Edmonton Guerrilla Gardening

Permaculture Course: Jan 15 & 16

2010-01-14T13:07:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, this is really late notice but there is an excellent permaculture course that is going to be offered here in the city. I took my permaculture design certificate with this same instructor (Jesse Lemieux) last August and was blown away by his wealth of knowledge. A student of both Geoff Lawton and Bill Mollison, in my opinion, Jesse is the who's-who of Canadian permaculture. The early-bird cost has passed but I still think that $275 is a pretty good deal, especially considering that Bill Mollison's book is included, $100 value. Here's the write up from idlehands.ca (host of the course):

Permaculture is a holistic, systems approach to designing sustainable
human habitat that meets the needs of humans while enhancing local
ecosystems. It is a positive, enabling approach to designing for our
current and future realities.

This 12-hour course will cover the basics of Permaculture design. A
combination of theory and creative design exercises will introduce you
to:

* ethics and principles of Permaculture
* eco-friendly house placement and design
* renewable energy systems
* organic food production
* waste management
* water harvesting and flow
* drought-proofing
* soil rehabilitation
* ...and much more!

Date: January 15 & 16, 2010
9am-5pm each day
Location: Stanley Milner Library, Edmonton
Cost: Early-bird $250 (received prior to January 1, 2010); $275
thereafter.
Registration deadline: January 14, 2010

Includes Bill Mollison's "Introduction to Permaculture" textbook,
snacks and a vegetarian lunch both days.

Space is limited! Please register early to avoid disappointment.

Instructor: Jesse Lemieux
pacificpermaculture.ca
Jesse holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of
Victoria. His training in Permaculture includes two permaculture
design certificates (PDCs), under the instruction of both Geoff Lawton
and Bill Mollison. Jesse had taught PDCs and Intro courses in Western
Canada, has worked on aid projects in the Middle East, and was
employed at the Permaculture Research Institute in Australia.

Guerrilla Gardening Talk

2010-01-12T13:55:00.000-08:00

I apologize for the short notice but Edmonton Guerrilla Gardeners has been asked to do a talk tomorrow for YEP-Edmonton. I'll be doing a little talk on the progression of Guerrilla Gardening in Edmonton up to the present; discussing some of the things we've done and have learnt over the past few years. I'll also be getting into some of the ideas we have for the 2010 year. The following was taken from an YEP email promoting the event:

Guerrilla Gardening is a rapidly growing social and environmental movement aimed at redefining the ways in which we use our public spaces. Guerilla Gardening touches on issues of beautification, naturalization, biodiversity, and food security. Guerrilla Gardeners typically target parking/vacant lots, unused public space, empty or unloved flower beds, and generally unsightly locations around their community by means of anonymous guerrilla gardening.

Growing up in rural Alberta, Dustin Bajer became interested in pursuing different ways of combining urban and rural life; in particular, the creation of resilient communities more in tune to natural processes that sustain them. As an educator and permaculture designer, Dustin has taken to the act of guerrilla gardening to help achieve some of these goals.

Dustin will be joining YEP-Edmonton to answer all your questions about the Guerilla Gardening movement in Edmonton!

When: Wednesday, January 13, 5:30 p.m.

Where: Remedy Cafe, 8631 109 Street, Edmonton

The Hands Create Window Farming

2010-01-11T06:19:00.001-08:00

I was chatting with some Guerrilla Gardening friends of mine when they began telling be about their window farm. Originating online at WindowFarms.org, window farms are..."

"...vertical, hydroponic, modular, low-energy, high-yield edible window gardens built using low-impact or recycled local materials".

To see more from Dan & Chads check out their great blog, The Hands Create.

Edmonton Guerrilla Gardening on YouTube

2009-12-03T10:54:00.000-08:00

Sunday July 12th @ 9pm

2009-07-10T11:36:00.000-07:00

Mid-Summer Kick Start Meeting July 9th!

2009-07-05T15:54:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

It would appear as though both myself and some Guerrilla activities have all but vanished in the past month. I am, however, done report cards, free from school and have the summer off.

Late in the season it may be, but there are still many things to do. Not the least discussing some changes to the current group structure so that things don't grind to a halt when I'm tending to other commitments. I have 100 native perennial sunflowers sitting on my balcony... with the likely hood of being able to acquire more.

