Biochar Ontario and Walker Renewables Partner at Eco Fest Niagara

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) April 5, 2010 -- Biochar Ontario and Walker Renewables Partner at Eco Fest Niagara

Press Release Source: Biochar Ontario
Wednesday April 06, 2010, 8:00 am EST

TORONTO, Canada – Biochar Ontario is teaming up with Walker Renewable Energy (WRE) of Niagara during Climate Action Niagara’s Eco Fest Niagara 2010 Environmental Trade Show, which will be held on Sunday April 18, 2010.

Biochar is an organic matter byproduct of the low temperature pyrolysis of biomass with greater ability to retain nutrients than conventional organic amendments while being highly stable against decay. It is essentially a fine-grained, highly porous charcoal that helps soils retain soil nutrients and water, and is a practice that is based on the practice of

converting agricultural waste into a soil enhancer that can hold carbon, boost food security and discourage deforestation. The process of converting waste into biochar is considered to be “carbon-negative” since the carbon in biochar resists degradation and can remain viable in soils for hundreds to thousands of years. Biochar is the world’s oldest and only proven carbon capture and sequestration method, and is produced through pyrolysis or gasification processes that heat biomass in the absence of oxygen. The creation of a Biochar industry in Ontario would open the door to a new local and global carbon management industries based on well-developed Canadian technologies.
The establishment of a Biochar industry in Ontario would not only provide valuable soil amendments, but could also become the commodity of the New Carbon Economy. The process could become the remedy that recovers value from effluents, turning them into a suitable soil and crop-enhancing additives that close the loop in the carbon cycle and ensure carbon is recaptured from the warming atmosphere. With biochar, we may be able to substantially reduce the leakage of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus into the biosphere.

Additionally, the production of Biochar could be used to help offset the local and global carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels. Lloyd Helferty, President of Biochar Ontario noted, “We have been facilitating many of the studies that are either underway or will be taking place in Ontario using biochar.”
Biochar Ontario is pleased to see that a new company is being established in the Niagara Region and hopes to see WRE succeed in establishing a solid market for its products.
Over the past several months Biochar Ontario has been assisted by a number of progressive farmers and advocates for sustainable energy and agriculture. Mr. Helferty continued, “Our attendance at Eco Fest Niagara is part of our effort at bringing awareness of this technology and making Biochar mainstream so the practice can help clean up our

environment, address climate change and bring jobs to the region.”

About Biochar Ontario
Biochar Ontario is a not-for-profit organization that is the lead promoter and facilitator
for all aspects of research, application, and dissemination of information relating to
biochar in the province. Our mission is to promote biochar as a vehicle to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, improve soil fertility, and enhance food security by advocating
research, development and commercialization of biochar.

About Walker Renewables (WRE)

Walker Renewable Energy is a start-up company located in the Niagara Region that is
focusing on value-added products from agricultural waste. John Walker, President, has
been in the environmental industry for the past 15 years developing waste diversion
systems and alternative uses for post-industrial raw materials. WRE has already helped to
develop a biomass fuel business for a waste transfer company in the Niagara peninsula,
has recognized the need for an answer to the growing agricultural waste problem in the
region and believes the application of biochar as a soil amendment is the most promising

method of carbon sequestration we have available today.

About the Eco Fest Niagara 2010 Environmental Trade Show
Climate Action Niagara's 3rd annual Eco Fest of environmental products and services
takes place Sunday, April 18, 2010. Eco Fest Niagara celebrates businesses and products
that benefit the planet, whether they are showcasing better practices, alternative products
or simply products that can be purchased locally.
It will be a fun-filled day of local food, speakers, guided hikes, prizes, presentations and

demonstrations. You won't want to miss this day as we celebrate all things green!
Eco Fest Niagara takes place at the Niagara College Campus
Address: 135 Taylor Road, Niagara on the Lake
Date: Sunday, April 18, 2010 Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Admission: FREE admission to the public

Contact:
Biochar Ontario
Lloyd Helferty, Engineering Technologist, President
Biochar Ontario
Thornhill, ON Tel: 905-707-8754

John Walker
Walker Renewable Energy
Niagara, ON Tel: 905.359.2038

Jane Hanlon, Exec Dir
Climate Action Niagara
Welland ON Tel: 289 820 6440

Biochar     climate     environment     niagara     ontario     renewable energy