HSBC and Evergreen

February 10, 2011

With the support of generous funders like HSBC Bank Canada, Evergreen engages diverse communities and organizations across Canada in environmental stewardship. HSBC Bank Canada has been a supporter of Evergreen’s stewardship and restoration program for several years with strong employee participation each year.

In both 2009 and 2010, HSBC Bank Canada employees pitched in, getting their hands dirty at a stewardship and restoration event in Vancouver’s Jericho Beach Park. After learning about the problems caused by invasive plant species, the enthusiastic group removed countless invasive plants, and then the replanting began. The volunteers significantly improved the biodiversity of the park by planting over 350 native trees and shrubs suited to Jericho, including red elderberry, vine maple and Indian plum.

In 2010 the HSBC Group complemented this support with an additional donation to Evergreen.

Thank you to HSBC Bank Canada and the HSBC Group for your commitment to strengthening the connection between communities and nature.

A Fruitful Partnership

December 7, 2010

Evergreen and HGTV have had an ongoing partnership since 1998. HGTV has worked with Evergreen to produce TV spots and provide valuable air-time to promote Evergreen's mission to viewers across the country. HGTV and Evergreen are a natural fit, as many of HGTV's experts are committed to making earth-friendly choices in their design and renovation plans. Through funding and on-air support from this 24-hour specialty network, Evergreen is able to spread its message to millions of viewers and together raise national awareness about the importance of developing and preserving green spaces.

This Winter is Big on HGTV.  Experience something new every weeknight beginning at 8:30pm et / 9:30pm pt, with new series and new episodes of your favorite HGTV shows. Visit www.HGTV.ca for full schedule details.

The Globe and Mail: “The call of the wild helps children learn”

November 12, 2010

“At the Coombes school in southern England, the playground looks like an arboretum. Narrow paths snake through the shrubbery past apple, willow and walnut trees. There is a pond, two labyrinths, a garden and plenty of good spots to dig for worms. Lessons often take place outside.

“It is the creation of Sue Humphries, an educator who, over four decades, transformed the once barren yard into a verdant outdoor classroom because of her conviction that sitting in chairs is not the best way for children to learn. There is mounting scientific evidence that she is on to something and it has become part of a growing outdoor movement that could transform the way school yards are designed and built.

“...Cam Collyer said that when he visited two years ago, his North American sensibilities were shocked by all the small nooks and crannies where children could find private spaces. He was also impressed by the poetic way Ms. Humphries was able to describe why it is so important to create a sense of the wild for every child. Mr. Collyer directs the school-ground greening program at Evergreen, a national charity in Canada. He invited Ms. Humphries to speak at All Hands in the Dirt, a forum on the topic being held this weekend in Toronto.”

Read the full article at theglobeandmail.com →

From Coffee to Wildflowers

August 18, 2010

Starbucks has partnered with Evergreen for the past seven years by supporting Evergreen's Earth Day event in Vancouver and volunteering at many Evergreen events. But with a new national partnership, we're greening communities across the nation. Together Evergreen and Starbucks are encouraging people to "pledge to do some green" by volunteering or pledging to live greener (start a compost, or ride your bike to work!). Simply sign up on the Starbucks Facebook page and receive a free cup of responsibly-grown coffee. And Starbucks employees are actively involved themselves. So far this summer, 251 Starbucks employees have dedicated over 750 hours on a variety of activities including planting over 900 native wildflowers, saving over 50 trees and shrubs and removing approximately 100 large bags of invasive species!

Paws, Boots, Whiskers, and Trees

August 15, 2010

Our furry, four-legged family members may not be able to sort their recycling or purchase their own eco-friendly products, but they can be a part of a greener community with a little help! Nestlé Purina’s "Paws for the Planet" initiative invites pet owners to pledge to help make our pets' lives greener. From keeping dogs on a leash in environmentally sensitive areas to adopting from an animal shelter, there are many ways we can help our animals live happy, healthy, green lives. Thanks to Nestlé Purina for inspiring pet owners, and sponsoring Evergreen's Stewardship & Restoration program, creating a greener world for everyone to enjoy.

