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Welcome to the Burns Lake Community Garden website!
In this section you will find a variety of information about the garden. You will find information about our community and the growing conditions here in Burns Lake, British Columbia, Canada. You will find our society's purpose, and our garden milestones from the revitalization in 2015 to present. You can also find our membership rules and information about our "Friends of the Garden" program in this section (you can find print friendly versions of these documents and more on our BLCGS documents page), along with other information about the Burns Lake Community Garden including an over head map. |
About the Garden
Founded 2002, revitalized 2015
The Burns Lake Community Garden exists to encourage everybody to garden. To provide garden space for those without any and to provide opportunities to socialize with other gardeners for all. We exist to teach and to learn from each other and to create educational opportunities, for everybody in our community, that pertain to gardening. We are a non-profit organization. Our directors are volunteers. Everything that the garden accomplishes is done through grant money and volunteer work hours. In the future we may include fundraising. We are very grateful for our volunteers, the grants we receive and the support of our community. Here we acknowledge our many contributors.
We keep the garden organic and encourage everybody to garden following organic practices, whether those organic practices are tilled soils and rows of labelled veggies, or a permaculture style food forest. Whether you are growing food or flowers or both together we believe organic is best for the environment and the community.
We like to create engaging and fun events for people of all ages to come together and share their gardening knowledge, especially knowledge about gardening in our often difficult climate.
Founded 2002, revitalized 2015
The Burns Lake Community Garden exists to encourage everybody to garden. To provide garden space for those without any and to provide opportunities to socialize with other gardeners for all. We exist to teach and to learn from each other and to create educational opportunities, for everybody in our community, that pertain to gardening. We are a non-profit organization. Our directors are volunteers. Everything that the garden accomplishes is done through grant money and volunteer work hours. In the future we may include fundraising. We are very grateful for our volunteers, the grants we receive and the support of our community. Here we acknowledge our many contributors.
We keep the garden organic and encourage everybody to garden following organic practices, whether those organic practices are tilled soils and rows of labelled veggies, or a permaculture style food forest. Whether you are growing food or flowers or both together we believe organic is best for the environment and the community.
We like to create engaging and fun events for people of all ages to come together and share their gardening knowledge, especially knowledge about gardening in our often difficult climate.
Our garden boasts two large inground beds for the communal growing of crops like potatoes, raspberries, and rhubarb. These beds are also home to some of our member plots as our garden membership sometimes grows faster than the garden. Our garden is home to a number of cold hardy fruit trees, the fruits can be picked by anyone. Currently we have 20 raised allotment pots and we still room for expansion. The garden has a compost demonstration area that includes a large triple bin composter, a rotating barrel composter and an African keyhole garden with a composter in the centre.
You will find picnic tables, chairs, and a great big covered sandbox for children in the garden. We are still putting some finishing touches on our beautiful garden shed. The garden shed includes ample storage and a large covered area in which you will find our information kiosk and communication boards, as well as a chalkboard for children to enjoy.
We’ve incorporated and accessible garden bed for members who have mobility challenges to use.
We are excited to be working on plans to add a large greenhouse to the site for our members to utilize, as well as a courtyard area for members to enjoy socializing.
You’ll find our main parking area at the end of Nault Lane via first Avenue. Lining this area are large cedar planters tended by members. Keep an eye out for signs about what is been growing in these planters. In this main parking area you’ll find our drive through gate and our main walk through gate decorated by a welcome signs created by local artisan. The parking area is the site of our lovey restroom facilities, an out house that truly deserves the name privy. A second walk-through gate can be accessed from the parking lot at the Immaculata church on third Avenue.
We strive to encourage healthy eating and zero waste of the food that is produced in the garden. Connect with us through our Facebook page to hear about food surpluses being shared by our garden members. Anything that doesn't get consumed will be composted in our compost demonstration area and return to the garden as soil.
The garden is always growing and changing just like the crops we plant and the flowers we tend.
