The Brock community is invited to participate in upcoming seed-packing and seed-planting events hosted as part of the University’s Seed Library initiative. Library Engagement Assistant Sara Nixon, left, displays some of the seeds available in the Seed Library alongside Master of Sustainability students and Research Assistants Madison Lepp, centre, and Alexandra Cotrufo, right. Brock University’s Seed Library is getting ready for its second season with two upcoming events aimed at educating the community about sustainable gardening practices.
A collaboration between the Brock University Library and the Brock University Project Charter, the Seed Library offers free seeds to community members to “borrow” and plant during the spring and summer. Once gardening season is over, participants are asked to harvest seeds from their plants and return a batch to the Seed Library. Recently added seed varieties available in the library include mini purple daikon radish, zinnia and green onion.
Two events this spring will help spread awareness of the initiative and help educate the community on the importance of biodiversity and healthy ecosystems, supporting pollinator populations, and protecting rare, endangered, native and/or culturally important seeds.
A drop-in seed-packing event is set to take place Friday, March 31 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Classroom B of the Matheson Learning Commons. The volunteer event is tailored to students earning credits towards their Campus-Wide Co-Curriculum but is open to anyone who would like to help pack seeds. Hours can also be used towards completion of the World Wildlife Fund Living Planet Leader certification. Registration is encouraged via ExperienceBU.
A drop-in seed-planting event aimed at educating Brock community members about sustainable at-home gardening practices will take place Thursday, April 13 from noon to 2 p.m. in Classroom B of the Matheson Learning Commons. Participants will learn about the seed germination process and growing trends of the most popular plant varieties available through the Seed Library. The event is open to all Brock community members and is expected to be a fun de-stressing activity for both employees and students, who can take their newly planted seeds home with them to later plant in their gardens. Participants can choose from a curated selection of herbs, flowers and vegetables and can plant up to six varieties to take home with them. Soil, potting materials and tools will be available for participants to use at the event. Brock Dining Services has donated recycled egg cartons to be used as potting containers. Registration is encouraged via ExperienceBU.
To learn more about the Brock University Seed Library and how to participate, visit Brock’s Seed Library website.
