The presence of accessible vibrant green spaces influences the health and quality of life in our communities. Public open spaces are places for recreation, growing food and building connections among neighbours—to enjoy and share nature close to home.

Common Grounds are lands belonging to a community or accessible for public enjoyment (e.g. parks, open spaces). Common Grounds are shared by community members as well as the flora and fauna of our local ecosystems.

Evergreen Common Grounds is a national service to conserve natural and cultural landscapes, restore degraded environments, and protect spaces for open recreation, education and enjoyment. We do this to ensure Canada's urban common grounds grow sustainably and prosper through the 21st century and beyond.

The health of Canada's cities depends on our ability to sustain "breathing space" for our minds and bodies within the reality of on-going urban development.

We can create and protect breathing space in Canada's urban municipalities–while guaranteeing quality of life and economic health. We can turn vacant lots into community gardens, naturalize open spaces, create habitat, and protect interior and perimeter urban greenbelts.

Many municipalities and community groups are exploring how they can protect and restore urban and suburban green spaces.

• Greening Restoration and Stewardship
• Community Development
• Green Space Planning and Professional Services
• Corporate Involvement and Volunteerism
• Partnership

But too often, as Canadian cities grow, greenspaces are compromised and communities become disconnected from nature.

In response Evergreen’s Common Ground program helps Canadians plan, create and sustain successful unban greening projects in their own neighbourhoods. By coming together to plant native trees, tend a shared food garden or green a forgotten alleyway with our support, communities across the country are bringing nature back to our cities.

Greening our cities and towns through volunteer-driven initiatives provides lasting benefits that are shared by all, making them more ecologically, socially and economically sustainable.

Project volunteers:

• opportunity to improve the health of their community through direct action
• builds connections with neighbours through shared accomplishments
• Physical Activity: Gardening is real work. It’s a fun, focused way for participants to get fresh
• air and exercise.

Municipalities or other public landowners:

• Increased community engagement in local spaces and a shared sense of ownership and responsibility over their long-term care and stewardship
• Tap into community knowledge and expertise
• Financial savings and leveraging

Social service agencies:

• provides new “green” program opportunities for youth, New Canadians, seniors, First Nations and other supported populations
• Skill Development: urban greening is a great opportunity for experiential learning. Building self-esteem and teaching new skills

Local communities:

• Transformation of underutilized green spaces into dynamic areas – greater biodiversity, public art, thriving community gardens
• Healthier local environment resulting from improved air quality, reduced stormwater runoff and temperature modification
• Greenspaces that reflect community values and provide a sense of place
• Transformed greenspaces attract more users making them safer places and less vandalism– “eyes on the park”

We help you:

• turn vacant lots into community gardens
• naturalize open spaces
• create wildlife habitat
• build community capacity to plan, implement and sustain successful greening projects

• Learn more about Evergreen Funding and Grants »
• Check out our Resources and Publications »