You will find picnic tables, chairs, and a great big covered sandbox for children in the garden. We are still putting some finishing touches on our beautiful garden shed. The garden shed includes ample storage and a large covered area in which you will find our information kiosk and communication boards, as well as a chalkboard for children to enjoy.
We’ve incorporated and accessible garden bed for members who have mobility challenges to use.
We are excited to be working on plans to add a large greenhouse to the site for our members to utilize, as well as a courtyard area for members to enjoy socializing.
You’ll find our main parking area at the end of Nault Lane via first Avenue. Lining this area are large cedar planters tended by members. Keep an eye out for signs about what is been growing in these planters. In this main parking area you’ll find our drive through gate and our main walk through gate decorated by a welcome signs created by local artisan. The parking area is the site of our lovey restroom facilities, an out house that truly deserves the name privy. A second walk-through gate can be accessed from the parking lot at the Immaculata church on third Avenue.
We strive to encourage healthy eating and zero waste of the food that is produced in the garden. Connect with us through our Facebook page to hear about food surpluses being shared by our garden members. Anything that doesn't get consumed will be composted in our compost demonstration area and return to the garden as soil.
The garden is always growing and changing just like the crops we plant and the flowers we tend.
Our Community and Climate
Burns Lake is a small rural village in the north-central interior of British Columbia, Canada. The community was incorporated in 1923 and is home to a population of 3,697 according to the 2011 census. Our village is known for its rich First Nations heritage, and extensive network of internationally acclaimed mountain biking trails. We are also known for an extensive network of lakes with more than 20 lakes in the towns immediate vicinity. With over 300 wilderness lakes in the entire district, which is appropriately called the "Lakes District". The town is a hub of local forestry, mining and tourist industries. The community of Burns Lake is fondly referred to as the gateway to Tweedsmuir Park. Tweedsmuir Provincial Park is rich with wildlife, hiking trails, hunting, fishing and other great outdoor activities.
Burns Lake has a humid subarctic continental climate with warm summers with an average temperature in the low 20s. Winters here are usually sunny with an average temperature of about -10.6C. But don't let that information fool you, the weather here can range between +37.6 C and -46.7C, this can make gardening pretty tricky. Our USDA gardening zone is 4b (winter temperatures from -26C to -30C) but depending on your precise location in the Lakes District it may be more accurate to say that we are zone 2b (-40C to -45C).
The gardening season runs from May 20 to September 11 on average making for a fairly short growing season. Our Northern latitude tries to make up for that sort season in hours of sunshine. We hold British Columbia's record for the most hours of sunshine ever recorded in June with 376.5 hours.
Burns Lake is a small rural village in the north-central interior of British Columbia, Canada. The community was incorporated in 1923 and is home to a population of 3,697 according to the 2011 census. Our village is known for its rich First Nations heritage, and extensive network of internationally acclaimed mountain biking trails. We are also known for an extensive network of lakes with more than 20 lakes in the towns immediate vicinity. With over 300 wilderness lakes in the entire district, which is appropriately called the "Lakes District". The town is a hub of local forestry, mining and tourist industries. The community of Burns Lake is fondly referred to as the gateway to Tweedsmuir Park. Tweedsmuir Provincial Park is rich with wildlife, hiking trails, hunting, fishing and other great outdoor activities.
Burns Lake has a humid subarctic continental climate with warm summers with an average temperature in the low 20s. Winters here are usually sunny with an average temperature of about -10.6C. But don't let that information fool you, the weather here can range between +37.6 C and -46.7C, this can make gardening pretty tricky. Our USDA gardening zone is 4b (winter temperatures from -26C to -30C) but depending on your precise location in the Lakes District it may be more accurate to say that we are zone 2b (-40C to -45C).
The gardening season runs from May 20 to September 11 on average making for a fairly short growing season. Our Northern latitude tries to make up for that sort season in hours of sunshine. We hold British Columbia's record for the most hours of sunshine ever recorded in June with 376.5 hours.
