Sustainable Merrickville-Wolford

WE ARE CITIZENS OF MERRICKVILLE-WOLFORD AND AREA WORKING TOGETHER TO CONTRIBUTE TO A SUSTAINABLE, SOCIALLY JUST, LOW-CARBON FUTURE.

What's Happening

• Merrickville Seed Library continues to flourish! Although there is still lots of snow on the ground, we are busy organizing our collection for the 2026 season. The Seed Library will open on February 16 and ramp up even more during our Seedy Saturday seed and seedling exchange on April 18. This year the Lions Club will be joining us on Seedy Saturday to present a hands-on workshop on establishing a pollinator garden. So let's all start planning and get growing!
  Located in the Merrickville Public Library, the Seed Library provides free vegetable, herb, and flower seeds to people living in the community. The goal is to promote self sustainability by collecting seeds from local growers. We would like to extend a huge thanks to everyone who has already made donations this year, as well as to Ritchie Feed & Seed, West Coast Seeds, and the Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library for their continued support.
  Last year, over 1,000 free seed packets were distributed to the community, representing tens of thousands of plants and a bounty of fresh vegetables. Check out the 2025 report available on the Merrickville Library website for all the details.
  The Seed Library is a joint project of Sustainable Merrickville-Wolford and the Merrickville Library, promoting local food security and self-sufficiency and encouraging outdoor activity. If you have any seeds to spare, be sure to drop them off at the Public Library. See the Plant a Garden page for more information on saving and donating seeds.
• Do you have any household items in need of repair? Is your toaster no longer working? Does your lamp refuse to turn on? Is the hem on your dress ripped? Before you throw them out, be sure to stop by one of our upcoming Repair Cafés at the Merrickville Public Library. Skilled volunteers will be on hand to provide advice and help with the repair. If you know you need a replacement part, be sure to bring it along.
  The first Café will be held on March 7 and will focus on small appliances, textiles, and electronics. In addition to general repairs, the second Café to be held on May 9 will help with bike, scooter, and skateboard tune ups and provide tips for their maintenance. Both Cafés will run from 11:00 to 2:00. Just drop in, no appointment is necessary.
  Merrickville Repair Cafés are co-hosted by Sustainable Merrickville-Wolford and the Merrickville Public Library. There is no cost to participate, but small donations are appreciated for any work done.
• Save the date! The 17th annual North Grenville Sustainability Fair and EV show will be held on Sunday, April 26 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the North Grenville Municipal Centre. This is a great opportunity to discover how to make your home more efficient and environmentally friendly, and how to reduce your operating costs. While you are there you can check out one of the largest electric vehicle displays in Eastern Ontario. For more information, check out Sustainable North Grenville's website
• The Reuse Centre at the Merrickville-Wolford Landfill site is open for business. Residents can drop off and/or find used items at the Centre each Saturday morning from 9:00 to 12:00. A list of acceptable donations is available, and volunteers will be at the site to help out.
  If you are interested in getting involved or if you have any general questions, you can contact us at info@sustainableMW.org.
  You can also check out the Rideau Environmental Action League REAL Deal Reuse Store and Environment Centre in Smiths Falls.
• Do you have something extra to share? Why not donate it to the Merrickville Food Cupboard? The Food Cupboard helps individuals and families in our community when they need it. Non-perishable items and financial contributions are always welcome. Click here for more information on how to donate.
• People throughout the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville and Lanark County are working together to create a food system that nourishes everyone. Check out the FoodcoreLGL website for links to the updated Food Charter, a local food inventory, and other useful resources.

Want to learn more? Subscribe to our email list, contact us at info@sustainableMW.org or check out our Facebook page for the latest information.

In the News

• For the latest national and international news, check out The Energy Mix - a great source of articles on climate change, energy, and carbon-free futures.
• The CBC's What on Earth is another great source of environmental news -free weekly e-newsletter or podcast subsciptions are available.
• If you want to know more about what's going on in eastern Ontario, Climate Legacy, which focuses on engaging and mobilizing older Canadians in climate action, has compiled a list of climate action groups in our region, along with a corresponding schedule of events.
• Or you may be looking for more positive solution-driven content. If so, some great sources include the BBC series People Fixing the World; Atlas of the Future; Seeds of Good Anthropocenes; Reasons to be Cheerful; Gapminder; Net Zero Tracker; and SolutionsU.

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