NuSarnia Foundation
NuSarnia Foundation is a community-led nonprofit in Sarnia-Lambton that builds neighbourhood connection through small-scale placemaking, active transportation programs, trail stewardship, youth engagement, and public art. The foundation mobilizes volunteers and partners for projects such as trail clean-ups, bike buses, tree plantings, benches, kindness mailboxes, and public events, measuring success by stronger human connections and safer, greener public spaces.
🕰️ Organization Hours:
Last updated on Feb 8th, 2026
Recent Activity
Docs at Dusk – The Engine Inside
Docs at Dusk screens The Engine Inside at the Sarnia Library Theatre on April 8, with doors at 6:00 PM and the film at 6:30 PM. This free NuSarnia Foundation event is the final Social Justice Film Series screening and includes a community discussion after the film about cycling and connection in Sarnia Lambton.
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Community engagement social post
NuSarnia Foundation posted a community prompt on 2026-04-02 asking Sarnia residents to name everyday places where they run into neighbours, pause, or feel connected. The short social post highlights that Connection is the foundation's top metric and invites quick comments to crowdsource local spots like trails, cafes, and benches.
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Myth vs. Fact: Organizing Bike Buses
NuSarnia Foundation debunks the myth that bike buses are hard to organize, noting a simple route and a few families are often enough to get started. The post invites readers to request guidance on organizing their own bike bus and emphasizes that the effort usually becomes easier as the group grows.
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Small interventions that build connection
NuSarnia Foundation suggests four small, practical ways to build everyday connection in public space, from a bench on the Midtown Trail to a community mailbox where people leave notes. The short piece argues that third places do not have to be large or costly and offers ready ideas local groups can pilot.
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Climate Action Sarnia-Lambton Earth Day
NuSarnia Foundation will be at Sarnia Library on Saturday, April 18 for Climate Action Sarnia-Lambton Earth Day, offering family friendly activities and community conversations. Stop by to hear what the foundation has been working on and to share local ideas about building a more people focused Sarnia.
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Midtown Trail Spring Clean Up
Join the NuSarnia Foundation on April 25, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM for the Midtown Trail Spring Clean Up to help get the trail ready for the season. This annual volunteer session focuses on trail maintenance and litter removal, and organizers will sign off on community service hours for students; register at the provided signup link.
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Bike buses program overview
NuSarnia Foundation presents a Bike buses program that turns the school commute into a fun group adventure for primary school children, promoting independence, fitness, and social friendships. The brief overview lists five core benefits and invites schools or parents to contact the foundation to learn how to set up the program.
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Request for public input on Economic Development Community Improvement Plan survey
The NuSarnia Foundation is asking for public input on the Economic Development Community Improvement Plan, with the survey open through March 6, 2026 and closing at 4:30 PM. Your responses will help guide future investment, support local businesses, and shape how Sarnia grows, so take a few minutes to share your priorities before the deadline.
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Benefits of a bike bus and contact invitation
The NuSarnia Foundation explains how a bike bus promotes healthy habits, reduces traffic around schools, and strengthens community ties, noting that kids love it. Published on 2026-02-27, the foundation invites schools and parents to contact them to learn how to start a bike bus program in their community.
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Valentines Day mailbox community notes project
NuSarnia Foundation installed three Valentine’s Day mailboxes across Sarnia and collected 30 handwritten notes over five days, with participation in Murphy Beach, Midtown Trail/Howard Watson Bisect, and Mitton Village. The small, low barrier project focused on building community connection, which NuSarnia cites as its top metric for wellbeing.
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Bike bus inspiration and participation invite
NuSarnia Foundation shares Waterloo's example of a successful bike bus program and invites families and volunteers to help start a similar pilot locally. The note highlights weekly community rides grown from small beginnings and asks interested people to contact NuSarnia Foundation to join the first wave.
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Sarnia Economic Development Community Improvement Plan — Public Survey
NuSarnia Foundation asks Sarnia residents to complete a public survey to help shape the City's Economic Development Community Improvement Plan. The plan aims to attract new investment, support local businesses, and create jobs; share your priorities at https://www.speakupsarnia.ca/edcip.
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Inspiring Bike Buses in Ontario
Bike buses in Ontario are proving that children can safely ride to school together with the support of families and volunteers, inspiring communities across North America.
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Strengthening Neighbourhood Connections
Strengthening Neighbourhood Connections encourages community members to engage in small actions that foster stronger, more connected neighbourhoods.
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2025 Community Engagement Summary
In 2025, the Sarnia community thrived through various initiatives led by the NuSarnia Foundation, showcasing the power of collaboration and community-led change.
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2025 Community Projects Overview
The 2025 Community Projects Overview highlights the transformative impact of community-led initiatives in Sarnia, showcasing achievements and looking forward to continued engagement in 2026.
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Tree Planting Initiative on Midtown Trail
The Tree Planting Initiative on Midtown Trail, supported by NuSarnia Foundation, has successfully planted 100 new trees, enhancing the community's environment and aesthetics.
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Support for Community Projects
Support NuSarnia's community projects this Giving Tuesday by donating to help transform everyday spaces into vibrant places for everyone in Sarnia.
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#BlackFridayParking Challenge
Participate in the #BlackFridayParking Challenge on November 29, 2025, by sharing photos of parking lots in your community to highlight space utilization!
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Support NuSarnia on Giving Tuesday
This Giving Tuesday, support NuSarnia Foundation to help create community-led projects and strengthen neighborhood connections on December 2, 2025.
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Brights Grove Library & Community Hub Project Support
The Brights Grove Library & Community Hub project is seeking community support to secure funding after being removed from the budget. Residents are encouraged to send letters to City Council to advocate for this important initiative.
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Mitton Street Design Feedback Request
NuSarnia Foundation invites you to provide feedback on three new design concepts for Mitton Street, focusing on safety, accessibility, and vibrancy, before the deadline on November 10 at 4:30 PM.
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Midtown Trail Cleanup Event
Join the Midtown Trail Cleanup Event on October 26, 2025, where community volunteers helped collect 25 bags of trash and 6 shopping carts, making a positive impact on the environment.
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Midtown Trail Clean-Up Event
Join the Midtown Trail Clean-Up Event on October 21, 2025, from 9 AM to 12 PM, to help keep the Midtown Trail and Howard Watson Nature Trail beautiful.
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Community Clean-Up Event
Join the Community Clean-Up Event on October 25, 2025, from 9 AM to 12 PM, to help maintain the Midtown Trail and Howard Watson Nature Trail, with all supplies provided.
