Vancouver Area Relocalisation Network

First off, a huge thank you to everyone who came out on Saturday and made the event a success!

Volunteers showed up at 7am to help set up all the equipment, the eco-village, hang the posters and signs, adjust curtains, etc. etc. etc. By noon, everything was set up and the live earth broadcast was airing on the big projection screen. From noon until 9pm folks were entertained by local artists and musicians, and had the chance to walk around the eco-village to talk with local NGOs and environmental groups working in the community. The energy was positive and fresh, and the response from visitors was fantastic.

Various local media attended the event and talked with organizers and representatives of environmental groups participating in the event. Jack Layton, leader of the NDP, also stopped by and thanked organizers and volunteers for putting on the event.

Here are some photos that I managed to snap over the course of the day:

Bobs & Lolo perform for the kids

In front of the maintstage

No event is complete without bubbles!/Vicki Sjohall performs for the crowd

Kid Zone

Face painting!

Eco-village

Sponsors, NGOs, and environmental groups talked with visitors about what they were doing to fight climate change and ways to get involved.

For more event photos, visit the gallery and click on the slideshow.

By 9pm the crowd dispersed and participants in the eco-village packed up for the day. The Western Canada Wilderness Committee had gathered hundreds of signatures for their petition to stop the Gateway Project. Volunteers began dismantling the stage and taking down all the equipment and gear - two hours later the site was clear!

Over 100 volunteers participated over the course of the day - some had been there since 7am and had stayed long after the end of the shift to the very end to help out! most of all because, despite the occasional heavy lifting, it was fun! We hope to make this an annual event, and the support that was shown by everyone involved proves that it could become a reality.

For more info about GHF and event sponsors, visit www.globalhabitatfestival.com

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The Global Habitat Festival was one of 10,000+ "Friends of Live Earth" events that took place in 195 countries. Millions of people watched or heard the Live Earth online, on TV, or on the radio. Millions pledged to change their own actions and hold our leadership accountable. To continue building the momentum and contributing to a worldwide movement to focus attention on climate change, sign onto the Live Earth Pledge at: www.liveearthpledge.org

Madonna, Beastie Boys, Black Eyed Peas? Missed your favorite act on 7/7/07? You can see highlights and songs from all the concerts online at www.LiveEarth.msn.com.