Outdoors

• The Niagara Escarpment

  Wednesday, August 02, 2023 | By tthayalalingam

  

  By: Thurkkha Thayalalingam

  Brock University is proud to be located atop the Niagara Escarpment, an incredible topographical feature spanning southern Ontario and the United States. Officially designated as a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Biosphere Reserve, the escarpment is a focus for biodiversity conservation and a learning site for sustainability (UNESCO). Within Ontario, the Niagara Escarpment is hundreds of kilometres long from the Niagara River up to Tobermory and Manitoulin Island (Bruce Trail Conservancy). The escarpment also played a critical role in the formation of the landforms for some of the Great Lakes (Ontario, Huron, and Michigan) 

  Things to Do

  There are plenty of activities to do within the Niagara Escarpment during any season, from hiking and camping to skiing. Within the escarpment lies the Bruce Trail, the longest and oldest trail in the country (Bruce Trail Conservancy). As mentioned in one of our previous blog posts on trails in the Niagara Region, the Bruce Trail is a popular route for people of all experience levels. The Niagara Escarpment also features beautiful waterfalls, beaches, and historic sites to explore.  

  Biodiversity 

  The Niagara Escarpment features countless types of ecosystems including cliffs, meadows, coniferous forests, Carolinian forests, and wetlands. The escarpment is also home to over 300 bird species, 55 mammals, 36 reptile and amphibian species, and 90 fish species, making it the Canadian Biosphere Reserve with the greatest ecological diversity (UNESCO). Organizations such as the Bruce Trail Conservancy work to preserve and protect these lands from detrimental human activities while also making the land safe and accessible to the public (Bruce Trail Conservancy). Located so close to the highly urbanized and developed Greater Toronto Area, it is important to maintain the ecological integrity of the escarpment and to also use the valuable green space as a way for people to connect with nature.

  Categories: Niagara, Outdoors, Student Contributor, Sustainability

• Volunteering in Sustainability: How to Find Volunteer Opportunities to Complete your Living Planet Leader Certification

  Tuesday, July 18, 2023 | By tthayalalingam

  By: Brenna Mervyn*

  About the Program 

  The WWF Living Planet Leader program (LPL) has provided an opportunity for students at Brock to complete a certificate in sustainability while completing their degree. LPL is a professionally recognized certification with four main pillars: volunteerism, sustainability in academics, personal sustainability, and leadership. Any student at Brock is eligible to complete this certification, regardless of program or faculty. The following post will be focused on the volunteerism pillar, and how Brock students can complete their 40 hours of volunteer work remotely or in the Niagara Region in relation to sustainability or conservation.  

  Why Volunteering is Important to Sustainability 

  Volunteering and community involvement are key factors in sustainability and conservation. Many organizations working in stewardship or conservation are underfunded. Therefore, volunteerism helps keep parks and events possible for everyone to enjoy. Conservation areas and provincial parks require volunteers to keep areas safe and clean for public use. Volunteers are also key to running community events. Community events aid immensely in spreading awareness of sustainability issues and how to create change in our everyday lives. Volunteerism is also a tool to foster a sense of pride and care for the community we live in. This also amplifies the drive to change the community for the better. Education is also a huge benefit of volunteerism. Many programs for children are volunteer-run, and therefore volunteers play a large role in educating the next generation on issues of sustainability.  

  Portals for Volunteer Opportunities 

  There are various job boards and volunteer sites that compile open volunteer opportunities. These portals are excellent tools when searching for volunteer positions. Keywords such as sustainability, conservation, environment, or climate change can help narrow down results and find a position that is right for you while filling the LPL requirements. Some useful sites are listed below.  

