red squirrel in green forest

Sustainability Allies

Our Sustainability Allies are a carefully selected group of businesses who believe in a mandate of environmental stewardship and social justice. They seek to promote the values and mission of the Ecology Action Centre (EAC) while also making an annual contribution to our work.  

We wish to recognize and thank these incredible partners for their support and for believing in the value of protecting the environment. As we stare down multiple ecological and social crises, working together to shape our collective future is more important than ever. We’re proud to have our Sustainability Allies by our side as we fight for a just, sustainable world. 

Learn more about our Sustainability Ally Program by reading our intro package. To inquire about becoming a Sustainability Ally, please fill out our contact form below!
 


Meet our current Sustainability Allies


Assante HydrostoneAssante Hydrostone Logo

"For the past 25 years, I’ve been working with clients to help consider their social, environmental and ethical concerns that applies to their money.  Part of that includes investing in local community projects such as renewable energy projects.  I’m a socially responsible investor and I support my clients in choosing high-quality investments that align with their values."

- Richard Nickerson, CDFA, CFP®, Assante Hydrostone
 

Read the full interview with Assante Hydrostone

Why do you value a partnership with the Ecology Action Centre?

I believe the EAC is doing the job our government should be doing, including taking measures to protect nature and our environment. EAC is extremely active and vocal within our community and I respect its leadership on environmental issues.  Some of my values apply to food, nature, and the environment which aligns well with the values of the EAC so forming a partnership was an easy decision.

What kinds of things are you doing within your business to have a positive impact on our environment or community?

For the past 25 years, I’ve been working with clients to help consider their social, environmental and ethical concerns that applies to their money.  Part of that includes investing in local community projects such as renewable energy projects.  I’m a socially responsible investor and I support my clients in choosing high-quality investments that align with their values.

Personally, why is the environment/community development important to you?

On a personal level, I’ve always had an appreciation for the environment and nature. As a family with two children, we try to be as active as possible outdoors and I hope that my children will always strive to protect and conserve our environment.

On a larger level, respecting and protecting our environment is imperative to the economic development that will help attract quality people to our province.


Helping Nature Heal Helping Nature Heal Logo

"On a personal level I feel deeply committed and responsible for all my actions. I feel that each of us has an inherent ethical duty to do our best to respect, and protect the environment, after all if we don’t have clean air, water and food what is the point of our lives?"

- Rosmarie Lohnes, Helping Nature Heal
 

Read the full interview with Helping Nature Heal

Why do you value a partnership with the Ecology Action Centre?

I appreciate the work that the EAC does, the organization seems to be at the forefront of all environmental issues, and has good exposure speaking out about issues. I often see a representative on the evening news, or a rally of some sort in the media. I like the public awareness.

What kinds of things are you doing within your business to have a positive impact on our environment or community?

I strongly believe that healthy environments require resilient communities. At Helping Nature Heal, we contribute both time and energy to local community projects focused on environmental sustainability and food security. This year, we’ve even hired a Community Engagement Manager to take the lead on this important work.

We also pride ourselves on sourcing local materials and using ecological practices. This is includes carpooling, recycling, seed-saving, organic materials and services from trusted suppliers within a 100 km radius, environmentally friendly office practices, and a strict no chemical policy.

Our whole company is about healing the earth and our connection to it, which in turn heals us. I am deeply committed to enacting this mission at all levels of our work at Helping Nature Heal.

Personally, why is the environment/community development important to you?

On a personal level I feel deeply committed and responsible for all my actions. I feel that each of us has an inherent ethical duty to do our best to respect, and protect the environment, after all if we don’t have clean air, water and food what is the point of our lives?


Innovative Real Estate  Innovative Real Estate Logo

”When we contemplated support for EAC, we realized that just using recycled paper and adding the line, “please recycle” to our marketing mail-outs was an inadequate response to the environmental crisis we are facing.”

- Trevor Parsons, Innovative Real Estate
 

Read the full interview with Innovative Real Estate

Why do you value a partnership with the Ecology Action Centre?

Because EAC has successfully demonstrated the connection between environmental issues, local communities and the local economy. Unlike the average politician, I am more concerned about leaving an environmental deficit than I am about any government budget deficit. As the saying goes, “If you think the economy is more important than the environment, then try holding your breath while you count your money”.  EAC has shone a bright light on the many environmental issues facing all of us and done so by bringing these concerns to the attention of the general public with excellent articles in local media outlets, as well as engaging political and business leaders in conversations about these serious issues.

What kinds of things are you doing within your business to have a positive impact on our environment or community?

At the moment, the main contribution we are making is our financial support of Ecology Action Centre. When we contemplated support for EAC, we realized that just using recycled paper and adding the line, “please recycle” to our marketing mail-outs was an inadequate response to the environmental crisis we are facing. For that reason, we have totally eliminated the use of mass flyer distribution. We have also retired our water cooler. Small steps, I know, but it’s a start. We are also doing our best to help create awareness of environmental issues – particularly in regards to the idea of shopping local and how that can have an impact on the local economy and hence help to reduce our carbon footprint. We are also doing our best to create environmental awareness through our web site and various social media.