I encourage as many people to come out as possible as I'd like a chance to re-brainstorm the workings, goals, and aspirations of the group.

Dustin

Where: Muddy Waters Cafe (8211 111 Street Nw)

When: Thursday, July 9th from 7pm to 9 pm

R.S.V.P on Facebook

Update & Upcoming Events

2009-06-03T22:01:00.001-07:00

Hello Guerrillas, I have a few more updates for the moment. There is a potential for a lot of new projects in the near future.

1) First off, we're looking for some more people to help do some watering in the 118th Avenue area. We currently have to sites there are are thinking about maybe doing another. It would, however, be great to have a few extra people (especially those living in the area) to help with the occasional water run.

2) There is an old abandoned planter across from the carrot on 118th that i think would make an interesting vegetable garden, beans, tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, pears, etc. I'd like to partner with the community on this one as to help provide some regular watering (lest we find some more guerrillas in the area). Potential soil preparation this Friday.

3) The Edible Food Forest Project is soon set to be underway. I'm currently waiting upon a local permaculturalist who has agreed to take a look at the site and help us plan it out a little. Looking to get going sometime in the next week and a half.

4) Native plantings on Whyte. There are a couple of spots that I have in mind but I thought it would be great to take some of the many native perennial sunflowers (and other natives) on my balcony and find a home for them. Sites in mind: abandoned planters near Millcreek Bridge and along the old Esso station. Planting sometime in the next two weeks.

Dustin 780.432.6181

Update & Upcoming Events

2009-06-03T22:01:00.000-07:00

Hello Guerrillas, I have a few more updates for the moment. There is a potential for a lot of new projects in the near future. 1) First off, we're looking for some more people to help do some watering in the 118th Avenue area. We currently have to sites there are are thinking about maybe doing another. It would, however, be great to have a few extra people (especially those living in the area) to help with the occasional water run. 2) There is an old abandoned planter across from the carrot on 118th that i think would make an interesting vegetable garden, beans, tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, pears, etc. I'd like to partner with the community on this one as to help provide some regular watering (lest we find some more guerrillas in the area). Potential soil preparation this Friday. 3) The Edible Food Forest Project is soon set to be underway. I'm currently waiting upon a local permaculturalist who has agreed to take a look at the site and help us plan it out a little. Looking to get going sometime in the next week and a half. 4) Native plantings on Whyte. There are a couple of spots that I have in mind but I thought it would be great to take some of the many native perennial sunflowers (and other natives) on my balcony and find a home for them. Sites in mind: abandoned planters near Millcreek Bridge and along the old Esso station. Planting sometime in the next two weeks. Dustin 780.432.6181

Edmonton Guerrilla Gardening in SEE Magazine

2009-05-30T17:38:00.000-07:00

It would appear as though we've been getting some good press this spring from some of the local magazines. The newest, by Andrew Paul, shows a softer, more cooperative side of the Guerrilla Gardeners.

To see the whole article click here.

To see past articles about Guerrilla Gardening in Edmonton check out the links under 'Publicity' on the right hand side.

A quick note on the 118th Ave planting. This got off to a rough start with many nights of frost and some snow... it wasn't pretty. Recently, however, we (Dan, Chad, Mac, Tristyn, and I) revisited the site with some of our left over annuals. Many of the damaged plants were replaced and everything was given a good drink of water (Thank you for the extra water Carrot Community Cafe).

Nativescape Alberta 'Brings Back The Prairie' With 1 Meter Of Prairie Promotion

2009-05-19T20:03:00.000-07:00

Promotion Link

I'm not usually into plugging any kind of promotion or company but I had spent a little time at the Strathcona farmers market last Saturday talking with Trace from Bedrock Seeds about bringing back many of the native Alberta plants that we've lost when he started telling me about Nativescape Alberta's 1 Meter of Prairie Promotion. Essentially, a two for one deal on Alberta Native plants whereby if anyone purchasing a square meter worth of native prairie plants (72 plants ~$105) they will receive an additional 72 plants for free. It comes out to about 73 cents per plant.

A Call For Locations!

