Orillia Community Gardens
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Orillia Community Garden Network
Check out our interactive map of Orillia’s community gardens and growing initiatives!
LAKEHEAD FARM LAB
Green Orillia has been supporting the development of the Lakehead Farm Lab over the past couple of years.
About: The Farm Lab is a ‘micro’ model agroecological farm and school garden support program for hands on, experiential, place-based education. With a focus on science and other curriculum subjects, we help to grow a more healthy, sustainable and just food system for our community.
To learn more and get involved: https://farmlab.lakeheadu.ca/
Orillia Butterflyway Initiative
The monarch butterfly was recently added to the international endangered list by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Scientists estimate the monarch population has declined by anywhere from 22% to 72% in just the last 10 years. Planting habitat is the most important thing we can do to help monarchs. Monarchs need milkweed for their caterpillars: it’s the only thing they eat. And they need other native plants for nectar.
Mother-daughter duo Gavy Swan-Mansfield and Morgan Mansfield have started the Orillia Butterflyway. As Butterflyway Rangers with the David Suzuki Foundation’s Butterflyway Project, they’ve set out to inspire people in Orillia to plant pollinator gardens, creating a network across the City. Residents can dig their own garden beds or fill their own containers, and the Orillia Butterflyway will provide native plants. The project aims to create 12 new pollinator gardens so Orillia can be designated an official Butterflyway.
To get involved, Orillia residents can email morgansmonarchs@gmail.com.
Orillia Bee City
The City of Orillia is an official Bee City, a designation provided by Bee City Canada. The City has committed to providing sustainable habitats for pollinators.
The City actively supports pollinators through the maintenance of over 70 annual and perennial gardens, 2 community gardens with pollinator species planted throughout, 2 butterfly gardens, and over 140 flowering hanging baskets located in the downtown.
The City is committed to the creation of new gardens in parks, recreation centres, parking lots, and other public spaces with the goal of improving pollinator habitats.
Seeds
Did you know? Orillia & area has five seed libraries!
Orillia Seed Library (in the Orillia Public Library)
Lakehead University Seed Library (inside of Simcoe Hall)
Severn Township Seed Library (in the Severn Township Public Library)
Rooted in Ramara Seed Library (in the Ramara Centre)
Orillia Secondary School Seed Library (in Orillia Secondary School)
Want to start your own seed library? Reach out to us at greenorillia@gmail.com for support and donations of seeds to get started!
We run an annual ‘Seedy Saturday’ event at the Orillia Public Library in the Spring. 2023 marked the 10th annual Seedy Saturday, watch the recap video made by community member Thomas Kaethler!
In this workshop in support of the Orillia Seed Library, local seed farmer Jacob Kearey-Moreland from Bass Lake Farms will explore the wonderful world of seeds – who they are and what they want, where to find them, how to grow them, and why saving them is so important. If you have ever wanted to start or expand your own garden – and to grow from seed to seed – this is the webinar for you!