Personally, why is the environment/community development important to you?

As someone who spends their free time exploring and enjoying Nova Scotia’s diminishing wild places, I believe it is important to have a group of knowledgeable, energetic environmentalists who are committed to protecting our natural world. Having spent most of my life in the province, I have come to the realization that the infinite growth model of economic development is not sustainable – not just in Nova Scotia, but on the entire planet. As someone who came of age during the sixties and seventies, I carry a certain amount of guilt for the horrific mess my generation is leaving for my kids and other young people.  My hope is that, in some small way, I can contribute towards the mitigation of the damage we as a generation have caused and I see my support of EAC as an opportunity to do just that.


Just Us! Coffee  Just Us Coffee Logo

"To truly take responsibility for the results of your work and your actions in your workplace, community or (more generally) on this Earth is of paramount importance. Every one of us shapes the world that we live in with every decision we make."

- Joey Pittoello, Just Us Coffee
 

Read the full interview with Just Us! Coffee

Why do you value a partnership with the Ecology Action Centre?

Environmental and social justice are key components in Just Us!’ business philosophy and we feel that the work that EAC does is critical to ensuring environmental and social justice for our local communities now and into the future. Without organizations like the EAC, government and industry tend to neglect the critical and intertwined roles our environment and communities play in ensuring a sustainable future for the land and the dizzying number of organisms inhabiting it.
 
What kinds of things are you doing within your business to have a positive impact on our environment or community?

Just Us! has been working for 20 years to demonstrate that business can be profitable without the exploitation of our planet and the people that live on it. Although we are far from perfect we aim to highlight the great value that small-scale, democratically-organized, and organic producers offer through direct fair trade relationships with coffee producers around the world.
 
As a worker co-op we feel it’s important to put the responsibility of our business in the hands of the people who work within it. To truly take responsibility for the results of your work and your actions in your workplace, community or (more generally) on this Earth is of paramount importance. Every one of us shapes the world that we live in with every decision we make.
 
Our dedication to organic production methods, direct and meaningful relationships with producer organizations, investment in producer communities and our own, indigenous rights, democratic organizations, and our newly established Just Us! Centre for Small Farms are a number of examples of ways we make a positive impact in our environment and community as well as those in the Global South.
 
Personally, why is the environment/community development important to you?

We make the world we live in—as individuals, families, organizations/businesses, communities, and on a national and global scale. If we don’t care for and nurture the environment and communities in which we live how can we as members of our community and environment expect to grow in a healthy and sustainable way? Many of the struggles we deal with such as poverty, discrimination, and environmental degradation stem from a general lack of respect we exhibit for everything around us. Contributing positively to environmental and community development builds a strong sense of respect for one another and the environment that makes it possible for us to exist in the first place.


Garrison Brewing Co.  Garrison Brewing Logo

"I try and approach business (& life) from an optimistic angle. I can make beer, period. I can also make beer using local materials and supplies, sort out my waste streams, improve efficiencies, build relationships with local restaurants/groups and create a unique and welcoming destination that creates pride among locals and draws visitors from far and wide."

- Brian Titus, Garrison Brewing Co.
 

Read the full interview with Garrison Brewing Co

Why do you value a partnership with the Ecology Action Centre?

Craft Beer is about traditional products resulting from sustainable practices and natural ingredients. Maintaining a healthy environment is not only a real-time benefit to our business, it's essential and the right thing to do.  By partnering with the Ecology Action Centre, Garrison hopes to assist in raising awareness around environmental challenges and championing real-world solutions. We believe our combined efforts will foster a culture of environmental stewardship that resonates with suppliers, staff & customers alike.

What kinds of things are you doing within your business to have a positive impact on our environment or community?

As a business, we benefit greatly from people supporting local. In return, we factor the community & environment around us into everything we do. We believe positive change comes from doing many small things right and for Garrison, the list is extensive. We buy nearly 80% of our malted barley from New Brunswick in bulk form and shipped by rail. We work with a number of small, local hop farmers and run our own test plot with Ross Farm Museum. Other local raw materials are often profiled in our specialty brews including spruce tips, raw honey, maple syrup, lavender and even bog myrtle. After brewing, all spent grain becomes cattle and pig feed given to farmers at no cost. Our brewing tanks are all fabricated by a PEI manufacturer and fired by natural gas and steam. Both Seaport breweries were located in derelict properties which we refurbished. Biodegradable cleaners, stainless kegs and refillable bottles and growlers help further lessen our production footprint. Even the cups we use at festivals and events are biodegradable, made from corn starch!
   
Our community ties go deep as well. We've done several charity brews over the years and supported many causes. We've poured local beer at the Halifax Jazzfest since 1999, and been supporting partners of many others including the Atlantic Film Festival, Multicultural Festival, OutEast Film fest, Obey Convention and Hal-Con. Add in running, biking and swimming clubs, amateur sports, small business, health, education and the environment and it's clear we're part of a VERY large community.

Personally, why is the environment/community development important to you?

