Getting More Green: Grant Writing Workshop

January 4, 2011

The Evergreen workshop experience (Photo: Evergreen)

Winning a new grant starts with writing a superb proposal. “Getting More Green” is one of Evergreen’s leading workshops with hands-on activities and useful resources to help groups get results from their grant proposals. Join us on Monday, January 17, 6–9pm for this invaluable workshop hosted by Evergreen and University of Toronto Mississauga.

Check out some comments from previous workshop participants:

“The group activities really drove the point home and facilitated good conversation within group conversation.  It was good to look at funding from the funders’ perspective.” —from the 2009 workshop at Black Creek Pioneer Village

“Group activities, [a] list of funding sources and other handouts, and viewpoint of funders looking a potential projects.” —from the 2009 workshop at Black Creek Pioneer Village

“There was a nice mix between presented material and hands-on activities.  Case studies and experience of presenters also helpful.” —from the 2008 workshop at Evergreen Brick Works

Find out more about the workshop and how to register on our Events Calendar!

Comments Off | Events, Funding | Permalink
Posted by Kim from Common Grounds

Snowy Bike Ride for Bike Advocacy

December 13, 2010

By Shah Mohamed, Bike Educator, Evergreen

Bike Advocacy Event, Photos: Brian Liberty

Over 170 attendees braved the first snow in Toronto as they walked, biked or used the Evergreen Shuttle to attend the first Bike Advocacy event at Evergreen Brick Works presented by Toronto Cyclists Union (TCU), 8-80 Cities and Evergreen.  Keynote speaker Gil Peñalosa, executive director of 8-80 Cities, talked about designing cities and redesigns that focus on accessibility for all road users.

“Everyone is a cyclist and a pedestrian at some point in the day,” Gil explained, addressing why building functional systems that ensure the safety of everyone is vital.

The afternoon portion of the workshop led by TCU’s Andrea Garcia, director of advocacy and operations, included a wonderful list of knowledgeable speakers.

Dale Duncan, former assistant to Adam Vaughn, provided helpful tips on how to engage your local councilor and build a relationship with them.

Al Rezoski, manager for City of Toronto, spoke on infrastructure changes and how to effectively engage the city in redesign to support a complete streets view point.

Last but not least, Dave Meslin, founder of the TCU, provided some helpful insight on how to leverage all the good things that our new Mayor wishes to do with bikes and infrastructure inside and out of downtown.

Breakout sessions followed with the main event to map actual changes that each of the attending wards would work on implementing this year. Attendees also participated in a trail evaluation through 8-80 Cities to help make the trails more accessible and safe development of the trail routes and access. Group walks and rides to the site were also arranged by CultureLink Newcomers Program, U for Change, Community Matters and the Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office.

Thank you to all who attended and to the partners for making this all come together.

Read more about winter cycling in the Toronto Star.

Comments Off | Events, Evergreen Brick Works, Toronto | Permalink
Posted by Kim from Common Grounds

UTSC Campus Garden Bloomed with Delicious Veggies

December 1, 2010

By: Tooba Shakeel, Stewardship Coordinator, Evergreen

UTSC Garden Celebration, (Photos: Tooba Shakeel)

University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) Garden saw a successful season of growth! On Sept 29, students and staff at UTSC celebrated the harvest by enjoying a delicious salad made from vegetables grown in the University Community Garden. Participants also enjoyed Gourd Bowling using butternut squash!

UTCS Community Garden, (Photos: Tooba Shakeel)

UTSC Garden was established in the spring of 2010 in partnership with the UTSC Sustainability Office and Evergreen. The aim was to provide students and community members a chance to practice gardening and grow vegetables. During the celebration, participants harvested pepper, zucchini, eggplant, onion, parsley, oregano, lemon grass, basil, rosemary, nasturtium and much more. Not only did everyone enjoy a delicious salad but participants also took plenty of vegetables home. The garden has been put to sleep for winter and we hope to have an even better growing season next year!

Click here for information on UTSC Sustainability Office projects and events.

Comments Off | Events, Food, Gardening, Stewardship and Planting, Toronto, Transformations, Volunteer | Permalink
Posted by Kim from Common Grounds

Tree Nursery Grows Up

October 29, 2010

Phyllis Rawlinson Community Tree Nursery (Photo: Evergreen)

The Phyllis Rawlinson Park Tree Nursery is growing up! This fall we propagated more than 1,200 coniferous seeds. Volunteers and community groups helped plant the trees in our newly constructed wooden beds, which were build by Evergreen Youth Interns this past summer.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Posted by Kim from Common Grounds

Fall Stewardship Forum

October 1, 2010

Photo: CVC stewardship forum

Calling all stewards, green thumbs, and interested community members!

