Community Open House - an Annual Tradition

This past weekend Lehigh Hanson hosted the 19^th annual open house at their sand and gravel quarry in Sechelt, BC.  Participation is an annual tradition for SYLVIS and something we look forward to every year!

The open house consists of a barbecue lunch, activities and games for children and a bus tour through the mine highlighting mining and reclamation activities. SYLVIS has worked with Lehigh to beneficially use residuals in mine reclamation for over 10 years!

The bus tour stops at a reclamation site where SYLVIS presents hands on displays, informational posters, photos documenting changes since inception of the reclamation program, and educational games for children. 

Each year we have a different theme for the SYLVIS display with information and educational activities relating to the theme.  Our 2014 theme was “water” – use, conservation, protection and monitoring.  Another annual activity, and a reason why so many people visit us year after year, is our native plant give-away.  This year we gave participants Saskatoon Berry to take home and plant in their garden.

This is a wonderful community event, which welcomed over 1,000 people this year! Many attendees are repeat visitors and have expressed a keen interest in the reclamation program, engaged us with thoughtful questions and have provided overwhelmingly positive feedback on the reclamation program.

Thanks again to Lehigh and the community of Sechelt – We were proud to participate and look forward to next year!