  Experience BU   Indeed  LinkedIn

  Nature Conservancy Canada  Get Involved NPCA  Ontario Streams

  Organizations and Opportunities 

  1. Organize a litter cleanup! 

  The Earth Day Great Global Cleanup is an excellent resource to register litter pickups globally. Their website outlines how to kickstart a cleanup whether it be a private or public event. Organizing a litter pickup is an excellent way to engage with the community while practicing environmental volunteerism and leadership. There is no minimum group size, so whether it be a group of 5 or a group of 50, organizing a litter pickup is a great way to get volunteer hours while enhancing local biodiversity.  

  2. Volunteering with Niagara Parks 

  

  Niagara Parks works to preserve and educate the public on the natural and cultural heritage of the Niagara River Corridor. The Niagara River Corridor is a key to biodiversity in the Niagara Region and is home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna for which Niagara is known for. The Niagara Parks Commission is responsible for the Niagara Glen Naturalization Site and the Dufferin Islands, which are huge tourist destinations (especially during bird migration seasons). Conserving these areas under high stress from tourism requires work from volunteers to manage the sites and educate the community and tourists of their importance. This means that Niagara Parks offers various opportunities to get involved through special events, tree planting, or site management. Their site has a list of many volunteer opportunities, and they even offer a volunteer appreciation program for continued participation!  

  3. Volunteer with the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority 

  

  The NPCA is a resource management agency working on local watershed preservation and conservation. Volunteer opportunities can be found based in various fields. Whether you’re interested in working with children, site maintenance, conservation, or volunteering for special events, there are many opportunities to find the right fit for you. The NPCA is also running the Balls Falls Nature School beginning this September, which is an excellent opportunity to work with and educate children on conservation and sustainability.  

  4. Organize or participate in a BioBlitz! 

  Now, you may be asking, what on Earth is a BioBlitz? A BioBlitz is a community event which creates a biological survey of an environment to log anthropogenic impacts, population density, invasive species, and biodiversity composition. A BioBlitz encourages citizen scientists, community members, and students to participate using surveying apps such as iNaturalist to make identification quick, easy, and accurate.  Last month, Brock partnered with the Niagara Parks Commission to hold the Dufferin Islands BioBlitz which was a huge success. Not only are events like a BioBlitz fun and beneficial to research, but they also involve the community and are a great way to increase interest in issues such as invasive species. iNaturalist is a great resource to find and organize a BioBlitz, as well as Sustainability at Brock who organized the Dufferin Islands BioBlitz.  

  There are many opportunities throughout the Niagara Region for volunteering in sustainability or stewardship. What is most important is finding which opportunity is the right fit for you and your goals. When searching for volunteer positions it is useful to check recruitment sites often, so you don’t miss out on any opportunities. After completing your volunteer hours, don’t forget to upload proof of completion to your Living Planet Leader profile to fulfill the volunteerism requirement!  

  *This blog post was written as part of an assignment for ENSU 3P91: Leadership in Environmental Sustainability Internship Course. If you are interested in taking part in this course, please visit: https://brocku.ca/esrc/minor-in-sustainability/  

  Categories: Community, Niagara, Outdoors, Student Contributor, Study Sustainability at Brock, Sustainability, Sustainability at Brock

• Why are Pollinators so Important?

  Tuesday, July 04, 2023 | By tthayalalingam

  

  By: Thurkkha Thayalalingam

  Pollination is the process of transferring pollen between the male and female parts of the plant to allow for fertilization and reproduction. Virtually all flowering plants require pollination, and some of the most common pollinators include bees, birds, bats, flies, butterflies, moths, beetles, wasps, and small mammals. Pollinators as well as the plants that they pollinate have many functions and ecosystem services.  

  Air Quality 

  Flowering plants play an essential role in producing clean air. Through the process of photosynthesis, these plants intake carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and provide us with breathable oxygen. With the current rates of deforestation and fossil fuel burning, the carbon stored in these plants is being released into the atmosphere and further exacerbating the effects of global warming. We need pollinators to support the restoration and growth of plant populations.  

