April 2022 Village Vibe by Fernwood NRG

April 2022

villagevibe News and views from the heart of Fernwood

Growing season begins Join in Fernwood NRG’s upcoming food security programming including mulch, compost, and seedling distribution, workshops, and garden volunteering opportunities

›› JJ Ford

’m writing this article on the first day of spring, and the signs that our little patch of earth is tilting towards the sun are all around us. As the magnolias and oso berry bloom, and the robins hop around looking for worms, here at Fernwood NRG we are starting to plan our garden programming for the year. Like many of you, we’re sowing seeds now with the intention to harvest abundance as the days lengthen and warm. We hope you’ll join in on some of our amazing programming this growing season! We’ve got lots of resources and community days in the works for you. As in previous years, we’re excited to serve as a neighbourhood distribution point for the City’s Get Growing, Victoria! programming. Get Growing, Victoria! began in 2020 as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and has grown into an amazing resource for gardeners across Victoria. Growing your own food can be an engaging and rewarding way to bolster your household food security, although of course it’s just one piece in the larger puzzle of a food secure community and region. First up, we want to help you build healthy soil! On April 21 & 22 we’ll be distributing free leaf mulch and compost from the City of Victoria. The City’s materials are tested annually, and are safe to use on food gardens. Then, on May 26 we’ll be distributing free vegetable and herb seed-

Fernwood NRG is partnering with the City of Victoria again to distribute free vegetable and herb seedlings to community members who need them. Photo: Aly Sibley Photography

lings by the hundreds. The seedlings are intended to support people who’ve been disproportionally impacted by the pandemic, and are facing barriers to access plants and garden materials. More details about these distribution days will be shared via our social media and other outlets as they become available so keep your eyes and ears open! This year we’re also hosting a series of workshops on fruit trees, community orchards, and urban food growing! In partnership with the City of Victoria, we will be hosting workshops once a month to build knowledge and spark inspiration in our neighbourhood. We’re excited for these spring workshops: April 30 – Fruit Tree Care: An introductory workshop on fruit tree care throughout the year. Following a seasonal schedule,

bolts of planning a community orchard. We will take a look at design considerations, tree selection, community mobilizing, permit requirements, and other resources to help you get your dream orchard off the ground. More community trees please! June 18 – Urban Food Tour : We’re stoked to premiere the Urban Food Tour, an inspiring walking tour of some of Victoria’s most innovative urban food production sites, all within walking distance of the Fernwood Community Centre!

Op-Ed

Mark Your Calendar

Trees of Fernwood

Uncomfortable truths in a crisis page 3

FernFest is back; wanna get involved? page 5

Trees are nature’s air conditioners page 7

we will outline the tasks that can be done to enhance the health, beauty, and productivity of fruit trees. We’ll set you up to have a healthy and fruitful tree for years to come! May 28 – Planning A Community Orchard: An exciting look at the nuts and

For more information and to register for these workshops head to victoria.ca/ recreation and click on the Growing in the City Programs. There will be more workshops to come in the summer and fall! And of course, we will be hosting monthly volunteer days in our very own Fernwood Community Orchard and Gardens to keep them healthy and productive. We grow fruit, vegetables, and herbs for our community to harvest, and for our amazing Chefs Patrick and Jake to use in the kitchen. We’ll host our volunteer days in June, July, and August—they’re a great opportunity to come out and meet like-minded people while learning about all our gardens have to offer. To sign up for our garden volunteer mailing list, email jj@fernwoodnrg.ca.

in this issue To get the Vibe digitally, sign up at fernwoodnrg.ca

editorial:

villagevibe

Earth Day and climate justice

Published by Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group Editorial Committee

Chantille Viaud Brett Gaylor

Mila Czemerys Shonna Bell Founding Editor Lisa Helps Contributors

JJ Ford Myriam Parent Paul Taylor Kayla Siefried Mark Dusseault Jan Firstbrook

Chantille Viaud Sarah Murray Michael Hill Mila Czemerys Lauren Gaultier Kathryn Juricic

Art

Aly Sibley Axel Kayla Siefried Michelle Edwards Jan Firstbrook

Myriam Parent Sarah Murray Zoe-Bluë Coates Lauren Gaultier Sabine Rankin

Production Mila Czemerys Contact us

1240 Gladstone Ave, Victoria, BC V8T 1G6 T 250.381.1552 F 250.381.1509 info@fernwoodnrg.ca | villagevibe.ca To advertise, contact ads@fernwoodnrg.ca The views expressed in the Village Vibe do not necessarily reflect the views of Fernwood NRG.

