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Kitchener Public Library will remain closed until at least May 4, 2020. Visit our news page for more information.
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Planning for Growth
Planning for Growth:
Digital Living at its freshest! April brings the hope of renewed life and growth. Plan for sustainable living with us whether in your own garden, our community or globally by taking a look at the articles, videos and ebooks highlighted here. Let’s educate ourselves on how to reclaim natural habitats and cultivate new ways to work, farm and live.
Featured Playlist
Enjoy our "Growing Strong" playlist as you learn more about sustainable living within our local communities, and the world.
Sign into Freegal Music with your library card to enjoy unlimited streaming!
Pollinators
Bees; native and honey bees provide crucial pollination services for edible and non-edible plants in our community. Check out the Bees at Central Library, hard at work! Let’s celebrate all pollinators including butterflies, flies, insects and birds in the online links below. Don’t forget, everyone can play a part by cultivating flowers and plants that attract these amazing pollinators our world needs to survive.
Sustainability and Rebuilding Ecosystems
Provided here are a number of materials highlighting the positive efforts and change in industry, farming and housing that are helping to preserve the environment and live in a more sustainable world.
Get Your Greens
Have you considered growing your own vegetables in a garden or enjoying them year round in a window box? Whether we pick them up at the grocery store, local market or CSA drop (Community Support Agriculture) we all agree that they’re essential for a balanced diet and overall health. Think of all the ways to enjoy them! Here are some suggestions:
Creative Gardening
Every garden is unique and reflects community values. The gardens highlighted here work with challenges of space, climate, and cost. First check out innovative gardens that push the boundaries of how we grow in a modern world. Next, explore how to create your own garden and push the limits of what gardening can be for you and for your community.
More Planning for Growth Resources
The Kitchener Public Library is invested in green growth initiatives. Did you know that there are honey bee hives in the outdoor viewing area on the second level at Central Library? Or that the Central Library boasts a Learning Garden in the Sheriff John Motz Courtyard? Read about the Learning Garden's first season.
Kitchener is officially a ‘Bee City’ and has committed to protecting pollinators in the community. From the city’s website: “Kitchener will continue to create new pollinator habitat, provide education and community outreach opportunities, and look for creative ways to celebrate pollinators in our city.”
Garden Kitchener, also known as the Kitchener Horticultural Society has many resources and links to local information for all types of gardening.
If you’re ready to get growing but lack the outdoor space to do so, visit the Community Gardens Council of Waterloo Region. Search for community gardens based on location or name, then apply for your own slice of green through their website.
Community Supported Agriculture in KW
Community Supported Agriculture opportunities are basically investments in local farms. Pay for a season of produce up front and pick up your fresh produce weekly during the growing season. CSAs are fantastic because they support local while eliminating food waste, the middleman and food distances. They are also often a great way to try local veggies that you haven’t tried before.