  Soil Erosion 

  Flowering plants help prevent soil erosion through their root networks that help keep the soil in place (U.S. Department of Agriculture). The foliage of larger flowering plants also acts as a buffer during heavy rainfall events to reduce the impact of rain on the soil.   

  Cultural Significance 

  Pollinators such as butterflies and birds have cultural value and significance for many Indigenous communities in Canada.  For example, birds are considered a messenger and a spiritual connection to the Creator for Anishinaabe peoples (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians). 

  Threats to Pollinators 

  Many pollinator populations are declining due to habitat destruction. The habitat loss and destruction is generally attributed to agriculture, mining and human development. Urban surfaces such as concrete, cement and metal make it challenging for pollinators to forage, nest and survive.  The use of pesticides and insecticides may also cause adverse effects on pollinators. Even if these chemicals don’t kill the pollinators, they may have a diminished ability to navigate or forage (U.S. National Park Service). 

  Categories: Outdoors, Student Contributor, Sustainability

• Trails in the Niagara Region

  Tuesday, June 13, 2023 | By tthayalalingam

  

  By: Thurkkha Thayalalingam

  Situated on the Niagara Escarpment, Brock University is one of a handful of Canadian Universities located within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Biosphere reserves support conservation and sustainable development and aim to “provide local solutions to global challenges.” (UNESCO, n.d.) The Niagara Escarpment is home to many beautiful walking trails, some of which are even located steps from the Brock campus! If you’re looking for a fun summer activity to connect with nature, here are some trails that you can check out this summer. Make sure to bring a camera as these trails can have some amazing views and lookout points!

  Bruce Trail

  Nearly 900 kilometres long, the Bruce Trail is the oldest and longest continuous trail in Canada (Bruce Trail Conservancy, n.d.). With many access points throughout the trail, it is great for hikers or bikers of all experience levels! The Niagara section of the Bruce Trail (10.6km) is considered a relatively easy route and the average completion time is just over two hours. More information on this portion of the Bruce Trail can be found here.

  Laura Secord Legacy Trail

  The Laura Secord Legacy Trail spans 32km from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Thorold and can be hiked in full or done in shorter sections. This medium-difficulty trail spans through both forested trails and urban paths and is split into five stages. The two stages closest to the university are from Rodman Hall to Rotary Park, and Rotary Park to Decew House. A comprehensive trail guide is made accessible online by the Friends of Laura Secord here and details on the trail are available here.

  Merritt Trail

  Merritt Trail is a 10km point-to-point trail near downtown St. Catharines that takes about two hours to complete. It is a popular biking or hiking route along the Twelve Mile Creek that is considered an easy route. Click here for additional details on the Merritt Trail.

  Twelve Trail

  The Twelve Trail also runs along the Twelve Mile Creek. Starting near downtown St. Catharines, the trail follows the creek south towards the Decew Falls generating station. You can also make a detour and head to Short Hills Provincial Park which is just a 30-minute walk from the generating station! More information on this trail can be found here.

  St. Catharines Waterfront Trail

  If you’re looking for something more urban, the 10km long Port Weller Waterfront Trail is a great option. This path goes through Port Dalhousie which features a busy harbour, a live theatre, a sandy beach, and a lively patio scene! You can also walk out along the pier where the Port Dalhousie Lighthouse is situated. Information on the waterfront trail including other connecting trails can be found here!

  Participark Trail

  This 2km trail is also along a portion of the Twelve Mile Creek and has several exercise stations throughout the trail. The Participark Trail, Merrit Trail, and the Twelve Trail have a few points of intersection, making it easy to travel between trails based on personal preference! Click here for more information on the Participark Trail.  

