This event is open to the public.
Join us on Thursday, June 25th from 2:00–4:00 p.m. to help St. Mary’s Home create a thriving edible forest for young families in our community!
During this hands-on volunteer event, participants will help establish an edible forest by planting fruit and nut trees, berry-producing shrubs, and perennial food plants such as apples, pears, cherries, saskatoons, raspberries, strawberries, and rhubarb. This planting event marks the first step in creating an edible forest that will eventually contain more than 80 tree and plant species, providing fresh, healthy food for the families who are participants of St. Mary’s Home. You’ll learn how to properly plant edible trees while helping transform this space into a productive food forest!
No previous planting experience is required — we’ll provide all the tools and guidance you need. This is a family-friendly event and a great hands-on learning opportunity for individuals, groups, and children.
St. Mary’s Home (780 de l’Eglise St.) is a local Ottawa non-profit agency providing bilingual programs and services with pregnant and parenting youth and their infants and children. It’s Young Parents Outreach Centre is a “one-stop” hub, providing support and outreach services; pre, post-natal, parenting, educational and life skills programs; health care; trauma informed exercise programs; community kitchens, daily nutritional meals and snacks and a weekly food bank. 450 youth and 300 children annually access the Centre and an average of 40 family’s access and depend the weekly food bank. Please go to stmaryshome.com to learn more about St. Mary’s Home.
Generously funded by Just Food, the edible garden will help feed the families St. Mary’s Home serves by strengthening food security, providing fresh produce for its food bank and community programs, and increasing access to healthy food for approximately 40 families each week. It will also create opportunities for families to learn about gardening, food preparation, and caring for edible plants, while increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
St Mary’s Home
780 De l’Église Street
Vanier, Ottawa, ON
K1K 3K7
Free parking is available at St. Mary’s Home in the north facing parking lot.
You’ll be working hard so wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty!
Please dress according to the weather.
- Bring a water bottle and sunscreen. There will be access to drinking water for refills on site.
- Optional: Your favourite gardening gloves. FCF will provide gloves if you don’t have any.
If you have any questions, please contact us at comms@foretcapitaleforest.ca. We look forward to seeing you there!
