On Tuesday, March 11, 2025, we had the pleasure of welcoming mason beekeeper, Amanda Stevenson, fo ran “All About Mason Bee Workshop”. 6 local community members gathered at the Kinross Creek Co-op common room to learn together. Amanda first purchased mason bees in 2018, and… Read More »All About Mason Bees
It was the warmest day so far this syear, with a high of 13 degrees, when 13 volunteers gathered for our Monthly Invasive Pull. We met at the Douglas Fir Teaching Garden and began with a welcome circle, led by volunteer co-lead, Sylvia. Everyone introduced… Read More »Invasive Pull – Sat, March 1, 2025
Today, Free the Fern participated in the Places that Matter Fair. It was held at Heritage Hall on Main St and was organized by Heritage BC. A variety of history groups and nonprofits from across the city were there to share about places that matter… Read More »Places that Matter Fair – Feb 23, 2025
Today, we were honoured to welcome Anna Bondartchouk to lead a Mushroom Felting workshop with us. 18 community members gathered at the Kinross Creel Co-op common room to learn together. Anna shared how sheep wool fibers can be bound together by poking them with a… Read More »Mushroom Felting Workshop – Feb 15, 2025
18 volunteers braved the rain and snow for our Invasive Pull today. 6 of the volunteers were joining us for the very first time. At 10am, we gathered at the beautiful Douglas Fir Teaching Garden. Free the Fern Executive Director, Grace Nombrado, along with co-lead,… Read More »Invasive Pull – Sat, Feb 1, 2025
On a beautifully bright, yet crisply cold January morning, 27 participants gathered in the Douglas Fir Teaching Garden for a winter walk. We were honoured to have award-winning educator, Julia Alards-Tomalin, back again this year to share her knowledge about winter plant ID. Julia Alard-Tomalin… Read More »Buds, Branches, & Bark Walk – Jan 18, 2025
January 15, 2025, marked Free the Fern’s 4th year anniversary. Free the Fern Origin Story: Back on January 15 2021, there was a windstorm. Grace Nombrado, Free the Fern founder, had decided to head out and help rake up the fallen branches and leaves to… Read More »4th Year Anniversary!
14 volunteers (5 joining us for the first time) gathered for our Monthly Invasive Pull on Saturday, January 4, 2025. We gathered at the Douglas Fir Teaching Garden, adjacent to the Red Alder Trail in South East Vancouver. Grace Nombrado, Free the Fern Executive Director,… Read More »Periwinkle Pulling & More – Jan 4, 2025
In 2024, we wanted to give back and support local Indigenous youth, so we decided to launch a Fern Fundraiser in support of the Urban Native Youth Association. We partnered with Coast Salish artist, Andrea Fritz, to design t-shirts and bags. We then had them… Read More »In Support of Indigenous Youth
Dec 15, 2024, was our 4th annual Light up the Night in Champlain Heights festival! The day before our event there was an extreme windstorm, which brought down many branches and several trees along the trail. Luckily, we had the help of several Free the… Read More »Light up the Night in Champlain Heights