  References 

  Bruce Trail Conservancy. (n.d.). Experience the Bruce Trail. Retrieved May 17, 2023, from https://brucetrail.org/explore-the-trail/   

  UNESCO. (n.d.). Biosphere Reserves. Retrieved May 17, 2023, from https://en.unesco.org/biosphere/about  

  Categories: Outdoors, Student Contributor

• How to become a more sustainable traveller

  Wednesday, April 26, 2023 | By acotrufo

  

  Photo courtesy of Chait Goli/Pexels

  By: Sanjida Amin

  According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Sustainable tourism refers to “Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities.” According to a study conducted by the University of Sydney, tourism is responsible for 8% of global carbon emissions, with the United States leading the way, followed by China, Germany, India. It was also found that travellers from Canada, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Denmark exert a much higher carbon footprint when travelling than in their own countries. The United Nations declared 2017 as the “Year of Sustainable Tourism” in an effort to highlight that many popular tourist locations were not operating in the most environmentally sustainable ways. This initiative aimed to inspire tourists to consider their impact on the environment, society, and local economy while travelling.  

  Tourism has a significant impact on ecosystems and the overall health of the planet. While air travel is responsible for about 5% of the world’s carbon emissions, travel is not just about emissions. Travel can also result in excessive water use, deterioration of the environment, improper waste disposal, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and more. However, sustainable travel is becoming an increasingly important area of focus in the tourism industry, and there are multiple ways travel can have less of an impact on the environment. Below are several simple tips to help you travel more sustainably. 

  1. Consider your destination carefully 

  As Jim Sano, Vice President of Travel, Tourism, and Conservation for the World Wildlife Fund once said, “Selecting a destination that achieves a balance of protecting natural and cultural resources, providing for sustainable livelihoods, and creating a high-quality traveler experience is challenging.”  

  When choosing a destination to travel to, there are many factors to consider, such as how far away the location is, how efficient the lodging is, transportation option in the destination, and more. Asking these questions can help you find a destination that takes into consideration sustainability and reduces the impact your trip can have on the environment. 

  2. Pack smart 

  • Bring a reusable water bottle with you to avoid purchasing single-use plastic water bottles. 
  • Reduce your use of single use plastics and pack zero waste items instead, such as reusable bags (e.g., totes and produce bags), reusable straws, reusable cutlery, etc. 
  • Invest in an energy-efficient multipurpose electric plug for all your devices. 

  3. Be conscious of where you stay and try to choose hotels/lodges that follow environmental guidelines. 

  4. Explore locally grown and organic food items. Read our recent blog post to learn more about organic food consumption! 

  5. Be aware of your carbon footprint: Choose to use public transport, walking, or biking over a car whenever possible. By using public transportation, you can easily visit new places and interact with people you might have not otherwise encountered! 

  6. Do your part 

  • Avoid excessive food waste. 
  • Consider your water usage by taking shorter showers and turning of the tap when not in use.  
  • Take a nature-based tour if they are available in the city you are traveling to and explore the local natural areas! 

  Travelling is a wonderful way to experience other cultures and expand our understanding of the world. However, travelling can also be intensive on the environment. Luckily, there are many ways to minimize our environmental impact while travelling, and this blog highlighted a few simple alternatives you can try during your next trip to become a more sustainable traveller. We hope these tips serve as a reminder to be mindful of the places you visit and consider the future impact of your travel choices!

  Categories: Outdoors, Student Contributor

• Students show environmental stewardship at campus clean-up!

  Wednesday, April 19, 2023 | By acotrufo

  

  Students helped volunteer by cleaning garbage from Quarry View area. Left to right: Alexandra Cotrufo, Sanjida Amin, Kassie Burns, and Janet Marley.

  By: Kassie Burns

  Last Tuesday, on April 11, Brock students helped clean up the area behind Quarry View Residence, as part of the first clean-up event on campus this year! Volunteer students demonstrated their commitment to environmental stewardship by collecting garbage and recycling around the area. Picking up waste makes a difference in our community and creates positive impacts for the environment by removing waste from streets, rivers, parks, and other public areas.  

  Once the students reached Quarry View, trash was evidently seen covering the ground. It was clear that some scattered items had been there for a while and had become buried in the dirt. Places most affected were along the fences and in corners where the wind had collected items.  

