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The open volunteer sessions continue at Springbank Farm's Organic Foodbank Garden. Individuals interested in learning and practising valuable gardening skills while helping to build regional food security through providing fresh, nutritious produce to those in need are welcome to show up at 681 Blair Road at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays or 1 p.m. on Sundays. Staff will greet volunteers with tasks, tools, and instructions.
Volunteer sessions last three hours, so be sure to bring water within a refillable water bottle as well as snacks. Volunteers should also wear closed-toe shoes and sun screen as well as a sun hat.
Registration is not required to work at Springbank Farm; just show up. We'll be delighted to see you.
In addition to the work at Springbank Farm, more invasive species pulls are planned on rare lands. On the morning of Thursday, August 4, there will be an Invasive Shrub Pull. Volunteers are asked to register and then gather at rare's Lamb's Inn headquarters at 9:30 a.m. where they will be led by rare staff to help pull Autumn Olive, Buckthorn, Barberry, White Mulberry and Invasive Honeysuckles. These species outcompete native trees and shrubs, reducing biodiversity and degrading the quality of wildlife habitat. The removal of invasive shrubs is one of the more labour-intensive jobs, and requires the use of shovels as well as weed wrenches.
A Phragmites Control will be taking place on the morning of Thursday, August 11. These perennial grasses native to Eurasia have been damaging biodiversity on Ontario wetlands and beaches for decades, out-competing native competition for resources and releasing toxins into the soil. Not only do these grasses reduce habitat and food for wildlife, they lower water levels and increase the risk of wildfire. Volunteers wishing to help with the removal of this species at a number of sites across the property, including the Blair Flats wetland, should register here to attend.
It is recommended that volunteers wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and suitable footware for this work, as well as a hat and work or gardening gloves. Volunteers should also bring a refillable water bottle, sunscreen, insect repellant and snacks.
Again, rare thanks its dedicated individual volunteers who are helping the community and the local environment through their hard work. We'd also like to thank those businesses who have come out for corporate volunteer days. To enquire about corporate team volunteer opportunities, please contact Christine Thompson.
(Photo of Springbank Farm Event in 2019 by L. Klein)
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