Our Mini Forest Planting Day at Corbett-Hyland Park October 5 was a resounding success. It was a beautiful day and at the end quite a sight to see it all planted. It will be great to watch how Smiths...

REAL’s September 2024 newsletter is here!  Some REAL members share their experiences raising monarch butterflies and there are stories on the medicinal plants in the Phase 3 Monarch Garden, the REAL Deal, the Board, and fall composting tips.  We...

Directors at  REAL’s August Board Meeting agreed on the following roles:                President – Karen Schecter                Vice-President – Donna McKenna                Treasurer – Dave Thornley                Secretary – Barb Hicks                Member...

 2024 Green Community Award Winners Announced   REAL is very pleased to be the recipient of a 2024 Green Communities Canada (GCC) Award. The awards, presented May 9,  celebrate excellence in the GCC national network.   REAL was selected...

Hyland Park just got another boost with the addition of six large trees on April 29.  In planning REAL’s mini-forest,  it was recognized that the park could use some additional shade quickly.  So with the Town’s permission REAL  chose...

The mini-forest soil preparation day April 13 went really well.  Now we just have to wait five to six months for the optimal soil conditions to develop!  About 300 plants trees and shrubs  will be planted by volunteers this...

Our 2023 Annual Report that summarizes our activities up to the end of January 2024 is now available.  This is also the time of year that we ask members to confirm their support with their membership renewal.  If you...

Corbett Park in Smiths Falls will be a hub of activity in 2024 with the planting of 300 trees and the creation of a mini forest in Smiths Falls.  The mini-forest will also be a great project to mark REAL’s...

The HER+ program is winding down four and a half years ahead of schedule.  The Canada Greener Homes Grant was supposed to be available to homeowners across Canada for seven years when launched just two and a half years...

EcoIceGrip  is once again available at  the REAL Deal Store.  When applied to packed snow and ice, it is an effective environmentally friendly alternative to salt.   And it is locally made!  Staff have used it at the store with...

Is your SEER high enough?  How about the HSPF of your system?  What COP isn’t about law enforcement?  It is all about efficiency of home heating and cooling systems. On Tuesday, December 5th, Cindy Dopson, of Thake Home Comfort...

November is Radon Awareness Month. Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas. It can cause lung cancer when people breathe in too much of it over time. Smoking increases the chances that radon gas inhalation will lead to lung...

Through the Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) program, grants of up to $5,600 are available to help homeowners make energy efficiency retrofits to their homes.   Enbridge Gas customers can access an additional $5,000 in incentive grants.    A home...

The REAL Deal store has joined the Pet Friendly Smiths Falls program initiated by the Town of Smiths Falls this summer.  On the town’s website is a list and map of 22 various businesses that have agreed that pets...

The Grand Opening of the Town Square at 77 Beckwith St. N., Smiths Falls happened July 28. Many, many people contributed to making this great community space. It’s wonderful that the vision of Pat and Tom Foulkes for a...