Growing Little Forests: Learn how we can re-enchant our cities by collaborating with plants, soil, organisms, climate and geology. A Master Gardener and a Forest Steward from Little Forests Kingston will present

Little Forests: Minuscule but Mighty in Napanee

on Monday, March 4 at 1 – 3 pm.

Planting a Little Forest will bring the community together, nurture biodiversity, and restore native species to the land. All of this, while supporting restoration of the soil. Homeowners can find out about Pocket Little Forest Kits for their properties.

Please Register at: lastewardship@gmail.com The event is at St. Patrick’s Church Hall, 179 West St, Napanee (Thomas St. entrance). It is open to the public, free of charge.

Poster

On November 28 in Napanee, the public is invited to The Bay of Quinte: Are You Concerned? An in-person presentation on the current state of the Bay will be hosted by the Lennox & Addington Stewardship Council and the Friends of the Napanee River, the Salmon River, and the Wilton Creek Watershed.

Monitoring the Bay consists of analyzing everything from fish populations and habitats, to underwater insects, to phosphorus levels and its sources. Come and learn about the indicators of overabundant nutrients and phosphorous runoff as well as remediations.

Hear about the research on the Bay and join in a discussion of life on the Bay.

PLEASE REGISTER by email at register@FriendsNapaneeRiver.ca free of charge. The event is on Tuesday, November 28 at 1 pm at the Strathcona Paper Centre (arena), 16 McPherson Drive in Napanee. Refreshments will be served.

Alvar and Karst areas may look a bit barren; “oh, it’s just a lot of old rock…” However, they are both fascinating environments with far more biodiversity than meets the eye. Read our article.

Karst and Alvar Explained

Watch our very informative video at https://youtu.be/MesZ5Qc-R4c

No Till Gardening Poster. pdf

On March 21, 2023 the Stewardship Council hosted the No-Till Vegetable Gardening workshop at Newburgh Community Hall.

See the presentation slides here.  No-Till Gardening Slide Presentation Mar 21, 2023

Science of No-Till Slide Presentation

Justin Schaude and Molly Touzel of Red School Farmstead along with Andrew Michalski of St. Isidore Farm  presented this down-to-earth workshop.

Tilling the soil actually results in soil compaction; it disrupts the complex symbiotic relationship that exists between the surface of the soil and the underlying micro-organisms.

“No till” doesn’t mean “No work.” Regular top dressing of an established bed with mulch and compost in layers will enrich the soil matrix and build in resilience without the need of additional fertilizers. Compost and mulch become the gardener’s new allies.

The many advantages of the “no-till” method include saving water, reducing and possibly eliminating the need to weed, retaining carbon in the soil, reducing soil erosion and building up the earthworm population in your garden. All are great reasons to Cherish your Dirt!

For more information:  redschoolfarmstead@gmail.com    Or   stisidorefarm.net@gmail.com