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We're all a flutter about ! January 5th celebrates the diverse avian world, fostering awareness of these fascinating creatures. In honor of this day, here are 15 intriguing bird facts:

1) Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backward. They can beat their wings between 50 to 80 times per second.
2) Penguins cannot fly but are exceptional swimmers.
3) Chickens are the living descendants of a group of two-legged dinosaurs known as theropods (like Tyrannosaurus rex and Velociraptor).
4) The Arctic Tern has the longest migratory journey, covering around 44,000 miles annually.
5) Kiwi birds, flightless birds native to New Zealand, are notable for laying eggs 15-20% the size of their body.
6) Crows are highly intelligent and can solve complex problems. They even exhibit a form of episodic memory.
7) Owls can rotate their heads up to 270 degrees.
10 ) Common Swifts are remarkable for spending most of their lives in the air. They eat, sleep, and even mate on the wing.
9) The Wandering Albatross has the longest wingspan of any living bird at 2.5–3.5 metres.
10) Toucans have vibrant bills, often larger than their bodies.
11) Starlings are known for their breathtaking aerial displays called murmurations, where large flocks create mesmerizing patterns in the sky.
12) Magpies have been known to hold "funerals" for their deceased counterparts.
13) The Lyrebird is a master mimic, copying chainsaws and camera shutters.
14) Puffins can hold their breath for up to a minute underwater while foraging for fish.
15) Osprey are often considered one of the best water-fishing birds. With front-facing eyes, their binocular vision helps them accurately judge distances and spot fish underneath the water's surface.

Bird Day emphasizes the importance of preserving these remarkable creatures and their ecosystems. Thanks for reading!

A year ago, British Columbia banned the MANUFACTURING and IMPORT of many single-use plastic items. Today, these items are now officially prohibited from being SOLD!

You won't find these items in BC stores anymore:

- Plastic checkout bags
- Plastic cutlery (knives, forks, spoons, sporks, chopsticks)
- Plastic stir sticks and spill prevention sticks
- Plastic foodservice ware like clamshell containers, lidded containers, boxes, cups, plates, bowls, as well as those made from styrofoam or oxo-degradable plastic (containing bio-additives to help them break down faster, falsely marketed as being "biodegradable" but responsible for producing microplastics - horrible stuff!)

Coming in June, plastic ring containers (used for pop and beer) and flexible straws packaged with beverage containers will also be prohibited from being sold.

Single-use plastic is allowed for medical supplies, and styrofoam will still be found in your grocery store meat section (that ban is coming in July 2030), but we'll get there!

It's progress, folks, and worth celebrating!

More info:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023ENV0046-001143

Save $$$ and learn about GREEN web hosting!

In honour of , read our recent blog post to learn all about the environmental benefits of Fairwind’s clean energy hosting, using wind and solar power. In the post, you will find a special PROMO CODE for 15% OFF your first year of green web hosting! Valid through Nov. 30, new customers only.

https://www.fairwindcreativestudio.com/blog/what-is-green-web-hosting/

Let’s Shoot the Breeze About Green Web Hosting | Fairwind Creative Discover the benefits of green web hosting and how it combats environmental challenges. Opt for sustainable web solutions today!

Fairwind Creative has officially offset 1 TON of pollution by powering all of our office operations with Bullfrog Power! Supporting is something every business can do, large or small. Bullfrog supports critical community-based wind and solar projects across Canada, including Indigenous schools.

To celebrate the we’ve achieved so far, here’s a fun comparison showing other things that weigh 1 ton… 😂

Between 1883 and 1996, the residential schools program operated 183 schools (132 federally run), largely operated by certain churches and religious organizations and administered and funded by the Canadian federal government as a key aspect of colonialism. An estimated 150,000 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children attended residential schools during this period. Over 6,000 child deaths were recorded to have occurred as a result of those programs (via data from 2015), but we continue to learn that that number was much higher. Every year, more unmarked graves are discovered.

Students were stripped of their youth, culture, and identity, and torn away from their parental models. They were severely abused, experimented on, unloved, and given no nurturing. They lived without electricity and running water, and in tents where winter temperatures often reached -40 C. Thousands were laid to rest in mass graves or simply unaccounted for.

Canada did not apologize for this sad chapter in history until June 11, 2008.

started in 2013 to honour Phyllis Webstad of Williams Lake, BC – a Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) First Nation residential school survivor from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band) who had her orange shirt taken away from her on the first day of school. Together we fight to remind the world of the barbaric treatment and long-lasting psychological turmoil Canadian children endured in those schools for over a century. Very few survivors had a realistic chance of living normal lives, but Phyllis is one who used her experience to help ensure this type of injustice will never again take place in our country.