Buy a Hammer, Build our Community Campaign - UPDATE

July 9, 2010

The results are in and The Home Depot's 'Paper Hammer' campaign raised $49,000 for Evergreen.  The three store districts that supported Evergreen were: Ontario North, Saskatchewan & Cranbrook and Toronto North.  The funds will support Rebuilding Nature grant projects in and around the three store districts.

Howard Park Public School takes the lesson outdoors

July 7, 2010

It started out as a scribble on a piece of paper. A garden at Howard Park Public School in Toronto in the shape of a footprint to symbolize the ecological impact of our daily actions.

Enter some dedicated parents, teachers and students and vital grants from organizations like the Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds program and voila! What was etched out on a napkin becomes a permanent learning garden and outdoor classroom.

Evergreen’s National Program Director, Cam Collyer along with Sandy Di Felice, Director at Toyota Canada and Paul Shaw, Dealer Prinicipal at the local Ken Shaw Toyota dealership, recently celebrated Howard Park school’s achievement by paying a visit and helping plant some vegetables and native plants in the new school ground.

We recently caught up with Cam to get his take on the afternoon’s events.
 
EG: What are the secret ingredients to greening a school ground?
 
CC. It’s not one thing, but it is inevitably the product of many caring hands. Here you have this barren asphalt creatively transformed by teachers, students, parents and partners like Toyota Canada and its dealerships through the Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds program, the Backyard Urban Farm Company and many others. That support— combined with sweat, determination, patience, enthusiasm, and expertise—have helped to bring  it all together.
 
EG: What exactly is an outdoor classroom? 
 
CC: I’d like to think that we’re not just transforming a school ground but that we’re transforming the way things are learned and taught. Take a flower for example. It can be used as a teaching instrument in science curriculum, an art class, even in a history lesson. 80 per cent of Canadians live in urban centres, making it even more important in this day and age to connect with nature. Now the school has a hands-on example on how to grow vegetables, conserve water, learn about composting, all that stuff, that the kids enthusiastically engage in. They think it’s fun to learn that the worm has the final say in everything.

EG: And what about the corporation in the classroom? Vending machines are unbranded nowadays.

CC: This is a complex issue. There’s both where the support comes from and how it comes. Corporations are part of the fabric of the community and many are eager to provide support. Corporate employees are eager to pitch in and help. They have kids that go to these schools. So if there are shared goals, the project remains community driven and the recognition is appropriate for the setting, then I think there is adequate room for corporate support of school initiatives. Without them, we’d be worse off. For example, through the Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds program, which has been proudly supported by Toyota Canada and its dealerships throughout the 10 years of our partnership, more than 814,000 students at 1,600 schools across Canada have received support to green their school grounds. In 2009, with Toyota, we disbursed $220,000 to 140 schools. That has a great impact.
 
EG: What’s next?

CC: From a learning perspective, it’s children enjoying and understanding nature. For Evergreen, the demand only continues to grow right across the country. And many school boards are beginning to structure themselves to better support the play and learning value of the their school grounds. We’re building our program to support both individual school efforts and the institutional approach of school boards. At this time of year, it’s benefit enough to be out enjoying the garden and green space.

BACKGROUND

Toyota and Evergreen have been working together 10 years to green school grounds. Within the larger context, to date Toyota Canada and its dealerships have contributed more than $ 7 million in support to help Evergreen provide the tools, expert assistance and funding that students, teachers and communities need to turn barren school properties into inviting play spaces and natural learning environments.  With Toyota’s help, more than 814,000 students have participated in greening projects at over 1600 schools across Canada.

Buy a Hammer, Build our Community Campaign

June 3, 2010

From June 3 to July 4, you can make a $2 donation at the check-out of your nearby The Home Depot retail location to support local projects by Evergreen and The Home Depot Canada Foundation’s other national partners–Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, Habitat for Humanity and Volunteer Canada.

