Earth Day At Lakehead
By Jocelyn Trudell – Special to SUNonline/Orillia
What we eat affects more than our health. It shapes the future of our ecosystems. This Earth Day, Sustainable Orillia and the Couchiching Conservancy invite you to explore how everyday food choices connect directly to land conservation, biodiversity, and climate action.
Hosted by Lakehead University’s Office of Community Engagement & Lifelong Learning, this free event features a guided tour of Lakehead’s Farm Lab, followed by a screening of the documentary Eating Our Way to Extinction, a hard-hitting, solutions focused documentary revealing the environmental cost of industrial food systems and how shifting to sustainable agriculture can support both people and planet.
This event also celebrates the launch of the 2025 Passport to Nature, a year-round program encouraging residents to connect with nature through accessible, educational outings across the region.
During the Farm Lab tour, students and staff will highlight how small-scale sustainable farming can build healthier soil, reduce emissions, and protect nearby ecosystems, which are all core themes of the Conservancy’s work. These ideas are expanded in Eating Our Way to Extinction.
Following the documentary, Dr. Gerardo Reyes, professor, Lakehead’s department of sustainability sciences, will lead a discussion and invite attendees to consider the ripple effect of food systems. Guests are encouraged to bring a phone or tablet for interactive participation in the discussion.
Before and after the event, attendees can explore info tables about local conservation and sustainability efforts, try their hand at seed-packing, and pick up plant-based recipe ideas to take home. There will be refreshments so please bring reusable cup.
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, April 22
Farm Lab Tour: 5 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. (limited capacity)
Doc Screening: 6 p.m.
Location: Lakehead University (Orillia Campus)
Cost: Free – donations are welcome, register online
(Images Supplied)
