smlambert
commented
1 year ago Below are some ideas from a previous emails I have sent on the topic:
I will lay out some of the future plans we have on the educational front, some of the near-term ones are already underway:
Tree Seed Collection & Sapling Starts
- train a core team of volunteers for tree seed certification, that core team will then lead practical+educational tree seed collection forays to a broader volunteer base (this also helps increase our supply chain of healthy native trees)
- this collection activity then leads into the stratification and growing out of those tree seeds in our community tree hub We are discussing whether we offer this activity to school groups, following this curriculum, https://www.seedstosaplings.ca/grow-a-native-tree.html, and tying in 2 pieces of such a project to our base of operations and tree seed collection expertise, both the tree seed collection forays, and giving students the opportunity to grow a tree seedling at home, and bring it back to our community tree hub to plant and grow, until it can be moved to its final destination (done as part of our many planting events during the following years).
Fact Sheets
- Develop a set of online collateral to teach people how to plant and care for trees, how to manage invasive species, troubleshoot problems seen in their local 'neighbourwoods', etc.
Interpretive Walking Trails and Self-Guided Tours with Signage
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In the longer term, the Just Food Community Farm, which is the location of our base of operations, is also being added as a site for school tours (in much the same way as MacSkimming Outdoor centre is: https://www.ocdsb.ca/continuing_education/outdoor_education/mac_skimming_programs). The walking trail and self-guided tours with signage that we are creating would become part of the activity list available for school groups to do. Signs would have QR codes which takes folks to more detailed content on food forests, climate mitigation, sustainable forestry management and other related topics.
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I have reached out to offer assistance and collaborate with the Root in Nature group that is creating a Birch Path Healing Forest at the farm as well, as part of that collaboration, I would like to see how we can include Anishinaabemowin language on the walking path signage also.
There is a very good resource here (possibly created under the guidance of Andy, given that UofT forestry is a partner): https://www.seedstosaplings.ca/grow-a-native-tree.html 1) Collect and prepare seeds 2) Growing step by step 3) Plant your seedling
With additional notes for teachers here: https://www.seedstosaplings.ca/for-teachers.html
I do not know which, if any of the Ottawa area schools are using this resource directly. Some follow-up questions in the resources are tuned for the Toronto area, so it might be good to have a set of Capital region questions.
I could envision that we (FCF) potentially play a role in 1) and 3), where student groups take a field trip in the autumn with our tree seed collection team in search of tree seed. Tree seed gathered (and some additional seed stock on hand for backup) would be divided up, for students to follow the steps to stratify the seed, and in the late winter / early spring, tree seeds planted by students as described in 2). As little saplings sprout and grow, they continue to attend to them and when they are a certain age/size, bring them to the FCF community tree hub to grow out a little bit more before being moved as part of a tree planting event to their 'forever home'.
I am not sure about the logistics, size of groups or charging on a per person basis, it will be worth having a board discussion as to our capacity for involvement and where this sits in our 3-5 year strategic plan.
In alignment with our mission of afforestation and biodiversity in the National Capital region, we should look at various educational paths to offer to volunteers and to help connect with broader demographics, including school, youth and seniors groups.
This issue is to capture some ideas and resources that may relate to the overall topic of "education that FCF can offer to the broader community" with the goal of supporting our primary mission, by bring in more volunteers, uplifting their skills, bring more public awareness of our organization and more opportunities to us.