Green Hearts in Action

In episode 5 of the podcast, we speak with Rhonda from Toronto Urban Growers, a network of local food producers dedicated to scaling urban agriculture in Toronto. Rhonda shares her journey from social work to urban farming, emphasizing the community-building power of growing food. She discusses the challenges and successes of transforming public spaces, like Flemo Farms in Flemington Park, into thriving community gardens and farms. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration, policy advocacy, and the vision for a more inclusive, sustainable food system. Rhonda also touches on the broader environmental and cultural impact of urban farming, including the integration of Indigenous, Black, and queer farmers into the movement. With a focus on hands-on community engagement, the episode encourages listeners to get involved, support local agriculture, and reimagine how urban spaces can be used to feed both the body and the soul.To find out more about this initiative, please check out:https://torontourbangrowers.org/Green Neighbours Network (GNN) of Toronto fosters connection and collaboration among people and grassroots groups across Toronto and the GTA striving to make our neighbourhoods greener, healthier, and more sustainable. Find out more about us here: https://gnntoronto.ca/ We recognize the urgency for global climate action, and our personal roles in it. We support initiatives that promote a fair and just transition to a low carbon future. Follow us on social media for more Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gnntoronto/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gnntorontoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/GNNToronto/

A Greener Future is an environmental non-profit dedicated to leading the effort in sustaining a clean and healthy environment. By bringing together a community of volunteers and environmental stewards, they facilitate programs that eliminate waste from the environment. As education is at the centre of what they do, they inspire change through a variety of learning opportunities. Their programs raise awareness about plastic pollution in the Great Lakes Region, and detailed data collection sheds a light on the most common items that are found during litter cleanups. To find out more about this initiative including, please check out: https://www.agreenerfuture.ca/Green Neighbours Network (GNN) of Toronto fosters connection and collaboration among people and grassroots groups across Toronto and the GTA striving to make our neighbourhoods greener, healthier, and more sustainable. Find out more about us here: https://gnntoronto.ca/ We recognize the urgency for global climate action, and our personal roles in it. We support initiatives that promote a fair and just transition to a low carbon future. Follow us on social media for more Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gnntoronto/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gnntorontoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/GNNToronto/

Today's podcast guest is Tim Grant, an inspiring fellow neighbour in Toronto working on reducing his community's greenhouse gas emissions. His efforts are enhanced by his ability to drum up enthusiasm and create a snowball effect by utilizing the power of neighbourhood alchemy. This episode was recorded while I met Tim in his neighborhood and walked around his community. He points out houses that have already taken action to get off gas and become more energy-efficient through retrofitting. To find out more about this initiative including webinars and signing up for their mailing list, please check out: https://harbordvillage.com/projects/netzero-carbon-project/Green Neighbours Network (GNN) of Toronto fosters connection and collaboration among people and grassroots groups across Toronto and the GTA striving to make our neighbourhoods greener, healthier, and more sustainable. Find out more about us here: https://gnntoronto.ca/We recognize the urgency for global climate action, and our personal roles in it. We support initiatives that promote a fair and just transition to a low carbon future. Follow us on social media for more Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gnntoronto/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gnntorontoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/GNNToronto/

Since Toronto Green Community (TGC) held its very first meeting in 1995, Helen has brought her knowledge, wisdom, ideas, and infectious enthusiasm to the work of the organization.  She has served as a board member, and as the creator or co-creator behind the first Seedy Saturday in Toronto, the Eglinton Park Community Garden, the Green Garden Visit, and as the creator and driving force behind the Lost Rivers Project.Over the last 30 years, Lost Rivers has researched, mapped, and shared local in-depth knowledge of Toronto’s watersheds, lost rivers, our connections with land and water in the city, and ways we can intervene to improve the urban landscape. Through walks and workshops–led by Helen, other Lost Rivers members, and hundreds more volunteers–the Lost Rivers Project has informed and inspired tens of thousands of participants. Helen has touched many more through her founding role in social enterprises like the Green Garden Visit, Rivers Rising, RAINscapeTO, and other partnerships and collaborations. Helen was also among the creative minds that imagined a network of green neighbours groups in 2016. Her guiding wisdom has helped make GNN what it is today. GNN is so very pleased to make a donation to Lost Rivers Walks in Helen’s honour.