• Sustainable Stouffville is a local nonprofit advancing climate awareness, practical action, and environmental literacy.
  • The organization is inviting the community to its annual Earth Day event on April 25 at the Stouffville Leisure Centre.
  • 2026 initiatives include a community seed library, rain barrel program, and expanded gardening efforts.
  • A Sustainable Business Directory will also launch to highlight environmentally responsible local companies.
  • Advocacy work will focus on active transportation, complete communities, and a future municipal Climate Action Plan.

 

Sustainable Stouffville is setting an ambitious course for 2026, expanding its community programming, partnerships, and advocacy work as it builds momentum following its first year of activity. Working to improve environmental literacy among residents and businesses, the local nonprofit is focused on advancing climate awareness and community action.

“We believe that no one can do everything, but everyone can do something,” the group’s mission statement reads. “Every action counts, big or small, and together, we can make a lasting impact locally and globally.”

With its 2026 Annual General Meeting complete and a new website now live, the organization is preparing for a busy year ahead.

In support of circular economies and more sustainable lifestyles, the 2026 Earth Day event will be held at the Stouffville Leisure Centre on April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Local businesses and community organizations will highlight environmental, sustainability, and conservation initiatives aimed at empowering residents to take personal action.

“We try to feature all the elements of Sustainable Stouffville at our Earth Day event,” President Harry French said in a conversation with Bullet Point News. “Given the time of year, there will be a big focus on gardening, including plant and seed giveaways and opportunities to join a community garden.”

Sustainable Stouffville is working to expand the volunteer gardening program at the Baker Hill Community Garden on Highway 48, where produce is grown for the Whitchurch Stouffville Food Bank and Good Food Impact. The initiative connects local growing efforts directly to residents facing food insecurity, reflecting the type of community partnerships the organization hopes to foster.

A new seed library at the Stouffville Library has also been created in collaboration with the WS Butterflyway Project. Rather than relying primarily on commercially purchased packets, the initiative aims to build a collection of locally grown seeds, including native pollinator plants and vegetables suited to local conditions.

Participants will be encouraged to borrow seed, grow plants, and return newly harvested seed at the end of the season. Over time, the program could help cultivate plant varieties better adapted to Stouffville’s climate and soils.

“Last year we ran a seed harvesting workshop for pollinator species, which worked out really well,” French said. “We hope to do more of the same with vegetables, and we will be hosting a Ready to Garden event as the formal Seed Library launch on March 21.”

The group is also partnering with RainBarrel.ca to offer residents a range of rain barrel options, as well as a rolling composter, ahead of Earth Day. Made from recycled plastics, the products are designed to help households conserve water, reduce stormwater runoff, and manage organic waste.

Orders must be placed by April 17 for pickup in the Leisure Centre parking lot on April 24, with delivery available at an additional cost. A limited number of rain barrels will also be available for purchase during the Earth Day event.

Waste reduction efforts have also included helping identify the Edward Street Country Depot as the home for The Refillery, which is operated by Schell Lumber. The initiative allows residents to bring reusable containers to refill household products such as laundry detergent and dish soap, helping reduce single-use packaging.

Sustainable Stouffville is also preparing to launch a Sustainable Business Directory on its website, an initiative that began last year and is expected to debut on Earth Day. The directory will highlight local businesses incorporating environmentally responsible practices, helping residents make more informed purchasing decisions while encouraging sustainability within the local economy.

The initiative is grounded in the belief that both consumers and business owners can drive meaningful change. Alongside fellow member Myles O’Brien, Tanya Porter and Casandra Bryant are leading the project in collaboration with Changent Zero, which Porter and Bryant founded to empower individuals to take action on issues such as climate change and circular economies.

“We want to see Stouffville become a leader in supporting businesses and individuals that have services and goods in alignment with sustainable practices,” Porter told us. “It’s also about educating those parties about how they can continue to grow while encouraging more sustainable practices.”

Businesses, whether home-based or operating from commercial locations, can submit expressions of interest online. Applicants will be vetted to ensure they demonstrate a meaningful commitment to sustainability.

The organization is also increasing its advocacy and partnership work with the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville. Emphasizing the need for carbon reductions, Sustainable Stouffville is promoting complete communities, expanded active transportation networks, and the development of a comprehensive municipal climate action plan, including weather-readiness assessments for residential homes.

“We would like to see these benefits reach the entire community, not just Town facilities,” French said. “They can include highlighting home insulation programs and waste divergence options, or making sure residents are aware of active transportation routes and alternative heating and cooling options like heat pumps.”

As Sustainable Stouffville continues to grow, French said the focus remains on practical local initiatives while building capacity for broader engagement. Over time, the group hopes to become more involved in structural policy issues.

“We’re building a head of steam here, using our limited capacity to build momentum through immediate local campaigns and events,” he concluded. “We just hope the community will engage with us and see what they can do to move Stouffville in a more sustainable direction.”