Earth Matters, a program of Nelson CARES Society and a local non-profit organization, has been leasing two community gardens from the City of Nelson for over 10 years with a commitment to maintain these gardens and provide local programming to the community. The Hendryx Street Forest Garden and the Cottonwood Herbal Demonstration Garden provide valuable and unique spaces for the community to enjoy.
Over the years, funding has become limited, and Earth Matters has relied on seasonal grants to maintain these spaces and have a designated staff person work in the gardens. This summer, no money is available to hire a garden coordinator or buy plants and supplies.
These gardens are instrumental to the community’s access to green space and valuable and free educational activities and volunteer programs.
“It is important to hold on to our urban green spaces. We don’t know what might happen to the spaces if they are no longer leased by Nelson CARES Society and returned back to the City. Our local park spaces are gems in our community; a place where we can enjoy and embrace nature, in amongst the buildings and concrete,” comments Alison Roy, Earth Matters program manager.
The Earth Matters gardens began with a committed group of volunteers who wanted to provide a space in Nelson where others can learn about the environment, and local sustainability and ecology. The program was rooted in volunteerism and local community funding and support.
Nelson CARES Society and the Earth Matters program hope that the community will come together again and save our urban green spaces.
Anyone interested in volunteering with Earth Matters can contact Alison Roy at 250-352-6011, ext 15 or by email at alison@nelsoncares.ca.
Monetary donations can be made online at nelsoncares.ca or dropped off in person to 521 Vernon Street.