Tracy Kovalench
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jun 05/98) - Environment Canada celebrates the finale of national Environment Week with a staff barbecue today.

Employees are also hosting a walk-bike challenge and have plans to conduct an inter-office audit. They are adopting a street -- 53rd -- to keep clean and have set up a recycling system in reception and a compost in the coffee area.

Barbecue aside, these activities are anything but new for the folks at Environment Canada. They're just doing what comes naturally, for civil servants in an environment department.

Environment Week is "a focus, a reminder of what we do 24-seven," says senior environment engineer Brian Heppelle. "Traditionally it's been a fun time for us."

Heppelle is also the chair of the department's "green team," a volunteer group of employees who plan eco-friendly activities and advocate environmentally conscious decision-making in the workplace.

The staff are "greening the building," says Heppelle.

The green team has initiated the use of energy-efficient light bulbs, low-flow toilets and recycling bins in the department. They also produce bathroom bulletins containing earth-friendly information.

"We work with the staff and building owners to try to come up with a solution as best we can," says Heppelle.

This summer the team has supplied employees with odometers, awarding monthly prizes to the most avid bikers or walkers. They have also supplied a large bike cage for safe storage during work hours.

This fall the green team plans to host the second annual vehicle-emissions clinic as part of a national campaign. Last year, Yellowknife's clinic attracted more cars than any other clinic in the country.

Green team fever appears to be spreading. Other tenants in Diamond Plaza have had representatives sitting in on meetings to observe the team in action.

"We can't do it for them," says Heppelle, "but if they're interested, we're willing to help them out."

Heppelle also points info-seekers down Green Lane, Environment Canada's Web page: www.ec.gc.ca/envhome.html