Category: Uncategorized

Ash a gardener in Kitsilano, as well as a long time Green Streets volunteer shared the following:

Over the past few years, my partner Henry and I have worked on a number of projects for our community, focussed on gardening and small-scale food production. 

This spring, we’re reaching out to community gardens in town to offer locally-milled true red cedar posts (4” W x 4” H x 8’ L) in case any of your garden planters may need replacement this season.  We have this cedar left over from a recent project, so we’re offering it to community gardens at below market cost.  We also have full access to a wood shop and can also offer to make custom planter boxes, if that would be preferred.  

Images of the cedar below

Please contact Ash at 604-445-3713 for more details

A message from the Bike Upgrades Team , Engineering Services, City of Vancouver:

The City of Vancouver is working to improve cycling connections between the Arbutus Greenway and the Seaside Greenway. As two of Vancouver’s most popular bike routes, located near each other but not connected, this is a significant gap in the City’s active transportation network.

The Pine St and W 1^st Ave Link intends to address that gap.

A series of on-street changes are proposed for Pine St between W 6^th Ave and W 1^st Ave, and on W 1^st Ave from Pine St to Creekside Dr. Our aim is to make a connection that is safe and comfortable for all ages and abilities (AAA) while accommodating access and loading arrangements for nearby businesses and residents. Implementation is anticipated to occur in summer 2022 using interim materials.

More information and details for upcoming information sessions can be found here

After a break due to COVID, the West Side Community Food Market will be up and running again this summer. On Thursday evenings, SPEC and Kitsilano Neighbourhood House co-host the Westside Community Food Market, from 3 pm to 7 pm, at the corner of West 7th Ave and Vine.

Cuba1tours will once again be offering Garden/cultural tours to Cuba.  Now that travel is safely opening and many of the restrictions are being lifted they have begun to register people for both Garden tours.  The first one will be to the Eastern part of Cuba and will begin October 21 and end October 31, 2022.  The second tour will be to the Central/ West, including Havana, from February 25 to March 7, 2023.  Some people have signed for both tours, but plenty of space remains.  All tour details can be found by visiting www.cuba1tours.com.

2022 has been proclaimed as the Year of the Garden. More information can be found on their website.

BCAFM (BC Association of Farmers’ Markets) has a great list of what is in season each month:

SPEC puts together a monthly newsletter. Check out the SPEC website to subscribe and to see newsletter archives. Highlights for this month include:

• Welcome SPEC’s New Executive Director – Jennifer Henry
• Earth Day 50/50 Raffle
• Run for SPEC – Scotiabank Half Marathon
• Workshop – Small Farm Sessions
• Community Events 
• Acknowledgements 
• Monthly Team Meetings

Denman Island Home & Garden Tour
June 11 & 12, 2022
9:30 – 5:00 Info and Earlybird Tickets $20 starting March 15   
Email: denmanisland.hgt@gmail.com for more info

Don’t miss this incredible Tour, long considered one of BC’s top horticultural events. This year features the renowned home and garden of award-winning broadcaster and writer Des Kennedy, as well as eleven other glorious rural properties.

The Globe and Mail has called Denman Island “a 5-by-10 kilometer swath of horticultural gems.” After a four-year hiatus, Denmanites are ready to throw open their garden gates, inviting the public for a rare up-close look at the creativity, skill and passion they pour into their properties.

The gardens are accomplished, imaginative, and full of variety — lush  blooms; tranquil ponds; artisanal stonework; hand-crafted arbours; permaculture practices; and stunning ocean views. The houses offer exquisite craftsmanship, innovative design, inspired use of local materials, and unique island touches.

This weekend event provides an unforgettable experience for lovers of gardens, homes and rural living. Many people return year after year from all over Canada and around the world, and are never disappointed. 

SPEC is offering online workshops to support small- scale urban farming in Metro Vancouver