Come one, come all and be a part of the “Friends of the Credit” Stewardship Forum. This is a FREE event and includes a complimentary lunch! The event will take place on Saturday October 16, 2010 from 9 am to 3:30pm at the University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Rd. N., Mississauga.

For more information or to register check out, www.creditvalleyca.ca/stewardshipforum.

University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) and Credit Vally Conservation (CVC) are both local Mississauga community partners as part of Evergreen’s Mississauga Stewardship and Restoration program.

Comments Off | Events, Stewardship and Planting, Toronto | Permalink
Posted by Kim from Common Grounds

Turning over a new L.E.A.F.

August 26, 2010

Tree Tenders ecard, Photo: L.E.A.F

Are you interested in looking after your trees but not sure where to start? Trees are a great way to beautify a neighbourhood and a little care will go a long way. Our friends at L.E.A.F. are hosting their Tree Tenders Training Course in Markham, September 2, 5, 7, and 11. Many Evergreen staff and dedicated volunteers have attended and successfully completed the course.

“I have taken the course myself and highly recommend it. We are pleased to be a partner in such a great learning opportunity!” – Lisa Fisk, Program Manager, Richmond Hill Stewardship.

“Informative, practical, great instructors and I am consistently using the information and resources I received in the course.” – Kim Sellers, Program Manager, Mississauga Stewardship.

Learn more and register for the Tree Tenders Training course at L.E.A.F!

Comments Off | Events, Green Tips, In the Field, Native Species, Stewardship and Planting, Uncategorized, Volunteer | Permalink
Posted by Kim from Common Grounds

FALL into planting season early!

August 26, 2010

Fall tree planting event Photo: Evergreen

Get a jump on plating in your local area and join Evergreen and our community partners at fall events!  We have many early autumn events planned for the first week of September and many more to come throughout the season across the GTA.

Join us to plant trees, shrubs and wildflowers on Saturday September 11, 10 am-12 noon in Mississauga at Shelby Park and in Scarborough at Morningside Park .  Check out our online event calendar for more on event details.

Comments Off | Events, Green Tips, In the Field, Native Species, Staff, Stewardship and Planting, Toronto, Uncategorized, Volunteer | Permalink
Posted by Kim from Common Grounds

Friday the Thirteenth Scare: Giant Hogweed

August 13, 2010

Giant Hogweed (Photo: Joe Ferreira, IPM Specialist, City of Brampton)

You may have heard a lot of panic in the news lately about this plant. Even though today is Friday the Thirteenth, we wanted to bring you just the facts:

This towering plant with large, white, umbrella-like flowers may look harmless–or even inviting–but the reality is quite the opposite.  The giant hogweed is an invasive species that produces up to 120,000 seeds that spread by wind and water.  The seeds typically sprout in the first two years but can remain in the ground more than five years, eventually dominating a habitat.  The pesky plant also has natural defenses that can cause various skin irritations.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Posted by Kim from Common Grounds

Tomorrow: Edible Walk in Mississauga

August 11, 2010

Find natural sweets on our edible plant walk. (Photo: Evergreen)

Explore your local park with Evergreen and the City of Mississauga in an Edible Plant Walk tomorrow, Thursday, August 12.  For more information visit our online calendar. Sign up by contacting Emily Adam, eadam@evergreen.ca.

Many native plants provide edible and medicinal benefits and can be a beautiful addition to any garden or greening project.  Native plants that bear fruit also provide wonderful habitat and food for birds, pollinators and small mammals.

Help create urban green corridors, wildlife habitat and beautify your city with native plants. Visit our Native Plant Database to find native, edible plants that will thrive in your garden!

Comments Off | Events, Food, Toronto | Permalink
Posted by Kim from Common Grounds

Summer Project: Backyard Composting

July 30, 2010

Healthy food grows in healthy soil. (Photo: Melissa Yu)

Looking for a summer project that will have rewards all year-long? Start your own backyard composter!

We all know the benefits: Composting creates a nutritious soil supplement while reducing the amount of kitchen waste that goes into landfill or your green bin. But where to start?

There are all kinds of books, reports, and articles that provide abundant detail. To get you on your way, we’ve put together a quick and easy Guide to Backyard Composting (PDF, 451 kB) that will have you playing in the dirt in no time.

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Posted by Kim from Common Grounds

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