) is the framework for managing solid waste across the SLRD. It outlines a comprehensive waste reduction, reuse, recycling, recovery, and residual management strategy. It provides clear directives for regional districts, residents, and businesses to achieve collective waste management goals while safeguarding public health and the environment.

The SLRD has made significant strides in waste diversion and management, with improved diversion rates through expanded recycling programs and community education efforts. The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District looks forward to continuing collaboration with Lillooet Learning Communities Society and the team working at the Lillooet HUB.

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About the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District 

Located in southwestern BC, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is a local government federation consisting of four member municipalities (the District of Lillooet, the District of Squamish, the Village of Pemberton and the Resort Municipality of Whistler) and four unincorporated, rural electoral areas (A, B, C, and D). Headquartered in Pemberton, which is the approximate geographic centre of the region, the SLRD delivers a wide range of local, regional and sub-regional services to approximately 50,496 residents (2021 Census).

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District is found within the traditional territories of several First Nations, including the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), St'át'imc and Líl’wat. Small parts of the SLRD also overlap with the traditional territories of the Stó:lō, Tsleil-Waututh, Nlaka'pamux, Tŝilhqot’in, and Secwepemc Nations. While the SLRD does not provide direct services to the residents of the First Nations communities located within the region, the organization is committed to enhancing relations with the Indigenous communities and First Nations within whose territories the SLRD operates.