  Together, students were able to collect 2.5 bags of waste in just one hour! It was a beautiful and successful day, and we would like to thank Facilities Management for providing all the necessary supplies. We would also like to recognize the important work of FM staff in always keeping our campus clean. 

  

  Garbage and recycling collected during the clean-up.

  Janet Marley, a Child and Youth Studies student, commented on her experience participating in her first clean-up event. “It was my first time joining a clean-up walk and it felt productive. I am glad to partake in such a worthy cause. It was a plus that I got some exercise while at it. Thanks!” 

  We were delighted to see familiar faces and create new experiences for the students to engage in sustainable initiatives on campus! It was also wonderful to see other members of the community noticing our effort and giving thanks for our work in keeping the neighbouring trails clean. This event highlighted the positive differences that can be made when working together to take proactive action.  

  While some waste may have been intentionally littered, we also recognize that litter can also be due to unintentional circumstances, such as wind blowing items out of garbage bins. To help prevent garbage from being dispersed into the environment by the wind, it is important to tie bags tightly and ensure lids are properly secured on bins. Here are some of the most common items collected at the clean-up. 

  Common items found:  

  • Coffee cups and lids 
  • Masks 
  • Take out containers and bags 
  • Plastic cutlery  
  • Hygiene products 
  • Notes/paper 
  • Cardboard boxes 
  • Food wrappers 

  Thank you to everyone who participated in our Campus Clean-up, we look forward to hosting more clean-ups soon! If you are interested in participating in more Sustainability at Brock events, we are also hosting an Earth Day Sustainability Challenge and co-hosting a BioBlitz event this month!  

  Interested in hosting your own clean-up? Visit our toolkit created in partnership with Niagara College for more resources and steps! 

  This event helps support SDG 11, SDG 13, and SDG 15. 

  Categories: Community, Events, Outdoors, Student Contributor

• Upcoming BioBlitz: We Need Your Help!

  Monday, April 03, 2023 | By acotrufo

  

  By: Kassie Burns

  BioBlitz events are growing in popularity and seek to bring people together to identify as many species as possible in a specific area (Parker et al., 2018). A BioBlitz serves to be a rapid survey of biological organisms and a community outreach event (Lundmark, 2003). It helps encourage people of all backgrounds and levels of expertise to enjoy a day in nature while making an impact in contributing to important ecological work. Volunteers participating in BioBlitzes do not need to have any science background to be involved, and often these events seek to engage with new audiences of varying ages to encourage learning more about the importance of this type of event. BioBlitz events (and other community science projects) can create powerful experiences that unite people and connect them to nature.  

  Having species inventories is extremely valuable for multiple reasons. For example, an inventory can help determine the range of species present and identify endangered or invasive species in a specific area. It can also help indicate the biodiversity in an area, or lack thereof. We depend on many species to give us sources of food, medicine, construction materials, and income through recreation and tourism (Mace et al., 2012). Based on the current inventory, management plans can be developed to help establish biological sustainability that allows the environment to thrive. A BioBlitz can help form baselines or updates to these inventories while empowering community members to be better informed and protect biodiversity to improve their local natural area.  

  BioBlitz at Dufferin Islands  

  Brock is so excited to be hosting its first ever BioBlitz in partnership with The Niagara Park Commission! The purpose of this BioBlitz, taking place at Dufferin Islands on April 21, is to log and identify the eleven most threatening invasive plant species for inventory management. The work done here will directly benefit the invasive species program with The Niagara Park Commission. We will use the platform iNaturalist to capture invasive species images, record their geographic location, and other characteristics. This will give participants the ability to have an in-depth look at invasive species here and elsewhere in the Niagara region. To register for the BioBlitz, please visit ExperienceBU. There are a limited number of spots available, so be sure to register early! A bus will take all Brock participants from Theal House to Dufferin Islands. 