Funds raised by the Buy a Hammer, Build our Community Campaign will be used to support local projects which create vibrant, environmentally responsible communities, and the development of affordable, environmentally sustainable housing for Canadians.

Participating stores include: Sudbury, Barrie, Orillia, Owen Sound, North Bay, Bracebridge, Collingwood, Huntsville, Midland, Parry Sound, Woodbridge, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Aurora, Orangeville, Bradford, Saskatoon, Regina, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Grand Prairie, Lloydminster, Cranbrook.

History on The Home Depot Canada and Evergreen

The Rebuilding Nature Grant Program
Supported by The Home Depot Canada Foundation and led by Evergreen

Evergreen and The Home Depot Canada have been working together for the past 6 years to deliver the Rebuilding Nature Grant Program.

The Rebuilding Nature Grant Program helps community organizations to engage the public in transforming neglected urban spaces from paved surfaces into vibrant naturalized spaces which can be enjoyed by local residents as well as local wildlife. These projects help to build skills, improve environmental health and create a sense of connection between people and their natural environment.

Through the Rebuilding Nature Grant Program, The Home Depot Canada Foundation provides grants and gift cards to support community projects that promote environmentally sustainable and responsible building practices.

Where possible, the Foundation also provides grant recipients with additional support through its Team Depot program.

This program has helped to bring nature to communities, large and small, across Canada, and encourages local volunteers to take part in these transformative projects.

Quick Facts:

• The Rebuilding Nature Grant Program was launched by Evergreen and The Home Depot Canada in 2004
• The Rebuilding Nature Grant program provides grants of up to $12,000 plus a Home Depot gift card, for community-driven greening projects such as:
  • Habitat restoration
  • Community food gardens
  • Waterfront and woodland regeneration
  • Nature preserves
• 104 community-based environmental projects have been supported through the program
• $525,000 has been awarded in Rebuilding Nature Grants and Home Depot gift cards, to community groups across the country
• Team Depot volunteers provide hands-on expertise and support
• 1,700 community volunteers have been involved in a Rebuilding Nature Grant project to date (including  hundreds of Team Depot volunteers across the country)
• Over 7,500 native trees and shrubs have been planted and 120,000 square metres of habitat restored

Back to Nature Fuels Common Grounds

May 3, 2010

(Volunteers from Kraft enjoy a break from tree planting. Photo: Evergreen)
 

Every year Evergreen’s Common Grounds program engages thousands of volunteers in planting and stewardship activities throughout Canada. In the Metro Vancouver and Greater Toronto Area, our staff brought out close to 7,000 volunteers in 2009 who contributed to their city parks and green spaces by planting native trees, shrubs and wildflowers, mulching, removing invasive species, conducting site clean ups, and monitoring plant health.

As a major partner of the Common Grounds Stewardship and Restoration program, Back to Nature provided funding that enabled us to create these community planting events across the country. In addition, their 100% natural nuts and trail mixes helped keep our volunteers fuelled through all their hard work!

This hard work results in a healthier environment, as well as groups and individuals who are more connected to their local communities. As appreciation for all their hard work and their commitment to the environment, Evergreen strives to keep our volunteers informed and engaged, and when they are out at events, we ensure they are well-fuelled for the activities of the day.
 

Evergreen wins Green Toronto Award in the Leadership Category

From planting trees with Barenaked Ladies to green city leaders

April 29, 2010

Toronto is North America’s 5th largest city, with 2.6 million residents and surrounded by an agriculturally rich and enviable greenbelt. On Friday, April 23, 2010, the city presented Evergreen with the Leadership Award at the Green Toronto Awards. 

Executive Director Geoff Cape shares his thoughts:
 
What does it mean to win such a prestigious award, among such top environmental finalists, from the city that wants to become North America’s Greenest City? 

Twenty years ago when we were just starting out, the notion of being leaders was not something on the top of our minds. We were a motley crew with shovels and dirt under our nails. Our first big event was at Ashbridge’s Bay and involved City officials, a few hundred volunteers and the Barenaked Ladies to get our feet moving. We have since planted tens of thousands of trees, and this award is testimony to the strides that have been made in our work across the city with schools and community groups.
 
