Are you looking for ways to save money and the environment? Learn how to lower your emissions, increase your fuel economy and reduce your overall fuel and vehicle maintenance costs as a volunteer with ecoDriver Manitoba.
“Volunteers will learn ways to decrease harmful effects on the environment and save on fuel costs,” said Arne Elias, executive director of the The Centre for Sustainable Transportation (CST). “Using unique, Manitoba-made GPS equipment, participants will be able to monitor how effective these changes are in saving money and reducing dangerous greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.”
The CST is looking for 20 volunteers to have their personal vehicles equipped with the devices, which monitors their emissions, fuel use, fuel cost and driving habits. Volunteers will attend three separate information sessions between early September 2009 and mid February 2010 to learn green driving tips.
The program is designed to affect and enable behaviour change to reduce particulate and GHG emissions in Manitoba through a variety of social marketing, education and outreach activities reaching the province’s driving public and soon-to-be drivers.
“You can achieve measurable results without having to buy a new car, change your regular driving routes or purchase new equipment,” said Elias. “Informed, conscientious drivers help build a safer and more sustainable transportation system.”
In addition to the fuel and environmental savings, volunteers will receive a small honorarium and a one-year membership with the CST upon completion of the six-month program.
To volunteer, visit centreforsustainabletransportation.org/ecodriver.htm, email ecodrivermb@uwinnipeg.ca or phone (204) 988-7182.
ecoDriver Manitoba is a component of the Drive Green Manitoba program, a joint initiative funded by Natural Resource Canada and the Province of Manitoba. The project is coordinated by Green Manitoba. Project partners include the CST, Climate Change Connection, Resource Conservation Manitoba, Manitoba Public Insurance and the Province’s Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance Agency.
Help Improve Cycling Routes as an OttoCYCLE Volunteer
Let the City of Winnipeg know where you want to see cycling infrastructure built by participating in the OttoCYCLE program.
Participating is easy and you don’t have to be avid cyclist to volunteer. If you bike more than once a week, you can contribute your route to the cycling map.
Volunteers simply take the CST supplied, GPS-based device called Otto with them on their regular cycling routes for two weeks. It automatically records when and where you have travelled. A 10-minute survey supplements the GPS data. All information is private and confidential.
So far, over 650 cyclists have volunteered to have their routes recorded with the Otto device since the project launched in May 2009.
The CST is still looking for more volunteers for the study, which runs until the end of October. Volunteers receive a complimentary 2009 Winnipeg cycling map and a one-year membership with the CST.
To volunteer, visit centreforsustainabletransportation.org/OttoCycle.htm, email ottocycle@uwinnipeg.ca or phone (204) 988-7182. The OttoCYCLE project is funded by the City of Winnipeg.
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The CST at The University of Winnipeg is a membership-based, non-profit organization that facilitates best practices for the movement of people and goods over the long-term. The Centre bridges academic, business and public interests to identify and help craft winning transportation solutions that benefit society and the environment and enhance mobility.
For more information, contact:
Jolene Bergen, Communications and Membership Coordinator
The Centre for Sustainable Transportation
(204) 988-7180
j.bergen@uwinnipeg.ca
