Permaculture Course: Jan 15 & 16

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.

Register For Course

Guerrilla Gardening Talk

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

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

Sunday July 12th @ 9pm

Mid-Summer Kick Start Meeting July 9th!

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

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

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

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

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!

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.

Related links:

International Biodiversity Planting

Edmonton Naturalization Group

Bedrock Seeds

Alberta Avenue Event a Success!!

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

Calendar & Event Info

Edmonton GG Featured in View Weekly

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:

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!

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)

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.

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

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

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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