Manage stormwater and harvest rainwater
Use a rain barrel to collect water from downspouts for a free source of water for your garden, and to reduce local flood risk.
Benefits:Reduces flood risk, rain barrels provide source of water for gardens and indoor plants, rain gardens provide source of food and habitat for pollinators
Plant a range of native species
Native species are adapted to local climate conditions, making them low maintenance, and great sources of food and habitat for local pollinators and wildlife.
Benefits: Supports local pollinators and wildlife, low maintenance and resilient
Remove invasive plant species
Invasive plant species outcompete native plant species for resources and can quickly spread throughout natural systems.
Benefits: Protects native species from spread
Use natural pesticides and fertilizers
Avoid toxic chemicals in your garden by using natural pesticides such as hot water or vinegar and natural fertilizers such as compost.
Benefits: Protect local pollinators and wildlife against ingesting toxins
Install a bird feeder or bee hotel
Bird feeders and bee hotels provide important sources of food and shelter for important pollinators.
Benefits: Provides food and shelter for important pollinators, adds visual interest to outdoor space
Indoor plant guide
Research has demonstrated numerous benefits from indoor plants on the wellbeing and productivity of employees. Indoor plants have been linked with stress reduction, boosted moods, decreased sickness and absence rates, and in some cases cleaner indoor air quality.They have also been associated with increased productivity, creativity, attention span, and employee recruitment.
Getting started
Here are a few things to keep in mind when considering indoor plants for your office:
Recommended plant list
Here is a list of frequently recommended plants that are relatively low-maintenance and suited to low-light environments:
- Who will help to care for the plants?
- Are there any allergies in the office?
- Where will your plants be located?
- Light conditions
- Temperature/humidity conditions
- ZZ plant
- Snake plant
- Devil’s ivy
- Philodendron
- Spider plant
- Dracaena
- Ferns (Bird’s Nest, Boston)
- Chinese evergreen
- Peace lily
- Cacti
Community gardens and CSA guide
Gardening has been linked with higher levels of subjective well-being, resilience, and optimism, as well as improved physical, psychological and social health. Community supported agriculture (CSA) helps protect land and farmers from negative impacts of the global food market.
What is community supported agriculture?
Typically, a weekly/biweekly box filled with fresh fruits and veggies either delivered to your door or picked up from a central location. The produce is grown locally, directly supporting the farms/farmers. Some CSAs have other add-ons that include local pickles and other products.
What is a community garden?
A shared plot of land where community members can gather and grow fresh fruits and vegetables. They allow fresh, local produce to be much more accessible for those who may not have a garden of their own. They promote a shared economy, healthy lifestyles, and educational opportunities.
CSA and community garden list
Options for Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, and the townships (North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot, Woolwich)