Why is this award so important?

Solutions to a lot of the problems we have as a city can be found in nature: from food security, to the need to conserve water and our resources, to employment and education. A mind-shift is happening that puts environmental issues front and center in municipal, business and individual decision making. This award reinforces the notion that this shift is taking place. 
 
Why do you think you won?

Two reasons, I think:

1.     Evergreen’s ability to collaborate and support action on the ground across Toronto. Evergreen has had great success in bringing governments, corporations schools and community members together to advance environmental projects and make change in communities across the city. Without our partnerships with organizations such as Toronto District School Board and many others , we would not have grown as much as we have. Evergreen won because our dedicated 10,000-strong volunteer base tirelessly helps hundreds of Toronto schools green their grounds, plant thousands of trees across the GTA. Most recently we have helped 140 youth from priority neighbourhoods turn 18 barren plots into wildflower gardens. Last year, with help from our supporters, we delivered $688,000 in small seed grants in Toronto. We’re also working to transform the industrially derelict and abandoned Don Valley Brick Works into a thriving LEED Platinum community environmental centre. All of these projects are made possible through community partnerships.

2.      Because Canadians are keen to learn and looking for ways to do their part to improve the planet and we offer them that opportunity, whether it is through their helping out with a greening schoolyard or community garden, planting their own native plants in their backyard, or learning about local food options and meeting Farmers at our Farmers’ Markets. 
 
What is Evergreen doing to help Toronto attain its ambition to be the most green?

I encourage all cities to set an ambitious environmental goal, incorporated into their larger strategic plan. There are some really simple things that can be done more efficiently tomorrow that will save money. Through our efforts, we want to mainstream the notion of sustainability through encouraging changes in behavior (from gardening to commuting, to grocery shopping), and work on bringing nature into the city, one person and one green space at a time. That’s the way to getting towards a more “livable city.”

Five Years and 8,000 Trees in Jericho Beach Park

April 28, 2010

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world..." — Margaret Mead

In April 2010, Evergreen’s Earth Day Celebration marked five years of stewardship and restoration in Jericho Beach Park.

Jericho Beach Park is Vancouver’s third largest park, a popular recreation destination and a critical community resource. A legacy of more than 100 years of industrial use and development have left Jericho’s natural habitats fragmented, degraded and under threat.

Since 2005, Evergreen has, through the support of the Jericho Stewardship Group and the Vancouver Parks Board, engaged and educated more than 5,000 volunteers while planting more than 8,000 trees and shrubs and removing 115 cubic metres of invasive plants to ensure a balanced ecosystem.

Evergreen would like to thank all the volunteers for their dedication and hands on help. A special thanks to the employees of SAP, HSBC, Fido, PricewaterhouseCoopers, HOK Architects, International Spa Association and Diageo for their ongoing commitment to transforming, nurturing and protecting Jericho Beach Park.

Evergreeners on the Move

April 27, 2010

As we get ready to make Evergreen Brick Works our home later this summer, we are pleased to announce the promotion of two long-time staff members. 

Seana Irvine has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer of Evergreen from her post as Director of Program Development. Seana has been with Evergreen for more than 13 years, having helped grow the organization along the way. Organized, pragmatic, and values-oriented in her decision-making, she has proven herself to be a systems thinker and will greatly contribute to the growing needs of the organization. In her new role, she will help enable greater management capacity across the organization, and better coordination of our collective efforts. Seana will be responsible for leading and managing the internal affairs of Evergreen.

David Stonehouse has been promoted to the position of General Manager, Evergreen Brick Works.  David has been with Evergreen for more than 8 years, most recently acting as Site Development Director for Evergreen Brick Works. David’s leadership of this important project over the last several years makes him a natural fit for our progression into the next phase of Evergreen’s development. In this new role, he will be primarily responsible for leading and managing all activities at Evergreen Brick Works, including operations and programming; strategy, fundraising and development projects; concept development and planning; government and community relations; staff management for business development, property management and programs.