2009-05-19T19:54:00.000-07:00

Hi Guerrillas,

We're planning a Guerrilla Gardening event to celebrate International Biodiversity Day (this Friday, though the actual planting will not fall on the same day). The Edmonton Naturalization Group and Bedrock Seeds have agreed to provide the group with native Alberta perennials. The only thing we need is a currently unloved, publicly visible location.

If you think you might have a location in mind please, please post it in the Facebook discussion board by following the link below or as a comment at the end of this post.

Facebook Discussion Board

Thanks everyone,

Dustin

In addition, I'm looking for more people interested in taking on more of a leadership role in the group. I'm loving the challenge, and am more then willing but don't want to run the risk of spreading myself thin.

Alberta Avenue Event a Success!!

2009-05-10T20:49:00.000-07:00

A big thank you to all the Guerrilla's (not all shown in picture) who helped make yesterday's event on Alberta Avenue a huge success and to the community for helping us out with ten flats of plants! Dare I say our most successful event yet?.

On Saturday May 9th, 2009, the Edmonton Guerrilla Gardeners ascended upon two locations in the Alberta Avenue area:

First Site:

118th Avenue - 92 Street (South Side of 118th)

- Flower beds (annuals) against a construction site fence planted on either side of a Canada Post mailbox.

Second Site:

118th Avenue - 93 Street (North Side of 118th)

-Flower bed (annuals and native perennials) under a billboard.

To see more picture of the event check out the following links:

Facebook Link 1

Facebook Link 2

In addition, I'd like to welcome our 300th member to the Edmonton Guerrilla Gardeners Facebook Group!

Happy gardening,

Dustin

Event: Greening the Avenue (118) on Saturday

2009-05-05T17:53:00.000-07:00

Calendar & Event Info

Edmonton GG Featured in View Weekly

2009-04-23T22:12:00.000-07:00

So begins the article seen in last week's View Weekly. Overall, I thought it read quite well, though, in the future I'd prefer to not have my name and the words "improvised explosive devices" in the same paragraph. (I'd like to take this moment to reassure the public that we are NOT blowing anything up.)

I much enjoyed the artwork and felt that the article did a decent job at highlighting some of our initiatives and providing a little history on the movement. With the exception of perhaps being overly critical of my own quotes (my doing, not the View's) I feel as though this article provides a great pushing off point for this guerrilla gardening year.

To read the full article click here.

Seed Planting Event:

2009-04-05T14:56:00.000-07:00

Swing on by, chat, pick up some seeds or start some here. A come when you can, stay for a while if you'd like kind of evening evening. Simply drop by Landen and I's apartment anytime between 5:30pm and 10:30pm this Thursday evening

I would love to opportunity to chat to as many people as possible about the up and coming year, plans, dreams, aspirations, and at the same time start some plants too. I have many seeds but you're always welcome to bring some of your own... we could use a few more sunflowers!

(Optional)
-Seed starting tray/empty egg cartons
-Small amount of potting soil.
-Seeds

Follow the link and request an invite if interested. If you do not have Facebook contact me at 780.432.6181 or send an email to theurbangreening@gmail.com for information.

Facebook Event Link

Dustin

Seeds are in! Thank you Bedrock Seeds!

2009-03-17T18:25:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a generous donation by Bedrock Seeds the Edmonton Guerrilla Gardeners are sitting on a nice little pile of native Alberta seeds. With some stratification and a lot of love, these seeds will be beautifying Edmonton's landscape in no time... not to mention increasing biodiversity, providing habitat for insects and animals, and returning a few natives back into the environment.

Here's a list and some information on what we have:

Gaillardia aristata: (Pursh common gaillardia):
Backyard Gardener.com

USDA

Bedrock Seed Description

Dalea purpurea Vent. (purple prairie clover):

USDA

Bedrock Seed Description

Symphyotrichum laeve: (smooth blue aster):
USDA

Bedrock Seed Description

Potentilla gracilis: (slender cinquefoil):
USDA

Bedrock Seed Description

Hedysarum alpinum: (Alpine Sweetvetch)
USDA

Bedrock Seed Description

Oxytropis monticola: ((yellowflower locoweed):
USDA

Plants for a Future

Astragalus canadensis L. : (Canadian milkvetch):
USDA

Bedrock Seed Description

Agastache foeniculum: (Giant Hyssop)

USDA

Plants for a Future

Bedrock Seed Description

If you would like to help propagate some of the seeds above (or anything else) please contact me.

