Windermere’s gardens have been chosen as a recipient of the Greener Greenspaces Recognition Program, in the Pollinator and Habitat Gardens category, for exemplifying Greener Greenspace stewardship! 

26 gardens from eight provinces were recognized for 2021, with a focus on site-specific greenspaces, such as parks, school grounds, campuses, and community gardens, demonstrating strategies that:

• Increase biodiversity and support plant health
• Improve soil health and protect air and water quality
• Take steps to minimize waste and energy consumption
• Actively avoid the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers

These are all things we are doing with Windermere’s gardens, supporting our congregational commitment to greening and accessibility initiatives. The Evaluation Committee particularly appreciated our plans to continue to expand the gardens to include a variety of habitats, and our community outreach and education efforts.

This program was launched in 2021 by the Society for Organic Urban Land Care (or SOUL). SOUL is the Canadian hub for organic land care accreditation, news and resources. Our garden will be part of a new web portal developed by SOUL. You can find more information at Greener Greenspaces https://organiclandcare.ca/

Our pollinator gardens have been generously funded by a PollinateTO grant through LiveGreen Toronto.

Christine Hughes

WUC Council Secretary & Head Gardener