I try and approach business (& life) from an optimistic angle. I can make beer, period. I can also make beer using local materials and supplies, sort out my waste streams, improve efficiencies, build relationships with local restaurants/groups and create a unique and welcoming destination that creates pride among locals and draws visitors from far and wide. These things are as important to me as the great craft beer that made them all possible.


Laughing Whale Coffee LogoLaughing Whale Coffee  

"What affects one, in the long run, affects us all.  When we support one another we are all lifted up."

- Steve and Deborah, Laughing Whale Coffee
 

Read the full interview with Laughing Whale Coffee

Why do you value a partnership with the Ecology Action Center?

EAC’s work on environmental protection and sustainability aligns directly with our own values.  Working with this dedicated group inspires us and strengthens our commitment to find new ways to make a positive difference within our company and community.

The number of issues that EAC tackles and their track record make them truly remarkable. We first approached EAC with the idea collaboration in 2007. Since that time, we have donated twenty-five cents from every retail bag of coffee sold in Nova Scotia to support their work and it has been one of the more gratifying aspects of our business.

What kind of things are you doing within your business to have a positive impact on our environment and community?

As members of Cooperative Coffees (a co-op of roasters in Canada and the US) we contribute to their Coffee, Climate Initiative which funds coffee farmers to make sustainable improvements to their farming practices to help alleviate the effects climate change.  All our coffees are organic and Fairtrade certified, which translates into healthier conditions for farmers and the soils they cultivate.  Fairtrade premiums (for community development above and beyond the market price of the coffee) improve living conditions and a guaranteed minimum price protects against downturns in commodity markets.

We also:

  • Purchased the first heat recycling roaster in Canada in 2009 to reduce fossil fuel usage.
  • Are members of five Farmers’ Markets and have served as Directors for two of them.
  • Give our coffee grounds and chaff to farmers for compost and chicken bedding.
  • Use around 2000 recycled grocery store boxes annually to pack orders.
  • Give a discount to customers that bring their own travel mugs or reuse their cups.
  • Are actively engaged in pushing packaging manufacturers for cup and bag products that will actually compost in our municipal waste systems.

We also regularly donate to a number of other community organizations: Council of Canadians, Second Story Women’s Center,  Kingsburg Coastal Conservancy, Fisherman’s Hospital, Engineers without Borders, Dalhousie Sustainability, Surfing Association of NS,  ACORN, Farmers’ Markets of NS to name a few.

Personally, why is the environment/community development important to you?

Before launching Laughing Whale Coffee Roasters, our careers involved working for social justice, indigenous rights, international development and women’s rights, environmental protection and renewable energy.  We want our coffee to be a vehicle for change by giving back both at home and in coffee producing countries because it gives us a way of making a real difference and deepens our connection to the world.


Authentic Seacoast  Authentic Seacoast Logo

"Since our founding, fifteen years ago, we have strived to create a sustainable, authentic business that demonstrates leadership on environmental practices and economic development, that respects the heritage, traditions and values of our community. Working with EAC as a new Sustainability Ally will amplify our collective efforts, enhance public awareness of the importance of our work and further the protection of our environment. This work is critical given the deleterious impact that our civilization is having on the natural world."

- Glynn WIlliams, Authentic Seacoast
 

Read the full interview with Authentic Seacoast

Why do you value a partnership with the Ecology Action Centre?

Ecology Action Centre is a respected voice on the environment and social justice issues in Nova Scotia, demonstrating for many years its effectiveness in raising public awareness on issues that we at Authentic Seacoast hold dear. Mobilizing the public and our leaders to make the changes necessary in our behaviours is critical if we are to create a more sustainable future.

What kinds of things are you doing within your business to have a positive impact on our environment or community?

  • dramatically reducing our water consumption through process improvements at our distillery
  • installing a catalytic oxidizer for our coffee roaster (the only one of its kind in the Province) to improve air emissions
  • establishing a commercial apiary to restore bee populations in Guysborough
  • purchasing a neighbouring waterfront property to protect it from commercial development
  • renovating our buildings to reduce energy consumption • retaining our fair-trade and organic coffee certifications
  • acquiring Acadian Maple to ensure that maple syrup harvesters can confidently grow their sustainable businesses, and
  • conducting a preliminary GHG assessment that determined that our private forests absorb more than 7x our emissions in Nova Scotia

Personally, why is the environment/community development important to you?

This year we celebrate our fifteenth year of continuous operations of the Authentic Seacoast Company and more than 30 years in the Province. We were attracted to the natural beauty of Nova Scotia from the start, whether it be through cycling the Marine Drive, fly fishing, beach combing, hiking, kayaking, clam digging, photographing or blueberry picking, and have always thought it to be important to raise your children close to nature. We discovered the rich heritage of our communities. We have worked hard ever since to protect the environment, to raise awareness and to inspire others to do the same. Jobs are important to communities and their future. How economic development occurs must take into account environmental and social justice issues to ensure sustainability and a bright future for Nova Scotia.


Get in touch

To inquire about becoming a Sustainability Ally, please fill out the following form.