Dustin Bajer

780.432.6181

theurbangreening@gmail.com

The E.G.G 2009 Schedule (Subject to Change)

2009-02-28T12:01:00.000-08:00

Project: Edmonton Green Map

The creation of an online, publicly accessible, open-source map of the Edmonton featuring places of natural interest and the location of publicly available food.

Entrails: Finding funding, familiarizing ourselves with Google Maps, canvasing the city for publicly available food sources, networking with other groups and organizations.

Project: Green Roof ???

There should be a large question mark next to this item. There has been some discussion of creating a green roof on top of a prominent Edmonton Business (with owner consent). A lot of things need to line up before this can become a reality (fingers crossed).

Entails: Finding funding, networking with other groups and organizations, further discussions with the business owner.

Project: Native Plant Garden

The continuation of the reclamation of an abandoned home site in the Mill-Creek Ravine area. The site has been abandoned for some time and currently consists of some rubble and a lot of invasive, non-native species. We started cleaning the site up and planting Edmonton native plants last fall and would love to continue improving and learning from the site.

I also see some potential to play around with some permaculture principals and to include many native edible plants.

Entails: Acquiring more native seed and plant material (Bedrock Seeds, Edmonton Naturalization Group).

Project: Monthly Mass Plantings

The original Guerrilla Gardening act; we've decided to concentrate on three of four larger plantings this year as opposed to many sporadic little ones (though we still encourage it). There has been talk about doing one large planting for each of May, June, and July. We are, however, looking to be starting some seeds now.

Entails: Finding three to four suitable locations (publicly accessible, visible, etc), acquiring seeds and plants.

Project: Edible Plant Garden

The returning of the Edmonton Guerrilla Gardeners to a previous spot and adding more food producing plants. Dare I say edible food forest?

Entails: Learning more about the history of the site, consulting professionals on the creation of edible food forests, acquiring plant material.

Project: Community Garden

Last year, we were able to plant a vegetable garden together as a group. At the end of the summer, the food was collected and donated to the food bank. We would welcome the opportunity to do this again this year.

Entails: Finding a suitable Community Garden within the city (Let's Get Dirty Garden?), starting some vegetables prior to planting.

Project: Edible Plant Propagation

Tying in with the Edmonton Green Map a few of us thought it would be fun to take cuttings from many of Edmonton's Saskatoons (and other food producing plants) then propagate, and replant along the boarder of the river valley.

Entails: Consulting a professional on the propagation of Saskatoons and other edible plants, locate suitable plants for cutting/seed gathering.

Guerrilla Gardening on CJSR's The Dirty Hoe.

2008-10-22T19:09:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, check out this Friday's (Oct 24) addition of CJSR's The Dirty Hoe to support the fundrive and look back upon a year of Guerrilla Gardening.

The Dirty Hoe airs every Monday @ 2pm and Friday @ 12:05pm on CJSR FM88.

Native Plant Garden Sets Roots in MIll Creek

2008-09-24T17:08:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of last Saturdays group breaking at the abandoned Mill Creek site. The soil was a little tough and the weeds a little think but the grounds of a brand new native garden have been broken. Thanks to Cherry Dodd for helping us out with some plants, tools, and advice, and to all those who showed up to lend a hand.

There is talk of taking Saskatoon cuttings this upcoming weekend.

Event: (Sep 20) Mill Creek Native Plant Garden

2008-09-15T19:44:00.000-07:00

Preparing soil, planting native plants, and BBQing!

After checking out the site last weekend we've decided to go ahead with the creation of a Native Plant Garden on an abandoned site in the MIll Creek Ravine.

Plants provided by the Edmonton Naturalization Group. Need only bring a few tools.

There's also much talk about having a fire and roast after the work is completed. I think a potluck scenario probably works best. BYOB.

When: Saturday, September 20, 2008, 1:00pm - 5:30pm
Where: Meet outside the "Rount 99 Diner" (8820-99Sst NW) We can walk to the site from there.

