The executive director of Camp Kawartha says children who spend time outdoors are more likely to protect and care for the environment when they’re older.

That’s why educational programs, like the ones offered at the camp’s environment centre, are so important, he says.

“We’re here to teach kids about sustainability, about connecting with nature, and we want to do it in a fun and engaging way,” said Jacob Rodenburg.

He and Coun. Dean Pappas announced plans for Green-in-Motion, the camp’s annual fundraiser, at the centre on Wednesday.

Seeing the world from outer space is something people have dreamed about for generations. I recently came across a news story about a man from the U.K. who actually turned the dream into reality.

Robert Harrison, who describes himself as a computer geek, was hoping to acquire some images from high above the Earth. He expected nothing more then shots similar to those you would capture from an airplane -was he ever in for a shocker.

After spending about US$800 on equipment, Harrison launched a weather balloon above the English countryside with a digital camera he purchased from eBay and a GPS tracking unit to locate the balloon when it fell back to the earth.

The camera was set to automatically snap images. When he recovered it, Harrison was surprised to find stunning images and videos of the curvature of the earth, the blue haze that is our atmosphere and the land masses and water features below. The quality of the images was something you’d expect to see from a NASA spacecraft.

Plans for the local celebration of Earth Hour are beginning to shape up.

For the third year in a row, Peterborough residents and businesses, together with people throughout the world, will recognize the event by turning off their lights and other electric-powered appliances for a full hour, beginning at 8:30 p.m. on March 27.

Earth Hour is intended both as a means of conserving energy and as a show of support for environmental initiatives.

Sunday night I was thinking a lot about patriotism. In the days following the terrorist attacks in New York City, Americans of all races and religions suddenly become engulfed in new found pride for their country. The American people have traditionally worn patriotism on their sleeve, but it became especially apparent after that unforgettable day.

What brought this subject to mind was the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in Vancouver.

Never before have I witnessed our nation come together with such a surge of red and white. It truly was a sight to behold and something the world was buzzing about the day after.

Unlike our neighbours to the south, flag waving isn’t something you see too much of in Canada. Aside from the “big day” on July 1, we’re usually quite subtle about our national identity. I think it goes a long way to show who we are as a country, and on the national stage it speaks volumes.

After guiding the city’s primary non-profit environmental agency for 10 years, Sue McGregor- Hunter, executive director of Peterborough Green-Up, is retiring.

“It’ll be particularly hard to say goodbye to the people,” McGregor-Hunter said, a group that includes not just her coworkers, but people from every group and agency Green-Up has worked with over the years.

It has been an interesting decade for McGregor-Hunter.

When she began working with Green-Up in 2000, the environment and sustainable living were topics that were usually only discussed on Earth Day.

It may come as a surprise to know that some Christmas trees are greener than others.

Before loading up the family to venture out and pick out a tree this year, Green-Up’s Paula Anderson suggests taking a moment to consider which is the most sustainable option.

“We should start going beyond what’s easy and start thinking about how big of a footprint each tree leaves behind,” she said.

Superintendent Michel Cabardos of Cobourg Union Cemetery has always attempted to run things in as environmentally friendly a way as possible — eschewing herbicides and pesticides, for example.

Last month, a bigger idea he has long entertained was officially launched: the dedication of a green section for natural burial.

It’s the first of its kind in Ontario.

The area set aside for this new idea is at the northwest edge of the cemetery overlooking a golf course.