Thank you for taking the time to honour the survivors and spread awareness. Together, we will ensure that all First Nations children are given the same opportunities as all children in this country.

WE JUST PLANTED 500 TREES!
🌲🌲🌲🌲😃🌲🌲🌲🌲

Happy Plant a Tree Day!

Plant a Tree Day started in 2018 when 30 community reforestation events were organized by One Tree Planted engaging 600 volunteers to plant over 7,000 trees and shrubs. Today, Plant a Tree Day has grown into a global movement that brings us together to make a positive environmental impact, inspiring thousands of nature lovers around the world to plant trees, establish community gardens, remove invasive species, clean up litter from parks and beaches, and more!

We are celebrating Plant a Tree Day by planting 250 trees (5% of the value from a few recent projects) — and One Tree Planted has DOUBLED our impact, resulting in 500 total trees planted! 🙏💕🌲

Thank you for being an amazing partner in the fight against climate change! ❤️

Last week Fairwind attended a "Zero Waste Living" workshop at the Victoria Compost Education Centre, co-hosted by the Capital Regional District (CRD). The Compost Centre is AMAZING, and we learned so much! We'll definitely be returning for some composting classes!

Here are 25 WAYS you can reduce your household waste:

1. Shop carefully to avoid overconsumption - if you cook too much, freeze the excess.

2. Use a shampoo bar or refillable bulk shampoo.

3. Instead of dryer sheets, use wool dryer balls.

4. Opt for secondhand items to extend their lifespan.

5. Turn kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich compost soil for your garden.

6. Purchase washable/reusable facial cleansing cloths.

7. Ditch plastic bags for reusable ones.

8. Wash most of your clothes in cold water, and use shorter cycles.

9. Replace disposable straws with stainless steel or bamboo.

10. Store food in glass or reusable glass or stainless steel containers.

11. Eliminate single-use plastic bottles.

12. Swap paper napkins for reusable cloth ones.

13. Choose cloth diapers over disposable diapers.

14. Purchase bulk grains, beans, coffee, tea, spices, snacks, and more from bulk bins - and use your own reusable containers.

15. Make your own cleaning products or choose eco-friendly options.

16. Use sustainable toiletry products like bamboo toothbrushes and reusable facial cloths.

17. Switch to LED bulbs and reduce energy consumption.

18. Fix broken items before buying new ones.

19. Use public transit, carpool, bike, or walk.

20. Choose appliances with high energy ratings.

21. Collect rainwater in rain barrels for gardening.

22. For parties, use reusable plates, utensils, and decorations instead of ones made from paper and plastic.

23. Use your dryer as little as possible - use a clothesline or drying rack.

24. Practice up-cycling! Repurpose old items into something new.

25. Fill empty space in the freezer with containers of water to save electricity - also great for when the power goes out.

HAVE MORE IDEAS? We'd love to hear them!

If you've chosen WordPress as your website platform, you're already ahead of the game. And if you're just getting your bearings, or are on a budget, there are thousands of convenient pre-made themes readily available.

However, the "plug and play" approach doesn't work for everyone. There are downsides to choosing an existing theme, and some include excess built-in code that slows down your pages, performance and layout limitations, and security concerns like vulnerable code and malware backdoors.

Just like having a tailor make you a suit made-to-fit, the more sophisticated alternative is custom WordPress development. A custom-built website is like a personalized masterpiece that truly reflects your identity and makes your website special - one that's truly yours and which aligns with your brand, goals, and requirements. It provides greater flexibility, performance, security, and scalability needed for long-term success, making it a valuable investment for your businesses or organization. If you're interested in custom WordPress design, talk to us today!

Learn more in our recent blog post:
https://www.fairwindcreativestudio.com/elevate-your-business-with-a-custom-website/

Elevate Your Business with a Custom Website | Fairwind Creative Having a custom website boosts your brand identity, encourages trust, helps build viewership, and improves search engine rankings!

During these desperate times, we need to work together to help those who can't help themselves. The residents of Yellowknife and other parts of NWT are being evacuated quickly, and terrified pets sometimes hide out or seek their own shelter. Animals don't have the same support chain as humans, and they depend on our help. The Northwest Territories SPCA has an emergency wildfire relief fund in place to help save the lives of animals rescued from these life-threatening conditions. Fairwind donated $250 today, and we hope you will consider chipping in as well.