We gratefully acknowledge that Fernwood, our community where we live, work and play resides on the territory of the Lekwungen peoples, the Songhees and

›› Chantille Viaud Last year an atmospheric heat dome demonstrated, in a single day of extreme heat, what the impacts of climate change look like for people living all across B.C., not just in flood or wildfire-affected areas. And the people most affected by it were the people least likely to be able to afford a heat pump or an EV. Families are already in crisis in Fernwood—everyday stressors of the pandemic are being compounded by the rising costs of food and housing. Adding on polluted air from wildfire smoke, and unbearable heat last summer, pushed some people over the edge—it was too much to cope with. We saw this at the centre, with the

families and seniors who needed extra support. And while the news filled with images of people racing to buy air filters and fans, and people pointed out that heat pumps were the best choice for the environment and acted as air conditioners, these are not realistic choices for most people. Once again, the most marginalized groups are the most exposed and vulnerable. We see this globally, with those who are the least responsible for climate change, suffering the greatest consequences. At the local level, it’s people who can’t afford an air purifier and worry about their baby’s breathing, or the people who can’t invest in a heat pump and have no escape from days of unbearable heat who suffer

the most. Now more than ever, climate adaptation also means investing in our social safety net and programs that support the resiliency of the most vulnerable in our communities. It means that any action on climate change is tied to workers’ rights, racial justice, gender equality, and Indigenous sovereignty. That’s why, this Earth Day, I’ll be talking to my kids about how working towards a more equitable and just society is part of our path towards addressing the climate crisis. It isn’t just about polar bears and melting sea ice, or people in faraway places. It’s also about supporting our neighbours, and community organizations who support people, families, and seniors.

buzz:

Native plants for native bees

Esquimalt Nations.

Meet Withbloom

declaration of principles & values ››

We are committed to creating a socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable neighbourhood;

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We are committed to ensuring neighbourhood control or ownership of neighbourhood institutions and assets;

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We are committed to using our resources prudently and to becoming financially self-reliant;

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We are committed to the creation and support of neighbourhood employment;

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We are committed to engaging the dreams, resources, and talents of our neighbours and to fostering new links between them;

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We are committed to taking action in response to neighbourhood issues, ideas, and initiatives;

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We are committed to governing our organization and serving our neighbourhood democratically

Pollinator Gardens

›› Myriam Parent Have you ever looked closely at who pollinates your cucumbers and tomatoes in the summer? Who hangs around the fragrant lavender blooms by the Fernwood Community Centre? Beloved bees, yes, but what kind of bees? A while back, in response to the initial pandemic lockdown, I started my first boulevard garden dedicated to pollinators. With the knowledge available to my common settler understanding of bees, I cast seeds from a «wild flower mix» and happily watch the garden attracts bees; mostly honey bees then, as I came to understand later. As this gardening process took place, I was auspiciously pointed in the direction of a free course offered by Island Pollinator Initiative; with a curriculum developed by wild bee expert, biologist Dr. Lora Morandin, and supported by native plant expert, biologist Kristen Miskelly, Satinflower Nursery co-founder. This course, the Pollinator Steward Certification, changed everything.

Myriam Parent is the owner of Withbloom Pollinator Gardens. Photo courtesy of Myriam Parent.

