Saying something matters.
In January 2023, I made a deputation at the City of Vaughan’s budget committee outlining numerous concerns, including the need for more trees to be planted in my neighbourhood. When I was first told by urban forestry staff a few weeks later that a food forest was being considered in Vaughan, I kept asking until we got it.
On September 23, 2023, about 30 citizens and City staff planted 30 fruit trees and bushes. Roughly 25% of them fruited this year, which is expected for such young trees. This is Vaughan’s first edible food forest. Now, a small group of us in the community are building the capacity to incorporate a permaculture approach by including other plants.
This project is inspired by Majora Carter, a New York-based real estate developer and urban revitalization strategist. She played a key role in revitalizing green spaces in the South Bronx. In her memoir “Reclaiming Your Community”, she shares lessons on how to make where you live a better place.
Why does it matter to have a food forest?
➡️It improves local food security. The food supply chain shocks of the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada fuelled my motivation.
➡️It augments social connections, which is important with many seniors in the area.
➡️It increases biodiversity, which is threatened in many places in southern Ontario through weakened protections for farmland and wetlands. (Advancing Regenerative Agriculture in Canada, pp. 78-89)
➡️It is an important exercise in placemaking. Suburban areas need more public places.
In mid-October, we held a mulching and pruning event, where a workshop was run by city staff. Then, the community and city staff jointly placed mulch by the trees. We had a good turnout and are planning future activities, e.g. a fall planting.
A special thanks to the City of Vaughan staff members who have been supportive of our efforts so far. I have been impressed by them. I advocated for this project as a board member on the Glen Shields Ratepayers Association.
I hope this project helps to change minds and hearts about what can happen when complaints are raised in the halls of power. It took time, effort and perseverance to secure. Now, this is a fun project with a promising future.