Dustin Bajer
(780) 432.6181
theurbangreening@gmail.com

ACTV Launch Party

2008-09-06T10:48:00.000-07:00

A few posts back I mentioned a new media initiative in Alberta; active citizens television (ACTV) so I thought that I would invite everyone to attend their Official Website Launch Party this upcoming Friday, September 12.

Invite

Friday, September 12, 2008
Reception: 6:00 pm
Screening 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Latitude 52, (1028-106st. 2nd floor. Edmonton)

Seed Scattering/Bombing + Saskatoon Cuttings

2008-08-29T21:10:00.000-07:00

Just a few GG ideas I thought I'd throw out into the universe for this fall. Anyone interested is encouraged to contact me at theurbangreening@gmail.com :

Event: Seed scattering/Bombing:

Scattering seeds throughout empty planters, medians, and back allies. The fall is actually a good time to scatter many seeds as the frost helps break the tough outer coat allowing for easier germination in the spring. Seeds can be cast by hand or molded into seed bombs.

I have many lupin seeds; they're a gorgeous perennial but not native and not the easiest to grow. I'd like to seeing if we could find some suitable seeds to cast out into the city; native wildflowers in particular, but non-invasive non-native seeds would also be welcome.

Date: ~ End of September

Event: Native Fruit Tree Cuttings:

I thought that it might be an interesting project to take many cuttings from some of the native Saskatoons and Pin-Cherrys in the river-valley. Taking cutting requires clipping about 4 or 6 inches off the growing end of a branch. Best done when the plant is dormant, each clipping has the potential to grow into a new fruit producing tree. Each sapling could then be planted along the river valley's edge for the future enjoyment of the cities berry pickers.

Date: ~ After the leaves fall.

The Edmonton Journal follows-up on the Edmonton Guerrilla Gardeners first season.

2008-08-11T13:49:00.000-07:00

Once again, the Edmonton Guerrilla Gardeners have made their way into the pages of the Edmonton Journal. The article is a general follow-up of a previous Journal article printed earlier this year and provides a brief overview of our first season as an organized group as well as some of our success' and failures.

Jennifer Yang, the author of both articles was quick to apologize for a headline (she had not chosen) as she felt that it misrepresented the story (We forgive you Jennifer). Although the headline, "Someone Digs Guerrilla Gardeners: All flowers surreptitiously planted have been stolen away" reads as though perhaps our effort have been wasted we are continuously reminded that the act of planting and the intentions behind what we do is often more important than the outcome. Due to the nature of our group it has always been expected that a certain percentage of our efforts will be uprooted, literally. In all honesty, if the headline is referring to the Jasper Avenue planting discussed in the first Journal article then it is bang-on as our plants did slowly disappeared from the site; likely into the backyards and planters of nearby homes (as long as someone is enjoying them). We have, however, had some great success as well, such as the planting of a crabapple tree (harder to dig up?) and in general the promotion of the group and act of community involvement through GG. The truth is, Edmonton Guerrilla Gardening is a sociological experiment of sorts that we're learning from all the time.

Overall, however, I quite enjoyed the article and thought that it spoke well of our efforts, highlighted some of the struggles many new (especially controversial) groups face in their genesis, and expressed our optimistic outlook of the future.

That's not to say we're completely finished for the season. Many seeds and perennials can still be sown and transplanted in the fall to help kink-start another year of Guerrilla Gardening. A year in which we'll be a little more knowledgeable, prepared, and numerous.

The Edmonton Journal follows-up on a first season of Guerrilla Gardening in Edmonton.

2008-08-11T13:35:00.000-07:00

Once again, the Edmonton Guerrilla Gardeners have made their way into the pages of the Edmonton Journal. The article is a general follow-up of a previous GG article printed earlier this year and provided a brief overview of our first year as an organized group as well as some of our success and failure.

Jennifer Yang, the author of both articles (but not the most recent articles headline) was quick to apologize for what she felt was a "

A Moss Art Project

2008-08-09T21:45:00.000-07:00

A few of us gathered together tonight to work on an art related Guerrilla Gardening Project. The stencil on the left was created from some large refrigerator boxes and will be used to help make the pattern of a giant tree with the city of Edmonton's skyline growing from its crown. The picture symbolizes the often overlooked link between the urban and natural environments.