Fairwind is passionate about pachyderms! 🐘 In honour of , here are 7 facts about these fascinating and iconic creatures!

1) Elephants are known for their remarkable memory. They can remember complex routes to water sources, recognize other elephants and humans after long periods of separation, and even show signs of grieving for deceased members of their herd.

2) Elephants communicate using a wide range of vocalizations, including trumpeting, rumbling, and growling sounds, which can convey different emotions and messages over long distances. They also use body language, ear positions, and trunk gestures to communicate with each other.

3) Elephants are among the most intelligent animals on Earth. They exhibit problem-solving skills, self-awareness, and have demonstrated the ability to use tools, such as using sticks to swat flies or scratch themselves.

4) Elephants are highly social animals and live in complex family structures led by a matriarch. Male elephants (bulls) often lead solitary lives or join temporary male groups.

5) Elephant pregnancies last about 22 months, allowing for the development of the offspring's large and highly developed brain.

6) Elephants have an excellent sense of smell, used for finding food, detecting water sources, and identifying the scent of other animals or potential threats.

7) Elephants are massive eaters and can consume hundreds of pounds of vegetation in a single day. They also require up to 50 gallons (190 liters) of water per day.

🐘 It's no wonder their unique qualities make them one of the most captivating species on our planet! The current estimated population of elephants living in the wild is 497,000. In 1979 there were 1.3 million.

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Did you know that paper can be made from organic materials like h**p, seaweed, flax, wheat, coconut, and bamboo? No trees required! 🌲💕

The materials you choose for your branded merchandise and marketing materials says a lot about your company’s social ethics. The more we learn about the enormous importance of trees, we are encouraged to seek out alternate materials for printing and packaging. And if you care about the environment as much as we do, you need to learn about NEXT-GEN FIBRES! In this new article, we examine the environmental benefits of next-gen paper alternatives, and explore some of the sustainable production methods emerging in the fascinating eco-friendly paper industry.

Eco-Friendly Paper Alternatives: Next Gen Fibres Explore how you can use eco-friendly paper alternatives like Next-Gen Fibres to reduce your business's ecological impact.

It’s and a great opportunity to recognize this AMAZING creature! Sadly, their numbers continue to dwindle, and they need our help more than ever. Join us in making a difference!

Fairwind understands the critical role that website speed plays in delivering an exceptional online experience. We strive to improve website performance and page speed for our clients, ensuring they captivate their audience and achieve their business goals. In this comprehensive blog post, we will explore page speed optimization techniques tailored for different website platforms. We’ll discuss how improving website performance impacts user satisfaction and search engine rankings, and provide actionable page speed techniques to help you unlock the full potential of your website!

The post:
https://www.fairwindcreativestudio.com/improve-website-performance/

In preparation for their upcoming centennial celebration happening in October, the historic Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary (VHMBS) collaborated with two Victoria design agencies - Thom Klos Creative and Fairwind Creative. The efforts were managed and coordinated by Judith Cullington and Carly Bilney of Judith Cullington & Associates.

Victoria's harbours provide critical habitat for valuable wildlife including birds, fish, mammals, mollusks, crustaceans, plants, and other organisms including several federally designated species at risk. It covers 30km of Victoria’s coastline and is home to about 270 bird species. VHMBS is chaired by naturalist Jacques Sirois of Friends of Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary Partner, Greater Victoria NatureHood, and Nature Canada.

As this marks its 100th year, this coalition of conservation groups is taking this opportunity to remind us all about the harbours' unique location, next to a busy urban area, and how "nature in the city" is a way of life here. This region is an important roosting and overwintering site for a large number of bird species that use this vital habitat seasonally or year-round.

Events will be hosted from October 26-28, 2023 in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary (VHMBS) with the purpose of nurturing connections and expressing gratitude, as well as sharing wisdom and inspiration. A 'Conservation and Education Fund' is being established to provide funding for for youth as well as continued and conservation throughout the Sanctuary.

Thom Klos Creative and Fairwind Creative were honoured to be a part of this amazing project! Thank you, Judith and Carly, for keeping us organized and on task! We would be honoured to collaborate on more successful projects like this, aimed to raise awareness about the critical species and ecosystems that depend upon our community's support.

For more information, please visit the new VHMBS website at www.vhmbs.com.

If your organization is in need of , , and services, reach out at any time!

Today we celebrate World Orca Day! In recognition of this remarkable species, here are 10 facts you may not have known!

