Submitted by Pamela Boyd
Mark Your calendars!!!
On Saturday, June 15th, Sunnyhill will be planting a Food Forest Pilot Project in the south amphitheatre (between walkway and back yards of 744-748). We have been successful in receiving a grant of $3,500 for this project from Tree Canada, a national organization, and its local partner, Pembina Pipeline. The work will be done in collaboration with Sunshine Earth Works, a Calgary permaculture organization “committed to repairing the earth one yard at a time.”
What is a food forest? “Forest gardening is a low-maintenance, sustainable, plant-based food production and agroforestry system based on woodland ecosystems, incorporating fruit and nut trees, shrubs, herbs, vines, and perennial vegetables that have yields directly useful to humans.”
Under the guidance of Jeremy Zoller and his crew from Sunshine Earth Works, the Grounds Committee, co-op members, and volunteers from Pembina will be removing sod, preparing the soil, and planting trees and shrubs. This should all be done between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 15.
Although the south amphitheatre is a fairly small space, it will accommodate four new fruit trees, along with a number of taller and smaller edible shrubs, herbs, and other perennials in the mid-level and understory beneath the trees. Mulch walkways will replace the grass, and there will be informational signage.
Lunch will be provided for all workers and likely even a case or two of beer at the end of the day to celebrate completion. Plan to join us in participating with our community in some healthy physical labour to bring this fabulous spring project to fruition (pun intended).
** Sign up for a shift with Andrea in the office.