Moss not Paint: What makes this project unique is that the image will be stenciled with moss. The idea is that over time moss will grow in to create an organic, living picture. A bonus of using moss is that it can always be removed easily without causing any damage.

We'd like to get more of these art based Guerrilla Gardening projects going in the future. Some ideas include hanging plants potted in recycled clothing in public view and having picnics on sod rolled out in front of fed parking meters.

Active Citizens Television (ACTV)

2008-08-08T13:13:00.000-07:00

I just had a very productive meeting with Dan from Active Citizens Television (ACTV) (link effective Sep 12, 08); a up-and-coming independent media source in Alberta. I'd like to try and elaborate on what it is they do but I feel as though their business card says it best:

"ACTV is a non-for-profit, youth-driven, new-media initiative to educate,
motivate, and 'ACTV-ate' Albertans to discover and pursue sustainable living
practices and promote ecological consciousness"

Talking with Dan I could sense many similarities between the two group (ACTV and GG) not only in general goals and motivations but also in regards to the growing pains many new movements experience. As our meeting progressed it became apparent that there is much potential for collaboration. ACTV is interested in promoting our activities by creating and posting short films, articles, and helping us with resources and connections with groups similar in nature in return we help provide useful material and projects for them to cover. It truely is a win win situation.

ACVT is launching their website on September 12, 2008 (myspace available now) at a local venue (soon to be announced) and is interested in GG being a part of it in one form or another.

Here's to what will hopefully be a productive and effective partnership!

July 12, 2008 The Old Strathcona Sapling Giveaway.

2008-07-12T13:10:00.000-07:00

We had a very successful morning passing out saplings at the Farmers Market, Art Walk, and Rachel Notley's pancake breakfast in Old Strathcona. We handed out more than 160 saplings along with planting instructions and group contact information. I was surprised to see how many people were familiar with the concept of Guerrilla Gardening, the group, or both.

We still have a few less than perfect looking trees that would be great for Guerrilla planting. I think I'm going to walk around my neighborhood and stick a few in the ground; they may not all make it, but some should. If anybodies interested in joining me or taking on a few trees for themselves please get in touch.

Dustin
theurbangreening@gmail.com
432.6181

Edmonton Guerrilla Gardening on C2C.

2008-07-10T21:19:00.000-07:00

Here's a link to an article I was recently asked to write for connect2edmonton.com regarding Guerrilla Gardening in Edmonton. C2C is a rapidly growing online community that highlights the interests and passions of many Edmontonians and groups.

Make sure to check out the discussion posted at the bottom of the article.

Volunteers Needed

2008-07-07T08:53:00.000-07:00

In order to help get the Guerrilla Gardening word out there and find proper homes around the city for our saplings we're looking for volunteers to help hand out our trees at this weeks Street Performers Festival and Scona Farmers market. Each tree will be distributed with a short 'how-to' and GG contact information sheet. Anyone interested in helping out, or having a few trees please contact theurbangreening@gmail.com

Canada Day Sightseers Take Note of GG Apple Tree.

2008-07-01T22:54:00.000-07:00

As it turns out our little crabapple tree had a lot of company this past Canada Day. Located in a prime fireworks viewing spot 1000's of people joined the tree in a viewing of this year's display.

"I was wondering where that tree came from!" exclaimed a man who had set up camp next to the tree. Many others appeared to admire the tree while gathering in a circle around it while waiting for the fireworks to start. Perhaps with a little care and time the tree will become a popular gathering spot for such events. Meet you at the tree?

For more picture visit the Facebook group and click on Photos.

Event: Pantyhose Project, Sign Painting, & Sapling Decision Making

2008-06-30T21:49:00.000-07:00

A new GG event has been created; "Panty-Hose Project, Sign Painting, & Sapling Decision Making" for this upcoming Thursday, the third of July. The event it at my apartment so if you haven't been sent an invite but would still like to attend follow the link and request an invite we'd be glad to have you. If you don't have Facebook send an email to theurbangreening@gmail.com. This weeks even will center around some smaller projects we've been discussing; painting signs to be displayed at GG projects and the community garden, trying out a pantyhose flower basket, and picking a date for our saplings.

Also, I'm currently figuring out the ropes of the Activist Agenda; an online news letter that goes out to over 1000 people each Thursday. I'd like to get something in it for this week in response to our sapling trees who are still in dire need of finding homes.

