FCF has begun preparing for our upcoming afforestation projects this planting season! We have started to grow forbs and shrubs that will be used in our Tiny Forest Project and other planting projects at our Base of Operations this spring. Planting native forbs and shrubs are essential in creating a healthy forest ecosystem which in turn provides many ecosystem services including providing habitat for native wildlife and pollinators!

We are happy to share that we began growing our forbs from seeds provided by the Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library. The Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library is a grassroots organization that promotes gardening with native plants to provide food and habitat for bees, butterflies, insects, birds and other wildlife.

Just like a regular library, the Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library provides free seeds and plants that people can “check out” to grow in their own gardens. Once the plants have flowered and gone to seed, people can “return” some seeds to the library to make them available for other people.

Keep in eye out for the Ottawa Wildflower Seed Library as they plan to host a plant exchange in the spring.