1) Even though orcas are also known as killer whales, they are the largest member of the dolphin family.

2) They're huge! Orcas measure 5.5 - 9.8 metres in length. (Females are usually smaller than males.) Males can weigh up to 5,500 kg (11,000 lbs) and females 3,600 kg (8,000 lbs).

3) Orcas evolved from a small deer-like species that roamed the earth more than 50 million years ago.

4) Pearly whites! Orcas have 100 pointed teeth used to grasp and kill their prey.

5) They have a varied diet! Orcas feed on a wide variety of prey, from marine mammals and fish, to seabirds and marine turtles. Adult orcas eat around 3-4% of their body weight in food each day.

6) Orcas can live for up to 90 years, with females usually living longer than males. However, their average lifespan of females is 50 years, males 29 years.

7) An orca's core body temperature is about 36.4º to 38ºC (97.5º to 100.4ºF) — close to that of a human.

😎 Orcas can swim at speeds of up to 45 kph (28 mph), but probably only for a few seconds at a time. They usually cruise at much slower speeds, less than 13 kph (8 mph).

9) Although not generally deep divers, foraging killer whales can dive to at least 100 m (328 ft.) or more.

10) They're pretty chatty! Orcas communicate through a range of clicks, whistles, pulsed calls, squeals, squeaks and screams. Orcas have distinct languages within their family groups.

11) Orcas are pregnant for 17 months! Female orcas start breeding at around 6-10 years old, males at 10-13 years. Females may give birth every 3-5 years.

12) They're world travelers! Some orcas migrate long distances, for example one was tracked travelling a non-stop roundtrip of almost 9,400 km!

13) Orcas face many threats. 😞 Moving boats and underwater noise can disrupt orcas when they are feeding and affect their social interactions and echolocation. Overfishing… toxic contamination from pesticides and industrial chemicals… HUMANS ARE SLOWLY KILLING THEM.

ORCAS ARE NOT HERE TO PERFORM TRICKS AND ENTERTAIN YOU. SEALIFE PARKS NEED TO BE ABOLISHED!

A warm thank you, Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society, for your kind words! ❤️ It has been such an honour to support your website needs over the past several years! Here’s to many more!

Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society – Preservation Through Education Since 1987 Northwest wildlife preservation society Preservation Through Education Wildlife Education Programs "See the forest through the tree." — John Muir Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society is a non-profit that has been preserving wildlife in the Pacific Northwest since 1987. We provide free wildlife ...

Everyone has the power to help protect the environment. You don’t have to be a scientist, and you don’t have to be rich. Through our partnership with One Tree Planted, Fairwind Creative donates 5% of all our sales to planting trees worldwide. A few days ago, we planted 100 trees in Alberta, as requested by one of our clients, whose project made this possible. Let’s keep up the great work, guys! 🌲🌳🌴🌲🌳

Happy World Sea Turtle Day!

Climate change poses a significant threat to sea turtles. Rising temperatures can skew the gender ratio of hatchlings, as warmer sand tends to produce more females. Additionally, sea level rise can erode nesting beaches and disrupt nesting patterns. Fairwind is proud to do our part to help protect the oceans and beaches by supporting organizations like Ocean Wise, WWF, and Surfrider – groups who combat pollution and fight for cleaner oceanic habitats for wildlife.

Here are 5 amazing facts about sea turtles:

1) Sea turtles are ancient creatures that have been around for over 100 million years, making them some of the oldest reptiles on Earth.

2) It is estimated that only about 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000 baby sea turtles make it to adulthood. After hatching from their nests on the beach, they must quickly make their way to the ocean, avoiding predators like birds, crabs, and other animals. Once in the water, they face additional threats such as predation by larger marine animals and the risk of getting entangled in fishing gear or consuming plastic debris.

3) Some sea turtles species are capable of diving up to 1,000 meters deep.

4) Female sea turtles return to the same beach where they were born to lay their eggs, a behavior known as natal homing. They use Earth's magnetic field and other cues to navigate back to their nesting sites.

5) Sea turtles are crucial for maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. They help control seagrass and jellyfish populations, and their eggs provide nutrients to dune vegetation.

Sea turtles are protected by international agreements and national laws in many countries. Efforts are underway to reduce plastic pollution, establish marine protected areas, and implement sustainable fishing practices to ensure the survival of these magnificent creatures for future generations.