Like waking up from a dream, I learned that honey bees, of Italian origin, are farmed animals who have very little to do with maintaining our ecosystems’ health, unlike wild bees. I also learned that wild or native bees, for the most part solitary (no hive, no honey, no colony), rely almost exclusively on the native plants they support in order to exist and live strong. These illuminating findings radically altered the way I related to my first garden, and subsequently, to all natural spaces. The

joy I found in supporting local pollinators eventually led me to start a small business dedicated to educate my peers about them, and create as many pollinator habitats as possible in urban settings. With great reverence I now invite you to learn how in turns you can become a native pollinator supporter on Lekwungen Traditional Territory; a formidable adventure! Learn more at withbloom.ca and get in touch at info@withbloom.ca or 778678-2736.

with a maximum of openness, inclusivity and kindness;

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We are committed to developing the skills, capacity, self-worth, and excellence of our neighbours and ourselves;

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We are committed to focusing on the future while preserving our neighbourhood’s heritage and diversity;

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We are committed to creating neighbourhood places that are vibrant, beautiful, healthy, and alive;

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and, most of all, We are committed to having fun!

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villagevibe

April 2022

News and views from the heart of Fernwood

north park news:

North Park & Fernwood need more green space ›› Sarah Murray This month, in celebration of Earth Day, let’s talk about parks! We are fortunate to have so many parks in Victoria but in many neighbourhoods—including Fernwood & North Park—there aren’t nearly enough. A 2020 study of four Canadian cities found that equity deserving neighbourhoods have less access to green space than more affluent neighbourhoods. North Park and Fernwood are equity deserving neighbourhoods. Many North Park and Fernwood residents live in the subsidized housing (31% and 11%), about half of residents spend more than a third of their income on shelter alone (52% and 47%), we have high proportions of renters (79%, and 66%), and 20% and 16% of residents identify as a visible minority (all 2016 census stats). Since 2012, the City of Victoria has

Family Day Celebration at Royal Athletic Park (Feb 21, 2022). Photo: Sarah Murray

recognized that new park space is needed— especially in the downtown/northern neighbourhoods—to meet the goal of having a park within 400 metres of all residents. With many priorities competing for the limited resources, acquiring new land for parks has been understandably difficult. We’ll need to think creatively about increasing park space. For example, making more and better use of existing green spaces,

working with developers to include boulevards, greenspaces, and gathering places into new developments, and encouraging community led place-making projects to enhance public space. We are interested in work being done in the City of Vancouver using “initiative zones” to prioritize projects, programs, and resources so that the provision of parks and recreation can be more equitable.

What would it look like for you and your family if you had more access to green space? Would your physical activity and mental health improve? Would your leisure time look different? To explore the topic of green space and our shared public spaces further, the NPNA is organizing a Jane’s Walk on May 8, 2022. During this event we’ll explore the neighbourhood, stopping at several locations along a pre-set route to celebrate what makes North Park unique, learn about local history, and think about the future of the neighbourhood. Everyone is invited! Watch our newsletter and social media for more info in the coming weeks. To learn more about what’s going on in North Park and to sign up for our newsletter, please visit npna.ca or find us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @wearenorthpark.

op-ed:

Uncomfortable truths in a crisis ›› Paul Taylor It’s been an exhausting few weeks. As we continue navigating a pandemic recovery, coupled with skyrocketing housing and food prices, we are also witnessing a humanitarian crisis unfold before our eyes. The situation in Ukraine has left me grappling with uncomfortable truths. Like the way that protest is treated as either righteous or unrighteous, depending on who is doing the protesting. Right now, the entire world is uniting around the Ukrainian people to support them as they defend their lands—we should be. But the way we celebrate certain, predominantly white, folks who fight back stands in stark opposition to how we treat other groups defending their lands. Like Palestinians. Like Indigenous communities here in Canada. As Canadians, we can, and must,

www.fernwoodnrg.ca

condemn this war and celebrate the resistance of Ukrainians. But it’s crucial that we acknowledge how we treat this same behaviour here at home. I am also left thinking about the concept of “lethal aid.” It’s a term many of us weren’t used to hearing prior to Russia’s war on Ukraine. I think about the messy business of supplying arms to other nations. How Canada positions funding arms to Ukrainians as righteous, and in the same breath, is heavily arming Saudi Arabia while they bomb the people of Yemen, all while making enormous profits. It’s important to ensure we are not simply celebrating this type of “lethal aid” without acknowledging the fact that Canada has, and continues to, run the country as an arms business on occasion. Finally, I am thinking about the humanitarian crisis unfolding. I saw a Tweet from Matthew Behrens that read: “As we support 1 million