  Navigating iNaturalist (Shannon Heaney, 2023) 

  To participate in the BioBlitz event, we are asking all participants to have iNaturalist downloaded on their phone or other electronic device to record and map species. Here are some suggestions on how to use the platform and be prepared! 

  • Download the iNaturalist app on your phone or device
  • Create an iNaturalist profile 
  • Review the iNaturalist Observation Video 
  • Search for the Niagara Parks Invasive Species Project 
  • Access the invasive species guide to learn the species we will be looking for

  Top Invasive Plant Species of Concern in Niagara 

  If you are unable to make it to the BioBlitz event, you can still keep an eye out for the most threatening invasive species in your area! Here is a list of species that can be found in the invasive species guide:

  • Common reed (Phragmites australis) 
  • Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) 
  • Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolate)  
  • Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) 
  • Dog-strangling vines (Vincetoxicum)
  • Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) 
  • Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) 
  • Honeysuckles (Lonicera)  
  • Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) 
  • Flowering-rush (Butomus umbellatus) 
  • Tree–of–heaven (Ailanthus altissima) 

   The information here helps support SDG 4, SDG 11, SDG 15, and SDG 17. 

  References 

  Lundmark, C. (2003). BioBlitz: Getting into Backyard Biodiversity. Bioscience, 53(4), 329–329 

  Mace, G. M., Norris, K., & Fitter, A. H. (2012). Biodiversity and ecosystem services: a multilayered relationship. Trends in Ecology & Evolution (Amsterdam), 27(1), 24–31.  

  Parker, S. S., Pauly, G. B., Moore, J., Fraga, N. S., Knapp, J. J., Principe, Z., Brown, B. V., Randall, J. M., Cohen, B. S., & Wake, T. A. (2018). Adapting the bioblitz to meet conservation needs. Conservation Biology, 32(5), 1007–1019.  

  Image reference: Sidekick Images  

  Categories: Events, Outdoors, Student Contributor

• Walking Trails located around Brock University!

  Thursday, June 21, 2018 | By Amanda Smits

  Blog Contributor: Kaitlin James

  

  Did you know that Brock is located in the Niagara Escarpment UNESCO Biosphere Reserve?

  UNESCO Biosphere Reserves are ecosystems worldwide that have been recognized by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) as important, and are communities committed to conservation, education, and sustainable development among other things (Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve, n.d). Brock University falls within the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere reserve which stretches over 725 km, one of the 18 found within Canada (UNESCO, 2015).

  Within the beautiful Niagara escarpment that surrounds Brock, is the Bruce Trail, which is the longest and oldest hiking trail in Canada. There are so many different trails, short and long, that surround main campus. Perfect for a break between classes or lunch!

  I personally walk the trail that connects to the bottom of Lockhart Drive, right by the Brock University Research and Innovation Centre, which brings you right outside of Market! Just a quick 10-minute hike up the hill to class. What a great way to see some wildlife and get some fresh air!

  There are many access points to the Bruce Trail from the top of the escarpment! To find out more about the Bruce Trail, and the many access points found across campus, click the link below!

  https://brucetrail.org

  References:

  Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve. (n.d) UNESCO Biospheres. Retrieved from https://www.gbbr.ca/about-us/unesco-biospheres/

  UNESCO. (2015).  Niagara Escarpment. Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/biosphere-reserves/europe-north-america/canada/niagara-escarpment/

  Categories: Outdoors, Student Contributor, Study Sustainability at Brock, Sustainability at Brock

• In our backyard: ESRC playing a part in Brock’s Community Garden

  Tuesday, June 05, 2018 | By Shanen D'Souza

  Blog Contributor: Shanen D’Souza

  

  Brock’s Community Garden, located opposite Theal House, has received tremendous support and involvement by the Niagara community in recent years. Every year people are encouraged to adopt a plot and grow different plants, whether it is colourful flowers or vegetables for supper. The 12 initial plots were so high in demand that the grounds crew had to make 8 additional plots, and now all 20 plots are assigned.