Friends of the Garden Program
The friends of the garden program exists to involve those interested in our work bees and educational events, and those interested in supporting the garden in general, who do not wish to have allotment plots. We will keep you up-to-date with all of our garden activities via an email newsletter. We ask that you donate a small amount of your time (4 hours a season) and pay a fee of $10 to help ensure the garden and our gardening projects continue.
You will be given the opportunity to sign up for all our courses, presentations and work bees before the public. Your volunteer hours will be used to help with communal areas in the garden, such as our raspberry and communal potato patch, as well as light year end clean up.
If you would like to donate the member fee ($20) for future gardeners who cannot afford to pay for themselves, your name will be added to our donation wall on the garden shed (coming soon!). Thank you for your interest in our Friends of the Garden Program.
What is the purpose of the Burns Lake Community Garden Society?
a. to provide gardening opportunities to the people of Burns Lake
b. to ensure food security through the production of fresh produce and plants
c. to promote neighbourhood improvement, sense of community and connection to the environment
d. to provide educational activities that promote food sustainability at the community level
a. to provide gardening opportunities to the people of Burns Lake
b. to ensure food security through the production of fresh produce and plants
c. to promote neighbourhood improvement, sense of community and connection to the environment
d. to provide educational activities that promote food sustainability at the community level
Food Security and Burns Lake Official Community Plan
Benefits, Activities and Local Government Actions
Submitted by: Burns Lake Community Garden Society
October 6, 2016
Benefits
• a community committed to long term food security
• more fresh, local, food available to more community members
• increased health of the community, community members and environment
• more social equity and cultural vitality
• stronger, more diversified, small scale economies
Activities
• Community gardens
• Farmers markets
• Backyard fruit and vegetable sales
• Edible landscapes (parks, open spaces and municipal sites)
• Animal husbandry (urban chickens, rabbits, bees, etc.)
• Greenhouses
• Composting
• Growing, processing, marketing and distribution of food
• Educating about food security and renewable energy resources
Possible Local Government Action
• Collaboration with regional, provincial and federal governments
• Allowing or permitting food security activities with urban agriculture bylaws
• Setting aside land for growing, processing and distributing local food
• Tax exemptions for small scale initiatives
Possible OCP Statement
A community plan that provides for food being produced, processed and distributed locally; that creates diverse small scale economies; that encourages community health, builds social equity and cultural vitality; will have local government, in concert with all levels of government, supporting community members in food security activities.
Benefits, Activities and Local Government Actions
Submitted by: Burns Lake Community Garden Society
October 6, 2016
Benefits
• a community committed to long term food security
• more fresh, local, food available to more community members
• increased health of the community, community members and environment
• more social equity and cultural vitality
• stronger, more diversified, small scale economies
Activities
• Community gardens
• Farmers markets
• Backyard fruit and vegetable sales
• Edible landscapes (parks, open spaces and municipal sites)
• Animal husbandry (urban chickens, rabbits, bees, etc.)
• Greenhouses
• Composting
• Growing, processing, marketing and distribution of food
• Educating about food security and renewable energy resources
Possible Local Government Action
• Collaboration with regional, provincial and federal governments
• Allowing or permitting food security activities with urban agriculture bylaws
• Setting aside land for growing, processing and distributing local food
• Tax exemptions for small scale initiatives
Possible OCP Statement
A community plan that provides for food being produced, processed and distributed locally; that creates diverse small scale economies; that encourages community health, builds social equity and cultural vitality; will have local government, in concert with all levels of government, supporting community members in food security activities.