Dustin

The Carrots: Community Arts Coffeehouse

2008-06-28T22:43:00.000-07:00

The Carrot community arts coffeehouse is a community based, completely volunteer run, coffee shop located at 9351-118 ave.

I know, I know, this may not exactly be Guerrilla Gardening related but I couldn't keep myself from mentioning a most fantastic community run cafe I can across recently while scoping out a place to do some open mic. The entire experience was very eclectic; from a yodeling clown to a free roaming five year old girl dancing to the sounds of the open mic, the Carrot Cafe seamed to have an atmosphere like no other. One lady in the audience accompanied each performance with her own brand of wood-block, scrapper, brand of percussion; although not always in time.

Located in an area not usually known for its welcoming demeanor, the Carrot Cafe is a haven of creativity and community. It's easy to see that the volunteers and community members behind the project are working hard together to create a truly positively refuge in the 118 avenue community. A highly recommended experience.

GG does "The Works"

2008-06-25T18:25:00.000-07:00

Hey so a few of us were thinking it would be cool to support and check out some local culture and check
out "The Works" on Friday.

"The Works" is an Edmonton Art and Design Festival featuring artists from around the world, boosting the energy and imagination of Downtown Edmonton at the start of every summer.

The Works is a free event offering over 200 exciting exhibits and special events to the public.

We were thinking we could meet at Winston Churchill Square around 6:30-7:00 and head out to various shows and exhibits around downtown. It's pretty much just an excuse to hangout and support one of the best festivals this city has to offer in the summer.

We can scope future planting sites while we're at it too.

Sorry for the short notice,hopefully you can come!

http://www.theworks.ab.ca/festivalfolder/festival/festival.html

Encouraging words from David Tracey.

2008-06-24T18:38:00.000-07:00

I've recently been in contact with Vancouver Guerrilla Gardening advocate David Tracey. David is the author of "Guerrilla Gardening; A Manualfesto" put out by New Society Publishers (look under 'Cutting Hedge Links for more info). I basically contacted him for any advice he might have regarding the asking permission or not. Here is an excerpt from his reply. (David, I hope you don't mind):

"First and foremost: congratulations. I've heard from a number of people who say they're keen to do guerrilla gardening, but I'm always most encouraged whenever someone actually does it. Sounds like your group is off to a great start. Getting the various support inputs you mentioned can only help.

On your question...I wish I knew what to tell you. I wouldn't presume to know enough from afar to make any kind of intelligent suggestion. Even in a local case, the circumstances are always so particular that there's no one answer that will fit all.

In general terms, though, I wonder sometimes if I wasn't a bit too supportive in the book of the asking permission part. (I just had a talk with a cop here yesterday over a community garden project some folks are trying to get going, with the rights to the land still in negotiation...and she was the one who came up first with 'It's better to ask for forgiveness than permission.') We probably tend to do more of it here in Vancouver than some places because there's been general acceptance of the idea at various political levels. But that doesn't mean we haven't gotten burned by asking first -- I'm still reeling from the one Park Board manager who stopped our solar-powered-wetland-habit-reclamation projection purely out of spite.

Like everything, it all depends. Something like 600 trees by a highway sounds like an idea politicians (and the bureaucrats they're supposed to manage) could well get behind, and even provide funds that could help you expand. On the other hand you could get stuck with some dolt who gets determined to keep the land barren for whatever weird reason.

I think in the end you already have the right approach -- to look at the desired result and then work backwards. If you know already you can pull off the 600 trees, you might well go ahead and do it, with a sizeable crew so it's finished long before anyone can complain. Then you could call attention to it, maybe even use the publicity to attract more people and resources for the next campaign.

One important thing to think about is the after-care. Here on the coast we have a summer drought that makes new trees particularly vulnerable. Without irrigation anything that small is pretty much destined to die in our climate. One advantage to going the official route in your case could be the authorities agreeing to do the watering or set up irrigation or whatever works."

- David Tracey in an email regarding Guerrilla Gardening in Edmonton.

If you'd like to find a link to David's most fantastic book "Guerrilla Gardening; A Manualfesto' you can find a link posted in our 'Cutting Hedge Links" section on the right. David's book is an excellent, must read for any would be GUerrilla Gardener, highly recommended.