Ukrainian refugees, please remember 2.5 million Ethiopian, 5 million Afghan, and 8 million Syrian refugees.” I think about the way that Canada— and many other nations—are welcoming Ukrainian refugees with the open arms we aren’t used to seeing in response to similar humanitarian crises in non-European countries. Of course, I am also thinking about the widespread reports that Black folks and non-native Ukrainians are not being granted access to escape the country. It’s critical that we remember that our job as a nation doesn’t stop when refugees land on our soil. Canada has made similar promises to countries like Syria in the past, and it’s well-documented how many challenges refugees face once they arrive in our country. There are many reasons for that: holes in social safety nets and plans that aren’t properly resourced, systemic racism, and low wages for newcomers are a few that come to mind. While we open our arms to people

fleeing war, we have to remember that it’s incumbent upon the Canadian government to ensure quality of life will be protected for refugees, and for all people in Canada. None of this is shared to undermine the severity of the crisis in Ukraine, or the bravery of Ukrainians in the face of unimaginable circumstances. But as we celebrate the heroism shown by the Ukrainian people, and as we find ways to support them as a country, it’s also important that as Canadians, we continue to challenge some of the narratives that come out of war. Only then can we emerge from this crisis with human lives truly protected. Fernwood NRG Executive Director’s note: It gives me great pleasure to reprint an article from my former mentor and close friend, Paul Taylor. Paul is currently the ED of FoodShare Toronto and is a lifelong anti-poverty activist. Paul and I worked together at Gordon Neighbourhood House in Vancouver, BC.

April 2022

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buzz:

Fernwood... My Great Neighbourhood! ›› Michael Hill It’s almost spring and time to start thinking about improvement projects! While for many of us that means projects around the home, there may be something you can do to make your neighbourhood a little better. The My Great Neighbourhood Grant program opens on April 1 and it could be the perfect fit for funding your ideas. The program was launched in 2016 to encourage projects in the community that add to the quality of neighbourhood life and help build stronger social connections. Since then, over 250 projects have been completed through the program. If you have ideas for improving spaces (e.g. a mural) or strengthening community resiliency (e.g. food hamper program) you could qualify for up to $5,000 in matching funding. If you prefer to organize an activity (e.g. reconciliation event, your first block party) you can apply for up to $1,000. Fernwood has completed many projects

This mural honouring Rock Bay Creek by Iris L. Moore on Stanley and Pembroke was a resident-lead project supported by a My Great Neighbourhood Grant in 2021. Photo: Kayla Siefried

with the support of the grant. The lights over Fernwood Square and Gladstone Avenue have brightened up nights in the village and several murals were installed last summer during the Fernwood Mural Festival. You don’t have to take on a big project to participate in this program. If you want to put up a modest little library on your block, you may only need a few hundred dollars and a weekend workshop with your neighbours!

A good place to look for ideas is the City’s VicMap. It includes a map showing many of the placemaking projects funded through this program—go to vicmap.maps.arcgis. com and search for ‘Placemaking Grant Projects’. You will find photos of projects and where they are located in our neighbourhoods. You can see that there are tried and true ideas, as well as examples of creative projects to stimulate your imagination.

The City has also recently introduced a Placemaking Toolkit which has loads of ideas, inspiration, and guidance for doing projects in neighbourhoods. The guide includes a catalogue of City-approved outdoor furniture, paint, and lighting options that might make your planning a little easier. You can find the Toolkit at engage. victoria.ca/placemaking-toolkit. If you are interested in exploring this opportunity, contact me to discuss it at mhill@victoria.ca. I am happy to work with you to find a way to bring your idea to fruition. We want you to be successful in bringing another community project to your neighbourhood. Residents must match the funding request with volunteer time and in-kind donations. Applications are reviewed monthly and funding is usually provided a few weeks after approval. The application period closes on October 31, but you have a year to complete your project so don’t let the application period pass you by!

garden gleanings:

Spring steps in the garden ›› Kayla Siefried Gardening is becoming even more of an important way to build resiliency in our lives. Just a salad from your garden every couple weeks, and you are a bit more resilient to unpredictable (and often less environmentally sustainable) supply chains that are vulnerable to conflict, climate change, and pandemic. If you don’t have access to yard space, be creative and brainstorm other places you can garden: containers on your balcony, plants on your boulevard, or chat with your neighbour and see if you can garden in their yard. Building community through growing food has got to be the way of the future. To get going in your spring garden, here are steps to take to ready your spring garden: 1) Nourish your soil by adding home made compost, and/or composted manure,

Kayla Siefried turning some compost at the Compost Education Centre. Photo: Zoë-Blue Coates

or sea soil. Other amendments that can be helpful for garden soil where you will be vegetable gardening include agricultural lime, and a balanced organic fertilizer. These amendments will ensure vegetable plants have the nutrients they need and support healthy soil characteristics.

2) Disturb the soil less, by digging less—this will support the maintenance of healthy soil structure, reduce erosion, and allow the soil food web to support healthy plant growth. 3) Don’t plant seeds too early—all seeds prefer warm soil to germinate in, and there

will be fewer munchers that will eat up your early sprouts. So, follow guides like the West Coast Seeds Veggie Planting Chart to ensure you’re not seeding anything too early. There’s lots of time still for summer garden seed sowing, no need to rush. 4) And I’ll tag in another best practice for soil health in here—keep your soil covered in mulch (i.e. leaves or straw) to protect it from the elements, reduce soil erosion and compaction, reduce weed growth, and watering needs, all while adding heaps of beautiful organic matter. Have fun in the garden this spring! Munch on those spring greens, talk to your neighbours and be inspired by other gardeners around you. Come learn from experts at The Compost Education Centre, check out our factsheets at compost.bc.ca and buy some plant starts at our upcoming Plant Sale on May 7, 2022.

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April 2022

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News and views from the heart of Fernwood

mark your calendar:

FernFest is back; wanna get involved?

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT of the MIDDLE CLASSES HANNAH MOSCOVITCH WINNER OF THE 2021 GOVERNOR GENERAL'S AWARD

Adam Bay performing at the Market Stage at FernFest 2019. Photo: Michelle Edwards

››

Mila Czemerys

After as short hiatus, Fernwood NRG is happy to announce that FernFest will return in 2022 to bring the community together to celebrate our vibrant ‘hood! We will be hosting FernFest on Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25, 2022. This will be our 25th FernFest—we planned to celebrate this big milestone in 2020 but we all know what happened there. Let’s come together (in a safe way) and bring dancing, food, art, and music back to the heart of Fernwood. FernFest is, as always, free, family-friendly, and everyone is welcome. We want to hear from you. What are your ideas? What would you like to see at FernFest this year? Send your wacky and wild ideas to mila@fernwoodnrg.ca— we’ll try and make them happen together. We are looking for local artists, artisans, musicians, performers, non-profits, and everyone in between to be a part of FernFest.

Are you a musician? Do you know a great local band you’d like to see at FernFest? Performers can apply online at fernwoodnrg.ca/fernfest/performers. Are you a local artisan, maker, crafter, baker, sewist, potter, chocolate maker, vintage seller? Do you want to be a part of the FernFest Artisan Market? Apply online at fernwoodnrg.ca/fernfest/artisan-market. Are you a non-profit doing great work in Victoria? Would you like to share what you are doing with Fernwood? Apply online to be a part of our Non-profit Hub at fern-

Pay What You Want Tickets

250-385-6815 belfry.bc.ca

STARRING VINCENT GALE & SARA CANNING

SEASON SPONSORS

PUBLIC FUNDERS

woodnrg.ca/fernfest/non-profit-hub.

The deadline to apply as a performer, artisan, and non-profit is April 15, 2022. Want to volunteer? Register at fernwoodnrg.ca/fernfest/volunteer. Would you like to sponsor this wellknow and well-loved community event? Email mila@fernwoodnrg.ca to get a copy of our sponsorship package. See you on June 24 and 25 Fernwood!