It’s Global Wind Energy Day! 💨 As such, Fairwind Creative would like to remind our followers that we provide wind-powered web hosting as part of our efforts to support sustainable business methods! Check out our website to learn more. https://fairwindcreative.com




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Ever wonder what it takes to create content that packs a punch? ✨ Many people know that having ample content helps a website achieve better search engine rankings… But then what? Do readers stay on your site once they get there? You need to keep them engaged, and encourage them to take action! Check out our recent blog post for some helpful tips for punching up your content visually. Keeping your readers engaged will help you find greater success!

Visual Content Marketing: 7 Ways to Kill It On Google | Fairwind Creative | Sustainable Graphic and Web Design Visual content marketing includes graphics, videos and site design and helps create a positive impression for your website visitors.

Wishing all the moms out there a wonderful day! Thanks for everything you do! ❤️🌸💫

A long time ago… on this planet… forests covered much more of our land. Without them, crucial ecosystems vanish, and their importance cannot be ignored. In the words of Luke, “the energy between all things - a tension, a balance, that binds the universe together.” But never fear! The FOREST is strong with us! Through our partnership with , we’ve already planted HUNDREDS of trees this year! Help us continue the battle for good!

is a great opportunity to remind the world about the importance of trees. Fairwind Creative donates 5% of all our sales to One Tree Planted. Through this partnership, we are doing our part to green the planet! ❤️🌍🌳

Today is Stop Food Waste Day, a global effort to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of our society’s wasteful habits when it comes to food, and to strive to educate others and ignite change. Wasting food also wastes the energy it took to grow, harvest, process, and cook it. When food ends up in landfills, it contributes to the overabundance of methane emissions that are choking our plant. So… CLEAN YOUR PLATE, FOLKS! ❤️🙏

Fairwind Creative just planted 200 trees in Brazil! 🌱🌲🌴🌿🌲

Plant a FREE TREE with One Tree Planted Love nature? Get a free tree planted! Together we can make an impact to help the planet.

🐧 is celebrated on the 25th April each year, as this is roughly the date of this amazing creature's annual, northward migration.

Penguins are native to Antarctica, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Peru, the Falkland Islands, and the Galapagos Islands. Of the 18 different penguin species, only two (the Emperor and Adélie) are actually true Antarctic residents, and these represent the largest population of penguins worldwine, with an estimated 600,000 Emperor penguins (see photo above) and 14-16 million Adélie penguins, but sadly, their numbers are rapidly reclining.

A new study released by the Word Economic Forum shows that the 34-million-year-old Antarctic ice sheet is on a trajectory to disappear around the end of this century as a result of humanity's devastating global greenhouse gas emissions over our 2.5 centuries of industrialism. About 78% of the total greenhouse gas emissions increased from 1970 to 2011, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as a result of emissions from fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes.

The ice-covered continent of , surrounded by the Southern Ocean, holds 90% of the world’s ice, and 95% of its oldest and thickest ice is already gone. Not only will the melting ice from our northern and southern poles wreak havoc on several countries, but unique species like the Emperor penguin will lose their entire habitat. In fact, 98% of the emperor penguin population could all but disappear by 2100, and so your great-grandchildren will likely learn about this incredible species, as well as Arctica's polar bears, from the archives of extinct animal species.

In order to save the glaciers, global will need to be reduced by 45% by 2030. "The best science we have tells us that to avoid the worst impacts of , we must globally achieve carbon emissions no later than 2050" (The Nature Conservancy, 2018).

We humans are not historically prone to sacrifice luxuries, and so to put a stop to this melting will take a powerful global mindset and enforceable regulations.



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Happy , friends! 🌎❤️ The theme for this 53rd annual event, “Invest in Our Planet”, is a battle cry urging us to accelerate the adaptation of , , and practices. We all can and MUST do more! Read our article to learn how our way of life is changing.

Earth Day 2023: Invest in Our Planet | Sustainable Graphic Design The theme this 53th Earth Day, "Invest in Our Planet" urges us to accelerate climate action. Here are some ways our actions are helping!

Wishing all of our friends a happy Easter! Spring is here, so reach out if you’re ready to “hop to it” and plant some green marketing initiatives! 🌱 Lots of goodies in our basket of earth-friendly services!

Such gorgeous and amazing creatures, the sea wolves! ❤️

Islander captures video of sea wolf swimming near Kyuquot in 'beautiful' moment A Vancouver Island woman and her dog on board a water taxi were in for a howl when spotting a Vancouver Coastal sea wolf swimming past them. Maxine Gillette lives near Kyuquot and was travelling back from Campbell River with her German shepherd, Hiyuu, when she spotted a furry head bobbing