A number of parishes across the Diocese of Niagara have created gardens that provide beauty as well as a number of environmental benefits. Climate Justice Niagara is pleased to recognize the important work that parishes have done to support the Anglican Church’s Fifth Mark of Mission— “to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew life on earth”—through the awarding of framed certificates of appreciation. Certificates are awarded in four categories:
Food Gardens
Food gardens are gardens devoted primarily to growing food crops—herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Local food gardens provide fresh food and cut down greenhouse gas emissions caused by transporting food long distances. A food garden increases local food production and encourages community involvement in food sustainability. Food gardens can also support important outreach ministries by providing fresh produce to food banks or homeless shelters.
Pollinator Gardens
A pollinator garden is a garden that is planted predominately with flowers that provide nectar or pollen for a wide range of pollinating insects such as bees, butterflies, moths, and ants, which are known as pollinators. Pollinators are essential to our food system and pollinator gardens are a way to offer support for these species. For a garden to be considered a pollinator garden, it should provide various nectar-producing flowers, shelter or shelter-providing plants for pollinators, and avoid the use of pesticides.
Water Gardens
A water, or rain garden, is a bowl-shaped perennial garden that captures surface water runoff from hard surfaces (roofs, roads, and driveways), and allows that water to absorb into the ground. Rain gardens provide important environmental benefits by improving water quality. Surface water is filtered as it absorbs into the ground and the nutrients are taken up by native plant species in the garden. Rain gardens also create a habitat for birds, bees, butterflies, and other wildlife, reduce downstream flooding, and beautify your church and neighbourhood.
Children’s Gardens
A children’s garden is a dedicated space designed to spark a child’s sense of wonder and discovery, where they can interact with plants, learn about the environment, and develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world around them. These gardens can include interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and educational programs that encourage children to explore and experiment with different aspects of gardening, ecology, and sustainability (herbspeak.com).
If you would like to arrange for a certificate presentation at your parish, please contract Bruce Mackenzie, CJN Chair at office@ saintgeorge.ca or Deirdre Pike, Program Consultant, Justice & Outreach at [email protected]. We would also love to hear from you. Let us know about any climate justice-related initiatives at your parish—tell us what you have learned, a success story, plan, project, or recommendation. We’d love to hear about what is happening in your parish.
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