The area behind the DayCare Building leading to the East side was not being used and had become a wilderness of invasive weeds. We heard of a plan that might help us to transform this area:
"Salal and Cedar partnered with the Dioceese of New Westminister and received a Conservation B.C. grant to enhance wildlife habitat on the grounds of 10 churches by Spring of 2023."
We applied for the Grant and were given it. Training took place at St.Micheals Multicultural church in Vancouver. Reverend Alicia Greenfield spoke about the plans of the Diocese. She explained the relationship of the Climate Emergency to Biodiversity, and gave a beautiful visual of how a butterfly might start in the grounds of one church in the Diocese and move from one church to another-- once we have established the kinds of gardens that encourage all wild creatures.
Herbalist Leona Browne of the Nisga'a and Gitxan nations spoke of the healing properties of native plants. One key ideaof the workshop was to "celebrate what is possible" rather than focusing on what we can't do or haven't done in the past.
With the grant money and a further Climate Emergency Grant from the Diocese we have been able to have the weeds and ivy cleared and hauled away. We are working weekly, removing dead trees and branches to create a safe pathway behind the daycare leading to the new garden. If all goes well we hope to launch the garden in September and host a workshop on the uses of healing plants at that time.