Elementary students plant seeds for a healthier future in Kitchener
Students at Kitchener elementary schools are working on designing perennial gardens, aimed at increasing healthy food access for youth.
One of those designers was 12-year old-Theo.
“We made the idea to plant a big sugar maple and then have a path leading from the sugar maple into a little butterfly conservatory over there and we’re actually lining the path with maple trees,” Theo said.
Smart Waterloo Region Innovation Labs (SWRIL) runs the program with students leading the design teams. The first food forest is being built at Rockway Public School.
“The kids at the school will be able to harvest and use and learn how to prepare fresh,” Amara Johnston said, a youth co-op student with SWIRL.
Since January, the nature youth food forest design teams have been learning about local food systems with a focus on ecosystem regeneration, lead by Nikola Barsoum. She said it’s all about reconnecting to nature.
“We’re trying to mimic natures wisdom and ability to have self-sustaining systems with humans as a part of that and then have these food forests be, not only food producing spaces for us as humans, places to play and enjoy but also habitat and food for our non-human communities as well,” said Barsoum.
Theo had a big part in co-designing the forest and said coming up with a concrete plan is important.
“I would give them advice like design first – designing is very important,” said Theo.
This is just the first forest garden to be constructed. There are two more slated to be done in the coming weeks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
DEVELOPING Israel says Hamas deal is 'far' from meeting its demands as Rafah offensive looms
Israel said the terms of a ceasefire deal Hamas accepted on Monday remained 'far from' meeting its demands and warned its military operations in Rafah would continue, even as it sent negotiators to talk to mediators.
2024 Met Gala: Everything to know about fashion's annual soiree
Fashion's biggest night out — hosted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York each year on the first Monday of May — is both a forever-evolving spectacle and a carefully crafted event.
Concern over speeding in Fredericton neighbourhood grows after 2 teens, young adult killed in crash
Three people – including two teens – are dead, and two others are injured after a crash that has left a greater Fredericton community shaken.