SOUL's Greener Greenspace program, established in 2021, awards sites from across Canada that exemplify greener greenspace stewardship. The aim of the program is to showcase examples of ecologically-focused land care as a means to inspire others and to further the movement across Canada.
Across the country, there is growing recognition of the importance of urban greenspaces to support healthy, climate resilient and biodiverse ecosystems.
When greenspaces are cared for with the intent to support biodiversity and to enhance soil and plant health, there are enormous benefits to wildlife, humans and the broader ecosystem.
The 2023 Greener Greenspace Program will begin accepting nominations in late spring, so stay tuned for more details.
Who can apply?
The award is open to municipalities - large and small - across Canada, as well as community groups, not-for-profits, schools, campuses, institutions, design firms and others who cultivate publicly accessible greenspaces. The recognition is site-specific, so it's not a whole municipality that would be awarded, but a particular park, public greenspace or portion of a public space, such as a pollinator garden or wildlife corridor.
New sites and previously recognized greenspaces are eligible for recognition each year.
Criteria
To be recognized as a Greener Greenspace, the site must be cared for using land care practices that:
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increase biodiversity and support plant health
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improve soil health and protect air and water quality
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take steps to minimize waste and energy consumption
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actively avoid the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers
Why apply?
SOUL created the Greener Greenspaces recognition program to showcase ecologically stewarded parks and other public greenspaces in urban communities across Canada as a way to inspire others and learn from each other's experiences. All sites that meet the criteria will be officially recognized.
How is the Greenspace recognized?
SOUL will promote all sites that meet the criteria to a wide audience. We'll also share the Greener Greenspaces logo for you to add to your material about the site. Once the award is well established, we expect the Greener Greenspaces logo to be recognizable as a mark of excellence in ecological care supporting urban health, resilience and biodiversity.
Questions?
For more information about the recognition program and how to proceed, contact greenspace@organiclandcare.ca