We congratulate David and Seana on their new roles, and look forward to their continued leadership as Evergreen grows.

Evergreen Hires Well Known Local Food Advocate as Evergreen Brick Works Program Director

April 27, 2010

Evergreen is pleased to announce that Arlene Stein will be joining our team as Program Director for Evergreen Brick Works. She will be taking over the reins from Seana Irvine who recently moved into the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer. Arlene joins us from U of T’s Hart House where she has been the Director of Events and Catering for the past 10 years. Arlene also led large scale food conferences, as well as spearheaded student and community programs.

Arlene is well known in Toronto's local food community and is the Co-Chair of Toronto's Slow Food Convivium. For the last 3 years she has played a lead role in the popular Picnic at the Brick Works and has contributed to Evergreen’s food program strategy. She has also been an active volunteer at our Saturday Farmer’s Market.

Arlene will be responsible for furthering Evergreen’s mission of bringing communities and nature together through the delivery of all site programs, including community events, school programs, youth green employment, exhibits and food activities.

We look forward to benefitting from Arlene’s expertise, energy and enthusiasm as Evergreen Brick Works enters a new phase as being a year round environmental community centre and headquarters to Evergreen’s national programs.

Calling all foodies, outdoor adventurers and eco-citizens!

April 20, 2010

Evergreen is proud to take part in the fourth annual Green Living Show happening April 23–25, 2010 at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, in Toronto. The Green Living Show is Toronto’s largest green consumer show dedicated to educating the public about easy and workable solutions for leading a more sustainable lifestyle. 

Read more...

Evergreen teams up with Canada Blooms

March 15, 2010

More and more gardeners are learning about the benefits of gardening with plants native to their region, and becoming more eco-conscious in their planting techniques.

That's why Evergreen has teamed up with Canada Blooms to host the first ever award for the "greenest exhibit". Aptly named the Evergreen Brick Works SEED Award (Society, Environment, Education, Design) it will go to the exhibitor whose display is the most environmentally inspired. The winner – picked by a jury of gardening experts and horticulturalists well known in the gardening community, landscape architects, pollinator experts and sustainability professionals – will be invited to design and build a plot at the soon to be opened Evergreen Brick Works.

View the Evergreen Brick Works SEED Award criteria

Our Evergreen landscape architects and community gardening experts will also be on hand at Canada Blooms to answer all eco-related gardening questions, giving presentations on the Home Depot stage.

Visit the Evergreen Brick Works booth at Canada Blooms from March 17–21, to hear about our work in transforming an abandoned brick making factory into an environmental community centre, and about our soon to be opened Native Plant Nursery.

Learn more about native plants
Evergreen's Native Plant Database
Purchase Canada Blooms tickets online

Common Grounds Funding Applications Now Available

December 22, 2009

Evergreen Common Grounds is now accepting applications for the Walmart – Evergreen Green Grants program supporting community environmental restoration projects. 

The 2010 deadline for Green Grants applications is January 29, 2010. 

New Evergreen Website

December 22, 2009

Welcome to the new Evergreen Website! With a brand-new look and navigation you’ll be able to find resources, local events and funding opportunities like never before. Let us know what you think: info@evergreen.ca

Learning Grounds Funding Applications

December 22, 2009

Tired of your barren school ground? Add some green!

In 2008 the Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds program distributed over $210,000 to support 136 school ground greening and food gardening projects across Canada. And, while figures are not yet in for 2009, it was another great year.

Update: The funding application deadline for the 2009/10 school year was January 15, 2010. It is now closed.

New Evergreen Blog

December 22, 2009

Evergreen is known for making cities more livable, and there are a lot of great things that happen along our way. We’ve had bag pipers at planting events, a weekly lunch club to stay motivated and we get crafty at workshops. Learn all about it at the brand new Evergreen blog, and find out how you can get involved.