2016 Garden milestones
SPRING/ SUMMER/FALL 2016
Oct 1st compost demonstration and discussion
Sept 20th “Calling all garden members” WORK BEE
Sept 17th WORKING GROUP “African Keyhole Gardens”
August 31st Call to confirm and sign up gardeners for 2017 garden season
August 22nd EXECUTIVE MEETING
August 2nd Garden Meeting with Susan Schienbein Co-chair Partnering for Healthier Communities upcoming funding opportunities
July 28th– VILLAGE CREW move gravel from the parking lot to the floor of the new shelter
July 23-24th – Construction of two 8’X80’ in-ground communal garden spaces LAKES DISTRICT MAINTENANCE & SILVER SKY BACKHOE SERVICE
July 7th Placement of BLCGS WOODEN SIGN at the front gate SIGNATURE WOODCRAFT
July 1st Loading and Trucking of 10 tandem loads of topsoil LAKES DISTRICT MAINTENANCE & SILVER SKY BACKHOE SERVICE
June 29th Delivery of complete Triple Bin Composter JAKE GIESBRECHT
June 20th “Calling all garden members” WORK BEE Construction and planting of Entry Way gardens
June 16th Squash planting project with Grade 1-2 class from MORRIS WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY
June 7th Parking Lot improvements LAKES DISTRICT MAINTENANCE & SILVER SKY BACKHOE SERVICE
June 7th EXECUTIVE MEETING
May 31st Final Report on Sandbox project CHILDREN FIRST
May 27th Restoration of approx. 500 feet of page wire fence by GEORGE JANZEN
May18th Completion of lift of sagging overhead cables along Nault Dr. BC HYDRO, BC TEL, OMENICA CABLE
May 17th WORK BEE 18 members present
May 10th competed construction of four 5’ X20’ raised beds DON MAGWOOD & BEATE MARQUARDT
May 9th Approval of funding application BULKLEY NECHAKO REGIONAL DISTRICT $1500 for Compost Demonstration Area and $1000 for Entryway/Teaching garden (“The Edible Garden”)
May 6th BURNS LAKE AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION $2500 for construction of Communal/In-ground beds
May 4th Digging of footing for Sandbox and Garden Shed/Shelter ROTARY CLUB OF BURNSLAKE
April 18th EXECUTIVE MEETING
April 14th Application to LAKES DISTRICT MAINTENANCE and SILVER SKY BACKHOE SERVICE
April 13th Approval from ROTARY CLUB OF BURNSLAKE for garden shed replacement $7000
March 16th submitted application for a Grant in Aid for Summer 2016 projects to the REGIONAL DISCRICT OF BULKLEY NECHAKO
March 16th signed off completed LICENCE TO OCCUPY agreement with the Village of Burns lake
March 9th submitted request for financial assistance to ROTARY CLUB OF BURNS LAKE in order to construct a new garden storage shed
March 4th Shed Committee meeting regarding shed foundation/footings, building permits, cost estimates, possible funding sources. Input into planning from Gordon Douglas.
March 4th meeting with Elaine Wiebe, Environmental Services Assistant, Regional District Bulkley Nechako, regarding COMPOST DEMONSTRATION at the community garden.
February 28th EXECUTIVE MEETING. Some of the topics were the Licence to Occupy, accessible bed design, sand box project, participation in Official Community Plan process.
February 27th “Micro Greens” WORKSHOP attended by 39 participants at CNC Campus.
February 25th received unofficial notice of receipt of $500 from CHILDREN FIRST to construct a covered sandbox play area for the allotment garden.
February 18th received from Village of Burns Lake CAO approval in principle to construct a new storage shed and pursue any grants that the BLCGS would be eligible for.
February 9th Shed Committee meeting to draft plans for replacement garden shed.
January 28th Site Plan Committee meeting to draft a formal “Site Plan Map”.
January 25th final adoption of NEW MEMBERSHIP AND GARDEN RULES. January 20thSponsored LEARNING EVENT “Seed Variety Selection For Northern Climates” 55 participants at CNC campus
January 14th purchased third party LIABILITY INSURANCE through the “BC Council of Garden Clubs”.
January 13th first regular EXECUTIVE MEETING of 2016. Primarily a discussion of issues related to membership and general garden rules.