ANNUAL SPRING ORGANIC

Plant Sale MAY 7TH, 10AM-2PM SEEDS, SEEDLINGS & MORE FROM:

SAANICH ORGANICS, METCHOSIN FARM, CAMERON KIDD PERENNIALS, CITY'S EDGE FARM, COMPOST EDUCATION CENTRE, CROOKED FIR FARM & NURSERY, FIREWEED FARM, GROWCERIES, LITTLE CRESCENT FARM, AND JOYFUL AGRICULTURE 1216 NORTH PARK ST. | COMPOST.BC.CA | 250-386-9676

www.fernwoodnrg.ca

# 8 T Y B > April 2022

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mark your calendar:

The wunderkind of Canadian theatre ›› Mark Dusseault She’s been called “the wunderkind of Canadian theatre” by CBC Radio and “Canada’s Hottest Young Playwright” by the Globe & Mail and the National Post. Her ability to write about socially relevant and challenging subject matter has earned her the 2021 Governor General’s Award for Drama. Her name is Hannah Moscovitch and she has set the international theatre scene alight with her fiery wit and incisive ability to tackle complex subjects with humour and intelligence. This April we’ll be producing Hannah’s play Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes—her powerful and unpredictable take on the archetypal student-teacher romance in the #MeToo-era.

We’ve produced several of Hannah’s plays including What a Young Wife Ought to Know, The Russian Play, The Children’s Republic, and the international hit musical she co-wrote with Ben Caplan and Christian Barry, Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story. Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes will run from March 29 to April 24 and to be on the safe side we’ll be operating at 75% capacity. If you are hesitant to return in person, we will be live streaming Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes from April 12 – 17. Whichever way you choose to see the show, please remember that the Belfry is offering pay-what-you-want tickets (and live streams) all season long—our way of saying thank you for standing by the Belfry. For tickets and more information please visit belfry.bc.ca.

Hannah Moscovitch. Photo courtesy of the Belfry Theatre.

community eats:

Fernwood General Store is now open The new store on the block

›› Lauren Gaultier Fernwood General Store has now officially opened at 1308 Gladstone Ave in the former space of Aubergine. For those who were fans of Aubergine’s selection of South African and kosher foods, have no fear, your favourite items will continue to be stocked at Fernwood General Store. Purchased through the Fernwood Inn group, a collective group of business partners that own the Fernwood Inn and Fernwood Pizza, this new store is managed by shopkeeper Nathan Gawalko.

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April 2022

Nathan’s hope is to build on what the previous owner accomplished with building on a niche market of specialty items. Since opening on February 25, they have added a slew of specialty coffee brands, non-alcoholic beverages, and Spanish tinned seafoods to name a few items. The goal is to rotate stock through some specialty brands to keep the inventory fresh and new and to allow customers the ability to explore a wide assortment of items and producers. You will also notice some familiar favourite local brands like Fernwood Coffee, Bicycle Pizza, Justo’s Dips, and Old Soul Jam Co.. They will also continue the tradition of carrying local produce and build on those relationships

with local farms and farmers. Nathan, who also calls Fernwood home, is excited to be a part of a community with a vibrant pulse and diverse culture and art scene. He shared, “Fernwood is a diverse neighbourhood with a heart, pulse, soul, and identity.” A perfect location to build business procuring a variety of items that can satisfy the appetites of such a diverse community. Next time you are looking to curate a beautiful charcuterie board or cheese plate, find that perfect non-alcoholic beverage, or try something entirely different, head on down to Fernwood General Store where you will find something for everyone. Follow them at @fernwoodgeneralstore.

Photo: Lauren Gaultier

News and views from the heart of Fernwood

trees of Fernwood:

buzz:

Trees are nature’s air conditioners

What’s going on in your community? Arts, events, development, and membership!

›› Kathryn Juricic

Mature trees on Cook Street providing shade in the summer time. Photo: Jan Firstbrook

›› Jan Firstbrook Our city’s mature trees will play an important role as the climate changes and it becomes hotter and drier. In the City of Victoria’s Community Climate Risk and Vulnerability Summary Report, the highest risk is hotter, drier summers which lead to increased drought and more frequent heat events leading to health impacts on vulnerable populations. The heat wave in June last year was a wakeup call as there were 570 extra deaths than usual in B.C.—mostly elderly and small children. In Fernwood, many people are living in older homes and are at risk for heat-related stress and illness. How do trees keep us cool?

