Every week, we bring you the latest news in placemaking, landscape architecture, the nature-mental health link, and much more. Check back every week for new roundups and items.
Urban Trees Could Be a New Source of Food
“Vancouver is looking to its urban forests to provide more food. In a literally green plan, many of the 150,000 trees to be planted between now and the end of the decade will provide a locally grown food source. “Trees absorb carbon, and local food helps to reduce car-bon emissions,” said Vision Vancouver Parks Board Commissioner Niki Sharma. “Our urban forest management plan includes the planting of food-bearing trees.””
Cleaning the Urban Environment With “Sustainable Backyards”
“Chicago has a great new program to help residents join the city in reducing stormwater pollution cleaning the air, cooling “heat islands,†and improving public health. It’s called Sustainable Backyards, and the genius of it is that it’s educational, participatory, and effective at the same time. Basically, the city provides financial assistance in the form of rebates that reimburse citizens for up to 50 percent of the cost of installing trees, native plants, compost bins, and/or rain barrels.”
The Embrace of Nature
“Greater urban density often goes hand in hand with the celebration of nature, and city dwellers generally enjoy easier access to the natural world than their suburban counterparts. One key urban zone to undergo major retooling in recent years is the downtown waterfront.”
Nature Designs Meadows – We Only Need to Copy
“A designed meadow will fail unless you keep very closely to how nature herself designs these highly complex, competitive ecosystems.”
Health and Healing in the Garden
“Ohalloran is one of nine Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) clients – people facing mental health and/or addictions issues and who are homeless or at risk of homelessness – who, along with five clients of Seven Oaks Tertiary Mental Health Facility, have grown vegetables at Blenkinsop Road farm as a part of the Feeding Ourselves and Others project over the summer.”
The De-Stressing Power of a Healing Garden
“Imagine walking down a forest trail or sitting on the beach feeling the salty breeze and the rhythm of the surf. Did it make you smile? There is something magical and comforting about being enfolded in Mother Nature’s arms. Time stands still. Breathing becomes calm. Muscles relax. Cares disappear—even if only for a while. These are tranquil moments we all live for and need in order to bring balance into our busy lives.”