Ezines may be great way to promote GG.

2008-06-20T19:02:00.000-07:00

CJSR recently contacted the Edmonton Guerrilla Gardeners wanting to advertise the group in their online ezine. I've also been able to contact those responsible for putting out the Activist Agenda, a weekly ezine dedicated to promoting activist activities around the city of Edmonton. If anyone knows of any other advertising resources that Gg should be taking advantage of please let us know, add a comment.

CJSR ezine (with GG spot)

http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/View.aspx?id=95097&q=77357869&qz=a75b31

Activist Agenda Website

http://www.mymailout.com/MyMailout/View.aspx?id=75030&p=1cd0

Grant MacEwan wants to promote GG.

2008-06-19T15:46:00.000-07:00

We've recently been contacted by an Amy who would like to introduce Guerrilla Gardening to Grant, I thought I would grab some opinions opinion. She writes:

"I work at Grant MacEwan College doing Non-credit environmental programing, which in a nut shell means brining in speakers and showcasing different areas of environmental sustainability to any of the demographics at the college. I am currently planning for the new semester (setp-dec) and would like to showcase guerilla gardening, i would ideally like to showcase it for a week with a booth and information as well as a "make your own seed bomb" station as well as have a sign up sheet for students to do a plant (all though because of legalities it would have to be one where we have permission on the land as this would be a Grant Mac sanctioned activity) but the real purpose is to get students invovled in the new guerilla gardening group... so I was wondering if we could chat and if you would be interested in collaborating with me on this, basically what i need is some information on the legal side of it (i would like to know how you guys did the jasper ave plant) as well as your permission and hopefully enthusiasm to set up a plant date and sight with you that the students could sign up for and then they would be hooked into your network as the showcase at the college would only be for a week and the real intent is to bring some awareness as well as send people to the community already started."

The Guerrilla Gardening Potluck Planting Picnic!

2008-06-18T22:09:00.000-07:00

When: Saturday, June 21, 2008 from 3-6pm

Where: Whitemud park North, where Whitemud Freeway meets Fox Drive.

What: A tree planting social

Join us for a chance to get acquainted with guerrilla gardening, everyone is welcome!

We thought that it might be a great opportunity coax a few additional group member out to an event. The group is growing so we would love to get everyone who's interested in guerrilla gardening together.

The Plan:

There will be a meeting at "Whitemud Park North" located near the corner of the Whitemud Freeway and Fox Drive (turn right instead of left to go to Fort Edmonton Park). Once there we will distribute 600 saplings between everyone.

We'll all disperse and scatter the seedling all over the city at which point we'll return for a social event and picnic.

BYOB (Bring your own blanket), and possibly a garden trowel and water.

Invite your friends!

Recent Edmonton Guerrilla Gardening Activities

2008-06-18T22:00:00.000-07:00

(June 15, 2008) Planted a crabapple tree in a highly visible, naturalized grassland area north of Walterdale Rd.
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(June 8, 2008) Planted two vegetable plots donated by the country of Sherwood Park with the hopes of redistributing the harvest back to the community.
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(May 31, 2008) Very successful brainstorming session, many fantastic ideas and project ideas! A few of them:

Vegetable garden, Native plant garden, Mass plating on 95th - Jasper, The Pantie Hose Project, Moss Art, Harvest Festival.,Green Mapping)
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(May 23, 2008) Planting on the corner of Jasper and 95st with the Edmonton Journal and CBC Radio One in tow.
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(May 18, 2008) Planting in Old Strathcona, railway tracks and abandoned ESSO Station fence.

What is Guerrilla Gardening?

2008-06-18T21:50:00.000-07:00

Guerrilla Gardening is a rapidly growing social and environmental movement that aims to redefine the use of public space by promoting issues of community ownership, food scarcity, the reestablishment of native species and habitat, and directly replenishing the environment in which we live our daily lives.

Guerrilla Gardening is the act of gardening beyond our own back yards; sometimes without permission. It should be noted, however, it is never a guerrilla gardeners intention to do harm.

Guerrilla Gardeners typically target parking/vacant lots, unused public space, empty or unloved flower beds, and generally unsightly locations around their community by means of anonymous guerrilla gardening.