Gardener Walks - 2022: (scroll down for Continuing Education talks) Although some COVID restrictions about groups in the Garden were lifted recently, we will keep the walks virtual in 2022, with one exception. A group of guides reviewed last year's virtual walk plan and agreed that, while in-person walks are preferable, there are some issues. To name a few:
only a portion of the guides attend
they are difficult to schedule on the first Thursday of the month regardless of the weather or what's in bloom
some gardeners are uncomfortable speaking in front of groups
garden staff have a heavy workload; the walks distract from their duties.
So, here's the line-up for the 2022 guiding season starting in May (gardener assignments):
May: Andrew F., Subforeperson
June: Laura P., Garden Superintendent
July 7, 10 am: Cynthia S., Curator, in-person tour (but you need to sign up first athttps://app.betterimpact.com– link is on the Ericanotebook.com home page)
August: David G., Bentall Garden, etc.
October: James P, ENA, Southern Hemisphere, Mediterranean
A week before the tour, we will request questions about the specific areas then make sure they get answered during the tour. The schedule may be subject to change given gardener availability. Notes will be available to guides within a week distributed via the Garden Story email and posted on the website for future reference. Some guides are concerned that having the walks virtual makes it hard to build a personal relationship with gardeners. However, most of the gardeners are happy to talk with guides who take the initiative to talk with them, and the virtual notes are a good place to start.
Continuing Education - 2022: February 10 - Ashley Lambert-Maberly: 'A Farrago of Facts'
March 10, 2022 - Joshua Yu: Butterflies
March 14, 2022 - Linda Gilkeson, BC Master Gardeners Assoc.: Where Have All the Insects Gone? (When Will We Ever Learn….?) Global insect populations have crashed over the last couple of decades. Learn why this matters for our food supply, for healthy environment and the future of wildlife. Find out what factors may be causing the widespread declines and how gardeners can help to reduce the harm from some of these factors. Check out her websitefor more information.