Free the Fern, founded in January 2021 and officially registered as a not-for-profit society in August 2022, is a group of environmental stewards living within the neighbourhood of Champlain Heights in South Vancouver, BC, Canada. Free the Fern was formed with the goal of decreasing the spread of invasive weeds and replanting native plants along the Champlain Heights Trail. In addition, Free the Fern has organized public events and created a native plant teaching garden for the public. Free the Fern believes in connecting community through environmental stewardship. From January 2021-September 2022 Free the Fern has: Organized 23 events Raised $16,528 through grants, fundraising, and public donations Recruited 92 volunteers 9 Volunteered 983 hours (which is equivalent to 123 eight hour work days) Removed 112,504 L (40 tons) of invasive weeds Planted 704 native plants
External link for Free the Fern
Douglas Fir Trail
Vancouver, British Columbia V6S 3Y5, CA
Thank you to Elder Marge Wylie and her friend, Corrine Stadel, for leading a Crab Apple Jelly & Blackberry Jam workshop today with us. If you are curious to learn how to make these preserves, check out our blogs for the recipes! https://lnkd.in/ggzsan_6 Funding provided for this workshop from Park People / Ami·es des parcs
For those who attenended Lori Snyder's Healing Salve Making workshop with us this year, check out her upcoming book - now available for pre-order.
Program Head in Forest and Natural Areas Management at BCIT School of Construction and the Environment
My dear friend, teacher, guide and soul sister Lori Snyder is writing a book about plants and their amazing gifts called Revered Roots. Pre orders are available now! I feel truly blessed that she asked me to be the illustrator for this special book. Can’t wait to see it in print! ❤️🌱 https://lnkd.in/gDFjpWbw
Free the Fern reposted this
#makingadifferencemonday Free the Fern Stewardship Society is a small nonprofit based in South East Vancouver, along the Champlain Heights Trail. This trail system runs parallel to Bounday Road, from S E Marine Drive, up to the local Champlain Heights Elementary School. It is part of the oringinal Douglas fir forest ecosystem that was saved when the neighbourhood was developed in the late 70s. In January 2021, Free the Fern was founded when local citizens became concerned with the spread of invasive plants, such as ivy and Himalayan blackbery. Locals decided to get together to help remove these invasive species and replant native plants, which support local birds and pollinators. So far this year, 353 Free the Fern event volunteers have dedicated 749.75 hours to remove 35,140 L of invasive plants. They have also planted 41 trees, 117 wildflowers, and 140 native shrubs. In addition, they also organized 8 free community events (nature walks, eco-art workshops, and more!). Free the Fern's next Invasive Pull will be on Saturday, September 7, 10am-12pm. Everyone is welcome to sign up! https://lnkd.in/gZjW9phV Free the Fern is grateful to receive support from the City of Vancouver, through the GreenStreets Program. In addition, they receive support from Park People / Ami·es des parcs, Neighbourhood Small Grants, Neighbourhood Matching Fund, and the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation. #southvan #stewardship #environment #volunteer #allages #invasivespecies #nativeplants
So, exited for our nonprofit to be featured in Park People / Ami·es des parcs reports. We are grateful to be part of their Cornerstone Parks network.
We're excited to share our new park reports and blog post highlighting the many benefits of park stewardship! We surveyed park stewards in four new parks, including linear parks, river valleys, and trail networks. The findings were clear: regardless of the park's size or design, stewardship is linked to better mental and physical health, social connection, and general well-being. Happy reading! Free the Fern - Meewasin Valley Authority - Corridor écologique Darlington - TD - Parks Canada #parks #stewardship #health #research #TDReadyCommitment
Want to learn more about the amazing work we are doing with Free the Fern? Then check out our Report on Park Stewardship prepared by Park People / Ami·es des parcs. file:///C:/Users/17788/Desktop/FreeTheFern/Documents/Park%20People%20-%20Cornerstone%20Program/Park%20People%20Public%20Reports/FreetheFernReport_2024.pdf #southvan #stewardship #volunteer #nonprofit #environment #invasivespecies #nativeplants #community
Come join us for our monthly Invasive Pull this Saturday, June 1, 10am-12pm. We will be meeting at the beautiful Douglas Fir Teaching Garden on the Red Alder Trail in South Vancouver. Our focus will be on removing invasive plants (Himalayan blackberry and ivy). Bright vests, gloves, tools, and refreshments will be provided. All ages and abilities are welcome! Sign up on our events page: https://lnkd.in/gZjW9phV
Loved learning about how to transform ivy vines into paper last weekend, with artists, Masumi Rodriguez and Elena Kirby. Eleana studied traditional washi papermaking in Japan over 7 months. At our free public workshop they shared how to gather, boil, blend, and process the ivy into beautiful handmade paper. Check out more about the process on our blog: https://lnkd.in/gnxmmRqA
Honoured to have had Metis herbalist and educator, Lori Snyder, partner with us for a Healing Salve Workshop last weekend. “Instead of decolonizing, I prefer reclaiming my ancestory & sovereignty (I am responsible for my knowledge)” Read more about the workshop on our blog: https://lnkd.in/gWFyzT_B
It was a pleasure to partner with artist Marisa Pahl to run a Douglas Fir Watercolour Workshop today. Together we explored the Douglas fir tree through poem, story and art. https://lnkd.in/gMHj3Xj7 Thanks to Park People / Ami·es des parcs for making free workshops like this possible. What a joy to be able to connect to nature in our community. #southvan #art #nature #trees #community #workshop
For those who enjoyed our recent Buds, Branches, & Bark walk in partnership with Julia Alards-Tomalin (or if you didn't get a chance to attend), check out her upcoming walk in Stanley Park on February 24, 2024: https://lnkd.in/gVvTa-8R #vancouver #education #FREE #walk #events #nativeplants
Have you ever wondered how to identify native plants in the winter? Then join award-winning British Columbia Institute of Technology instructor, Julia Alards-Tomalin, on Saturday, February 24, 2-4pm in Stanley Park for a FREE Winter Plant Walk. https://lnkd.in/guNj4CBV Julia will be sharing tips for identifying native plants by looking at their buds, branches, and bark. After a brief presentation at the Nature House, Julia will lead participants on a walk along Lost Lagoon. Spaces are limited, so please register at the link above. This walk is part of our ISCMV Stewardship Series, organized in partnership with Stanley Park Ecology Society Photo credit: Grace Nombrado (Free the Fern) & Kevin Jinn (Carleton Landscaping) #vancouver #nativeplants #walk #educational #FREE #events #stewardship