École Hammond Bay Grade 7 work party

After a 2 year hiatus due to Covid restrictions, we again organized a work party in the park adjacent to École Hammond Bay.  This event started in 2017 and makes a tremendous positive impact on the biodiversity and ecological integrity of the park.  It gives graduating elementary school students an opportunity to give back to an area they enjoyed playing and learning in.

On June 21, 2022 a hard working group of grade 7 students and their families removed invasive plants in Morningside Park.  This year we were also joined by the school principal and other community volunteers.  We reflected on our commitment to understanding how human activities have impacted the stream ecosystem in the same way that settler activities have impacted indigenous communities.  Spending time tending and appreciating this place is an act of reconciliation as much as environmental healing.

We targeted blackberry bushes that are crowding out native plants in the riparian area, and Bur chervil that's growing along the gravel path to the tennis courts.  We also continue to carefully pull ivy and bag it for safe disposal.  We watch the maples grow taller and provide shade for native plants like Salal, Orgeon grape and ferns.  We continue to reflect on how we can educate the children who enjoy this space about how to prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing the animals that live in and around the creek.