5th Annual Salon national de l'environnement (2010)
(Quebec Environment Fair)
June 18, 19 and 20, 2010
June 17, pre-opening green fashion show Le Grand Défilé Vert
Free admission, except for the green fashion show and a green business networking event 

By Steve Timmins, Environmental Activist and Translator

After attending last year's Salon national de l'environnement (SNE), a major provincial environment fair held annually in the Old Port of Montreal by the cooperative Terre nouvelle, and doing some translation about the 2010 edition, I can honestly say that this is an exciting, must-see event for anyone interested in the environment, sustainability, natural health care and an ecological lifestyle.

The SNE's also a family-friendly event, because there are lots of fun things for the kids to do including adding their artistic touch to an outdoor wall-mural painting and visiting the Muséobus museum for children. (That said, the Old Port in general is not completely child-friendly with cyclists and other rented pedal vehicles circulating freely and somewhat chaotically among walkers along the promenade. Parents of small children should be especially cautious.)

For some people, the most spectacular and thrilling aspect of the whole eco-fair could be the Toyota alternative vehicle test track where visitors can test drive some energy-efficient cars. A word of advice however: don't get to the Toyota display tent at the end of the day or you might be out of luck - my fate last year - as you may not have time to take a car out for a spin.

Overall, the SNE is an absolute gold mine in terms of the tons of information one can obtain on a vast range of environmental issues, but the focus is very much on solutions, so you'll probably leave feeling optimistic, rather than overwhelmed. Further enhancing the positive vibe are the good eats in the eco-food court and the daily happy hours with music on the outdoor patio.

This year's program includes many interesting-looking conferences, especially the conference at the opening ceremony on Friday evening (June 18) featuring the film documentary "HOME" with its stunning aerial shots of the earth and history of the planet (reservations highly recommended). Other conferences will cover topics such as lawn care alternatives, green shopping, sustainable homes, and humanity's ecological footprint, just to name a few.

The SNE also features some 200 booths hosted by diverse environment and environment-related actors including entrepreneurs who showcase a wide array of green products and services.

Last but not least, there's a pre-opening green fashion show, le Grand Défilé Vert, on Thursday evening (June 17) and a green business networking event on Friday afternoon (June 18). Both these special events charge an admission fee.

For full details, check out the SNE website in English and French at http://terrenouvelle.info/en.html .
To become a volunteer, visit: http://terrenouvelle.info/fr/deviens-benevole.html .
To subscribe to their newsletter, email: mailto: info@terrenouvelle.info.