  The Environmental Sustainability Research Centre (ESRC) has adopted one plot and will be maintaining it over the summer months. I, along with the other summer interns as well as the staff at the Centre, will be growing various plants this summer. Being an international student who grew up in a desert, I never had the opportunity to plant and watch flowers grow and bloom, so this is a very exciting opportunity for me.

  We will be planting cardinal flowers, a native red flower of the Niagara region. The Centre is working to promote sustainability on campus and aims to be an environmentally-friendly community member. Planting a native species promotes the unique flora of Niagara, and the red colour signifies the signature Brock red colour. We will also be planting some red vegetables like tomatoes and red peppers, and hopefully even some cucumbers.

  I am excited to watch these plants grow and bear fruit over the next couple of months. I have heard that deer and bunnies do feast upon fruits of the Brock Garden, but hopefully we will get to enjoy some too!

  

  Categories: Outdoors, Student Contributor, Sustainability at Brock

• Green thumbs needed to grow Brock Community Garden

  Tuesday, May 15, 2018 | By Amanda Smits

  TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2018 | by Jocelyn Titone 

  Alison Innes (MA ’13), Social Media Co-ordinator for the Faculty of Humanities, tends one of Brock’s 12 free community garden plots. Six plots are still available to interested Brock staff, faculty and students.

  In addition to plants, the University is hopeful interest will grow in the Brock Community Garden.

  Brock’s grounds crew is busy tilling the soil, creating new grass aisles and enlarging the 12 garden plots located beside the entrance of the Zone 2 parking lot near Theal House.

  University staff, faculty and students looking to cultivate their green thumb are invited to use one of several free garden plots, assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

  Six plots are available, with six already claimed. The Rosalind Blauer Centre for Child Care will use two plots for experiential learning; Biological Sciences Professor Liette Vasseur’s research team will use three plots to test different cover crops — plants grown for the protection and enrichment of the soil; and Brock employee Alison Innes (MA ’13) plans to tend one plot for her personal vegetable garden.

  Before learning about the community plots last year, Innes, the social media co-ordinator for the Faculty of Humanities, considered herself a ‘gardener without a garden’ and often resorted to container gardening in her apartment complex.

  “It’s just wonderful to have space to grow things,” she said of the University’s communal greenspace. “It’s easy to stop by the plot at the end of the day and pick some fresh veggies to take home for supper.”

  Last year, Innes grew radishes, lettuce, carrots, chard, cucumber, zucchini, onions, beans and garlic. This year, she looks forward to adding potatoes and trying some heirloom varieties of vegetables such as purple beans. She also has an assortment of herbs and pollinator plants.

  Unfortunately, butterflies and bees aren’t the only animals the plants attract.

  “I joke that the deer and bunnies on campus are really well fed,” she said. “They got all my sunflowers and most of my beans last year. It takes a little creativity to discourage them from munching, but that’s the case wherever you garden.”

  Garden plots are expected to be ready for use after Tuesday, May 22. Water will be available near the garden as well as some tools for sharing. Pesticides are not permitted and annual and non-invasive plants are preferred.

  “I can’t wait to get started,” said Innes. “I find working in the garden really calming and meditative. I like to garden in the evening when it’s a bit cooler and will sometimes see wildlife and birds.”

  Innes encourages first-time gardeners to consider getting a plot.

  “Try it. It’s not as difficult as it might seem, although your garden will need regular care like weeding and watering,” she said. “There are lots of easy-to-grow vegetable like potatoes, beans or summer squash, and lots of great online resources on how to layout your garden. Growing plants from seeds keeps costs down, too.”

  Staff, faculty and students interested in claiming a garden plot are asked to contact Grounds Manager John Dick at jdick@brocku.ca

  Story originally published in The Brock News.

  Categories: Community, Outdoors, Sustainability