Meet the Team
Viviana is a Colombian/Newfoundlander & Labradorian environmental scientist, mother, and social entrepreneur, living in St. John’s. With the support of many individuals and organizations, she started her community composting journey in 2021 with Georgestown Composting, a program that allows 26 households to divert their organics from the landfill (about 3 tons a year!) and convert them into Black Gold. Learning the incredible benefits of this program, the ease of being replicated, and the urgent need to bring composting to every community through a small-scale model prompted her to start the process of the NL Composting Co-operative. The Co-op is bringing people together to support waste reduction, local food production, and take climate action through small-scale composting: The Seed that Feeds Many Birds!
Derek is an artist, grower, educator, entertainer, and composter. Through GreeningArt, he supports environmental waste reduction initiatives, event services, plant sales, and arts-based community work.
Since 1998, Derek has studied with Indigenous Elders and served as a Fire Keeper with Algonquin communities, while helping with gatherings and projects with many Nations. Guided by Grandfather William Commanda of the Circle of All Nations, he helped create interactive themed Prayer Canvasses exploring historic human rights issues, including the Beothuk, residential schools, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and peace.
After supporting literacy, safety, and education initiatives in Ottawa, Derek returned to Newfoundland and Labrador in 2005. Since then, he has helped grow community projects such as Rabbitown Community Garden, the Earth Day Eco Market, and other environmental and educational initiatives. With a background in gardening and tropical indoor landscaping, he continues to grow edible plants and support local food production, composting, and community learning, including with the NL Compost Cooperative.
Our History
An informal NL Community Composting Network sprouted in March 2023 inspired by existing small-scale composting programs in NL and recognizing the urgency, need, and support to enhance and replicate this model.
For over a year, the Steering Committee, made up of people from across the province, focused their vision on empowering collective climate action through small-scale community composting.
For over a year, the Steering Committee, made up of people from across the province, focused their vision on empowering collective climate action through small-scale community composting.
We officially became a co-operative in August 2024, and we’re excited to start growing and adding to our network.
