Round two of the Fraser Valley Conservancy's Go Green! contest series starts soon and the focus shifts from round one's composting to the most vital compound on the planet – water.
The Saving Water Contest launches on July 11 and it encourages Fraser Valley residents to take simple actions at home, like reducing shower times, fixing leaks, or installing water-saving devices, to help reduce water use during the driest months of the year.
The contest begins with a free workshop from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Abbotsford's Ag-Rec Gallery (32470 Haida Dr.) on Tuesday, June 24. The first 50 people to register and attend will receive a free water-saving kit loaded with tools to use at home.
Attendees will learn practical tips to save water both indoors and outdoors, and how to make water-wise choices. The event is co-hosted by the City of Abbotsford and Mission Water and Sewer Services, it is adult-oriented but children are welcome with adult supervision. Laith Furatian PhD, P.Eng., a senior water engineer at Abbotsford/Mission Water and Sewer Services is the host of the workshop.
The Saving Water Contest runs from July 11 to Sept. 5 and includes weekly challenges and prize draws. Participants log their completed tasks using a free mobile app to earn entries. Those who register before the contest begins and complete each weekly challenge will be eligible for the grand prize.
The contest’s grand prize is a game night experience featuring a voucher for four Abbotsford Canucks tickets (valued at $250) to a 2025-26 regular season game. The second prize includes a gift pack and vouchers from Cultus Lake Golf Course (valued at $100). Additional prizes include $25 gift cards generously provided by West Coast Seeds, BRGR BRGR and The Old Spaghetti Factory.
The contest is open to all residents of the Fraser Valley Regional District aged 19 and older.
“We know that a lot of people want to make eco-friendly changes but aren’t sure where to start,” stated Patricia Fantillo, Step to It and volunteer program co-ordinator at the FVC. “That’s why these water-saving kits are so helpful – they remove the guesswork and make it simple to take action right away.”
The FVC's Composting Contest opened on April 26 and saw 38 residents from across the Fraser Valley take on weekly eco-friendly tasks like starting compost bins, collecting food scraps and sharing photos of their progress. The contest concludes on June 20 and winners will be announced shortly after.
The third round will challenge residents to save electricity, but full details of that contest have not yet been released.
FVC, originally known as the Abbotsford Land Trust, has been active in the community since 1998. In the past three years, FVC volunteers have planted more than 4,000 trees and shrubs, reducing CO2 emissions by more than 20 tonnes.
For more information or details on how to register for the contest, visit fraservalleyconservancy.ca/go-green-contest.