Canada: From community to biodiversity, urban gardens produce more than just produce in Vancouver
Growing spaces benefit local relationships, biodiversity, education and cultural connections, supporters say
By Courtney Dickson, Melody Jacobson
CBC News
Jul 23, 2022
Excerpt:
For David Walker, entering his community garden in East Vancouver is an escape from the worries of day-to-day life.
He’s been gardening at Cottonwood Community Gardens for 10 years.
“I fell in love with the place as soon as I walked in,” he said.
“I can shut out a lot of the cares and strife of the rest of the world, at least for a few hours of the day.”
Walker is one of the many passionate gardeners in Vancouver who utilize community space to relax, grow food and connect with others — some of the myriad benefits of gardening in urban spaces.
Tammara Soma, an assistant professor with the school of resource and environmental management and research director with the food systems labs at Simon Fraser University, says community gardens are important for many reasons.
For example, she said, the gardens increase biodiversity as new plants are added and through pollination; they build community relationships; and they increase food security for those who have access to them and time to tend them.