SPRING/ SUMMER/FALL 2016
Oct 1st compost demonstration and discussion
Sept 20th “Calling all garden members” WORK BEE
Sept 17th WORKING GROUP “African Keyhole Gardens”
August 31st Call to confirm and sign up gardeners for 2017 garden season
August 22nd EXECUTIVE MEETING
August 2nd Garden Meeting with Susan Schienbein Co-chair Partnering for Healthier Communities upcoming funding opportunities
July 28th– VILLAGE CREW move gravel from the parking lot to the floor of the new shelter
July 23-24th – Construction of two 8’X80’ in-ground communal garden spaces LAKES DISTRICT MAINTENANCE & SILVER SKY BACKHOE SERVICE
July 7th Placement of BLCGS WOODEN SIGN at the front gate SIGNATURE WOODCRAFT
July 1st Loading and Trucking of 10 tandem loads of topsoil LAKES DISTRICT MAINTENANCE & SILVER SKY BACKHOE SERVICE
June 29th Delivery of complete Triple Bin Composter JAKE GIESBRECHT
June 20th “Calling all garden members” WORK BEE Construction and planting of Entry Way gardens
June 16th Squash planting project with Grade 1-2 class from MORRIS WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY
June 7th Parking Lot improvements LAKES DISTRICT MAINTENANCE & SILVER SKY BACKHOE SERVICE
June 7th EXECUTIVE MEETING
May 31st Final Report on Sandbox project CHILDREN FIRST
May 27th Restoration of approx. 500 feet of page wire fence by GEORGE JANZEN
May18th Completion of lift of sagging overhead cables along Nault Dr. BC HYDRO, BC TEL, OMENICA CABLE
May 17th WORK BEE 18 members present
May 10th competed construction of four 5’ X20’ raised beds DON MAGWOOD & BEATE MARQUARDT
May 9th Approval of funding application BULKLEY NECHAKO REGIONAL DISTRICT $1500 for Compost Demonstration Area and $1000 for Entryway/Teaching garden (“The Edible Garden”)
May 6th BURNS LAKE AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION $2500 for construction of Communal/In-ground beds
May 4th Digging of footing for Sandbox and Garden Shed/Shelter ROTARY CLUB OF BURNSLAKE
April 18th EXECUTIVE MEETING
April 14th Application to LAKES DISTRICT MAINTENANCE and SILVER SKY BACKHOE SERVICE
April 13th Approval from ROTARY CLUB OF BURNSLAKE for garden shed replacement $7000
March 16th submitted application for a Grant in Aid for Summer 2016 projects to the REGIONAL DISCRICT OF BULKLEY NECHAKO
March 16th signed off completed LICENCE TO OCCUPY agreement with the Village of Burns lake
March 9th submitted request for financial assistance to ROTARY CLUB OF BURNS LAKE in order to construct a new garden storage shed
March 4th Shed Committee meeting regarding shed foundation/footings, building permits, cost estimates, possible funding sources. Input into planning from Gordon Douglas.
March 4th meeting with Elaine Wiebe, Environmental Services Assistant, Regional District Bulkley Nechako, regarding COMPOST DEMONSTRATION at the community garden.
February 28th EXECUTIVE MEETING. Some of the topics were the Licence to Occupy, accessible bed design, sand box project, participation in Official Community Plan process.
February 27th “Micro Greens” WORKSHOP attended by 39 participants at CNC Campus.
February 25th received unofficial notice of receipt of $500 from CHILDREN FIRST to construct a covered sandbox play area for the allotment garden.
February 18th received from Village of Burns Lake CAO approval in principle to construct a new storage shed and pursue any grants that the BLCGS would be eligible for.
February 9th Shed Committee meeting to draft plans for replacement garden shed.
January 28th Site Plan Committee meeting to draft a formal “Site Plan Map”.
January 25th final adoption of NEW MEMBERSHIP AND GARDEN RULES. January 20thSponsored LEARNING EVENT “Seed Variety Selection For Northern Climates” 55 participants at CNC campus
January 14th purchased third party LIABILITY INSURANCE through the “BC Council of Garden Clubs”.
January 13th first regular EXECUTIVE MEETING of 2016. Primarily a discussion of issues related to membership and general garden rules.
2015 Garden milestones
FALL 2015
November 30th began development of a formal STRATEGIC PLAN.
