A food forest in the Shuswap has received national recognition for its effort to create a community-based urban green space.
The Lighthouse Community Food Forest at Salmon Arm’s Salvation Army is a “Greener Greenspace” recipient for 2022 by the Society of Organic Urban Landcare (SOUL).
SOUL’s Greener Greenspace is a recognition program for sites across Canada that “exemplify” green space stewardship.
“From tiny to extensive, volunteer-led to municipally-created and maintained, sites of all shapes and sizes that offer examples of sustainable, regenerative and ecological land care are eligible for recognition,” explains the non-profit organization.
Salmon Arm’ food forest, which was designed by Coldstream-based Lekker Land Design, was started in 2021 to support donations at the food bank and local food security.
Last year was the forest’s first full year in operation and the community and organizers hope it will serve the community for many years to come.
“With increased need at the food bank and threats to local food security due to extreme weather events made worse by climate change, this project is rooted in solutions as it produces organic fruit, vegetables and herbs that are accessible and visible to the community,” says Lekker Land Design owner Keli Westgate.
To be recognized as a Greener Greenspace, sites must be cared for using land care practices that increase biodiversity and support plant health, promote plant health and improve soil health.
The sites must also make an effort to protect air and water quality, minimize waste and actively avoid the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
The project was supported and constructed with the help of several local organizations including the Shuswap Food Action Society, Mountainside Earthworks, Rosebank Farms, local Girl Guides, Shuswap Mantels and local Telus employees.
To read more about how the community came together to construct the food forest, feel free to head here.
