FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Victoria, BC, April 20, 2011 – Parkside Victoria Resort & Spa is extending this year’s nationwide celebration of our planet by partnering with local businesses and organizations for its Earth Expo & Farmer’s Market on Saturday April 30, 2011.

The event is designed to be fun and educational (and tasty!) for kids and adults alike, offering a glimpse into some of the creative ways Victoria is initiating eco-friendly practices.

EARTH EXPO & FARMERS’ MARKET: 1PM to 4PM

• Farmers’ Market courtesy of Ambrosio Produce Wholesale
• Recycle Drive courtesy of ReFuse
• Kids’ Crafts
• Urban Fusion
• Abby Sprouts
• Cold Comforts Ice Cream
• AquaTerre Spa
• Hemp & Company
• The Land Conservancy
• Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition
• The Metal Mermaid
• The Good Planet Company
• KP Athletic Wear
• Bite Size Company
• LEED ® tours

Parkside is a multiple award-winning sustainable resort leading Canada in innovative green resort hotel development and design, built to LEED® Platinum Certification Standards, the highest rating. Parkside was awarded a 5 Green Key rating with the Green Key Global Eco-Rating Program, a rating system designed to recognize the commitment of hotels, motels and resorts to improving environmental performance. Parkside offers an exceptional guest experience and flexible second home ownership in the heart of downtown Victoria, BC, Canada. The resort consists of 126 fully furnished designer suites in two independent seven- and eight-storey towers joined by a three-storey glass garden atrium.

For more information contact:

Neil Judson, Communications Specialist

Aviawest Resort Group, 250.361.1999 (ext. 8159) neil.judson@aviawest.com

VICTORIA, B.C. – TLC is proud to announce that Prince of Whales and Adrena LINE Zipline Adventure Tours will be donating proceeds from their Friday, April 22nd, 2011 (Earth Day) Marine and Wilderness Experiences towards TLC’s Wild Hills and Beaches Campaign in order to protect 5,800 acres of land in the Jordan River, Sandcut Beach, and Sooke Hills area.

Adrena LINE’s and Prince of Whales goal is to inspire individuals, other businesses and all levels of government to contribute over the coming months to TLC to support this worthwhile campaign.

Prince of Whales is stepping up by donating 10% of ticket sales to TLC from the Ocean Magic Winter Wildlife Tours on April 22. “We want to make certain that TLC will have long-term funding to continue their work in B.C. Their effort to protect natural areas and encourage environmental stewardship has a far reaching impact in our community as well as promotes a healthy ocean environment,” says Leshell Michaluk, Prince of Whales Sales and Operations Manager.

Adrena LINE is contributing $20 from every individual zip line on Earth Day to TLC. Jonathan Heerema, Adrena LINE Zipline Adventure Tours Sales and Marketing Manger adds, “TLC’s Wild Hills and Beaches Campaign is a critical project that focuses specifically on the area around us. We are focusing on a long term effort, in conjunction with TLC that will focus on the preservation of the ecosystem on Vancouver Island.”

As part of TLC’s Business Advantage Program, Adrena LINE and Prince of Whales are also offering TLC Members, upon presentation of membership card, a special discounted rate of $10.00 off for either an adult or a youth that includes a cash donation of $5.00 back to TLC for every adventure.

“Partnerships are the backbone of our work at TLC. We are pleased to see local businesses taking an active role in fundraising for these West Coast icons and spreading the word about our Wild Hills and Beaches Campaign,” says Bill Turner, TLC Executive Director.

To participate in these Earth Day fundraisers on Friday, April 22, 2011, please visit TLC’s website at www.conservancy.bc.ca or contact:

Prince of Whales www.princeofwhales.com
Phone: 1-888-383-4884, E-mail: info@princeofwhales.com

Adrena Line Zip Line Adventure Tours www.adrenalinezip.com
Phone: 250-642-1933 or toll-free: 1-866-947-9145

To donate to TLC’s Wild Hills and Beaches campaign, please visit conservancy.bc.ca or call 1-877-485-2422.

On April 23, 2011, join the Cowichan Green Community in celebrating Earth Day with eco- friendly activities, education, and demonstrations. Learn how to build your own potato tower planter, create a functional object out of landfill & recycling destined materials, or enjoy live music & storytelling. This fun, free, family event will take place in the heart of downtown Duncan at Charles Hoey Park from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Visit Cowichan Green Community for more event information.

Earth Day Press Release:

In celebration of Earth Day, the Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites will be hosting the 1^st annual Earth Day celebration with South Park Elementary Family School. Please join in the festivities on Thursday, April 21^st, between 11am and 2pm at the Chateau Victoria Hotel and Suites to celebrate Earth Day in the community.

The 1^st annual Earth Day celebration will feature artwork from the children of South Park Elementary School, expressing what Earth Day means to them. Come by to view their creations and bring your appetite with you! The staff and management of the Chateau Victoria will be serving BBQ hotdogs including a vegetarian option.  The culinary team, led by Executive Chef Garrett Schack, has also created Earth Day Bull Kelp Relish to celebrate this green event.  A $3.00 donation is encouraged, and all donations will be given to the Earth Day Foundation.

Please join us on this special day that has been celebrated globally for over 40 years, mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries to focus on environmental issues. Stop by, have some lunch, and celebrate Earth Day with Chateau Victoria and South Park Elementary Family School on Thursday, April 21, 2011, 740 Burdett Ave. 

For more information please contact Marion Ann Berry at 250-361-5664 or mberry@chateauvictoria.com

On Saturday, March 26, 2011, at 8:30 – 9:30 pm, turn off your lights for one hour to support the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Earth Hour. Help send a powerful global message to others that together we can make a difference in climate change. Help WWF Canada spread the word and find out more ways to participate on their website.

Since its inception in Australia in 2007, Earth Hour has become a global initiative to get people thinking on how to minimize their environmental footprints and fight climate change. However, climate change is a reality beyond Earth Hour. We can help make a difference by making changes in our own lives. Visit www.earthhour.org for inspiration & to share your actions beyond Earth Hour.