November 20th we received approval for $750 in grant money from the BURNS LAKE FOUNDATION to purchase metal security gates and garden hoses.
November 6th Received Business Number from Canada Revenue Agency on. Opened a Bank Account for the Society at the Bulkley Valley Credit Union.
November 4th received our CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION under the Societies Act.
October 24th Our third WORK BEE at the garden to complete improvements to the water delivery system. Sixteen participants.
October 14th BLCGS EXECUTIVE MEETING to celebrate Mayor and Council’s decision. Discussion centered around accounting and administrative procedures, budget planning, membership, grant/funding acquisition.
Oct 13th Mayor and Council voted unanimously THAT staff be directed to create an access point to the Community Garden from Nault Drive and general upgrades to the garden property; AND THAT staff be authorized to enter into a FIVE YEAR LEASE AGREEMENT with the Community Garden society for the property for the price of $1.
Council approved the onetime cost of $5300 from the Public Works operational budget spread over 2015 and 2016. The cost is for personnel and equipment and with approximately $500 going toward the purchase of gravel to IMPROVE ACCESS to the garden site.
An additional in-kind donation of equipment and personnel would be approximately 20 hrs per year and would be accommodated in the parks maintenance program for mowing and mechanical weed control.
Received $4000 in grant money from the PARTNERING 4 HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE for 2015.
Oct 12th the privately owned metal garden shed was removed by Village work crew from the middle of Nault Drive to the side.
Oct 5th Rick Martin, Director of Public Works, attended the work bee and conducted a walk and talk session where he verified the boundaries of the community garden and discussed options for improving site access.
Second WORK BEE occurred on Monday October 5th. Burns Lake Cadets had volunteered to assist in loading new soil into the beds. Approximately 20 volunteers on site.
Researched and costed possible improvements for water delivery to the allotment beds.
Sept 29th the society made a PRESENTATION TO VILLAGE COUNCIL to update them on the activities at the garden and to request a lease agreement and some assistance on improving the access to the site.
FALL 2015
November 30th began development of a formal STRATEGIC PLAN.
November 20th we received approval for $750 in grant money from the BURNS LAKE FOUNDATION to purchase metal security gates and garden hoses.
November 6th Received Business Number from Canada Revenue Agency on. Opened a Bank Account for the Society at the Bulkley Valley Credit Union.
November 4th received our CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION under the Societies Act.
October 24th Our third WORK BEE at the garden to complete improvements to the water delivery system. Sixteen participants.
October 14th BLCGS EXECUTIVE MEETING to celebrate Mayor and Council’s decision. Discussion centered around accounting and administrative procedures, budget planning, membership, grant/funding acquisition.
Oct 13th Mayor and Council voted unanimously THAT staff be directed to create an access point to the Community Garden from Nault Drive and general upgrades to the garden property; AND THAT staff be authorized to enter into a FIVE YEAR LEASE AGREEMENT with the Community Garden society for the property for the price of $1.
Council approved the onetime cost of $5300 from the Public Works operational budget spread over 2015 and 2016. The cost is for personnel and equipment and with approximately $500 going toward the purchase of gravel to IMPROVE ACCESS to the garden site.
An additional in-kind donation of equipment and personnel would be approximately 20 hrs per year and would be accommodated in the parks maintenance program for mowing and mechanical weed control.
Received $4000 in grant money from the PARTNERING 4 HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE for 2015.
Oct 12th the privately owned metal garden shed was removed by Village work crew from the middle of Nault Drive to the side.
Oct 5th Rick Martin, Director of Public Works, attended the work bee and conducted a walk and talk session where he verified the boundaries of the community garden and discussed options for improving site access.
Second WORK BEE occurred on Monday October 5th. Burns Lake Cadets had volunteered to assist in loading new soil into the beds. Approximately 20 volunteers on site.
Researched and costed possible improvements for water delivery to the allotment beds.
Sept 29th the society made a PRESENTATION TO VILLAGE COUNCIL to update them on the activities at the garden and to request a lease agreement and some assistance on improving the access to the site.