Leafy canopies provide shade that prevents the sun from heating our buildings and man-made surfaces such as roads and sidewalks. Without shade, an urban heat island develops as the concrete and pavement retain heal and radiate it all day and night, creating air temperatures up to 12 degrees C hotter. Surface temperatures in cars and other objects can be 30 degrees C hotter—as we all know when we park in the sun. Trees also absorb trapped heat. Through transpiration, water within the tree is released as water vapour, which cools the air and lowers the surrounding temperature. We need mature trees not only in parks but in our yards and on our streets where we live to provide natural air conditioning.

Most of us do not have air conditioners to keep us cool in our homes and rely on trees to provide shade and cool the air temperature around us. Although planting new trees is worthwhile to capture carbon, it will take decades for these trees to provide the cooling benefits of one large Garry oak, maple, or Douglas fir. How many trees are there in Victoria?

Victoria has approximately 150,000 trees of which 33,000 are public trees located in parks and boulevards. Private trees are protected by the new Tree Protection Bylaw unless the trees are within a building footprint. A private tree that is 30 cm in diameter (a medium pizza) at chest height is not allowed to be cut down without a permit from the City’s Parks department. How many trees have been planted in the past 2 years?

To find out, look up the City of Victoria ‘Trees in the City Challenge’ Tree Tracker to discover that the City has planted 1,237 trees and 96 are in Fernwood. Homeowners can add their newly planted trees to the list. Trees in our neighbourhoods are not only air conditioners but are also critical infrastructure in fighting climate change. It is expected that extreme heat events will increase and therefore, it is even more important to protect our mature trees. Retaining mature trees and planting new trees is one of the most effective and inexpensive ways to help mitigate climate change.

Bustling away behind the scenes, the Fernwood Community Association is flourishing with collaborations, volunteers, events, and conversation. Committees have been established and are making headway on a thriving arts and culture scene, having dialogue about what’s happening in our neighbourhood, and dialing in reform for a robust community association. The Paul Phillips Hall is a beautiful and intimate venue space in the heart of our neighbourhood. The FCA Arts Committee is filled with volunteers with a vision to host a variety of events in the Hall, including music, theatre, interactive and multimedia exhibitions, burlesque, spoken word, and more. We hope that the Paul Phillips Hall will become a cornerstone in the ‘hood for local arts to thrive. Check out our calendar at thefca.ca/events to book the hall or come to an event!

On April 7, the Land Use Committee will be hosting another conversation about what’s happening in our community. Come with questions, or just to learn about the Missing Middle Housing Policy, SD61 Daycare proposed on the Vic High Field next to Fernwood Square. We’ll also welcome developers for early discussion about a new development of 15 family-oriented townhomes. More information and the Zoom link are on the Fernwood Community Association’s Facebook page! Lastly, our Governance Committee is working towards a community association that is inclusive and accessible. We want to restructure the organization so that neighbours always feel welcome and can take responsibility for what’s happening in our community. This summer, we’re hosting an AGM where members can join in person or online to vote on these updates, and on our Board of Directors. To join, you need to be a member for one month prior to the AGM. Please sign up today and become a member at thefca.ca/membership! Join our newsletter at thefca.ca/ newsletter and follow us at @fernwood_ community_association!

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(at Fernwood) *free parking

RISE TO IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH

www.fernwoodnrg.ca

Seniors’ Lunch (55+) Van Island Smash Bros Ultimate Dungeons & Dragons

SATURDAY Kindergym

*Register for family programs by emailing lpalmer@fernwoodnrg.ca Closures April 15 and 18, May 23, June 21, June 24, July 1, and August 1, 2022.

SPECIAL EVENTS Mulch and Compost Distribution - April 21 & 22 Fruit Tree Care Workshop - April 30 Get Growing Seedling Distribution - May 26 Planning A Community Orchard Workshop - May 28 Urban Food Tour - June 18 25th Annual FernFest - June 24 & 25

For more information & to register contact: Fernwood Community Centre 1240 Gladstone Avenue, Victoria, BC V8T 1G6 250.381.1552 x100 | info@fernwoodnrg.ca fernwoodnrg.ca/ fernwood-nrg-programs/recreation

April 2022

villagevibe

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Scene in Fernwood : Spring blooms

Photos: Sabine Rankin