Light up your holidays, sustainably.

Posted on December 1, 2017 by site admin

The December sun is waning as we near the season’s solstice, and it’s the time of year to reflect and spend time with loved ones around the table as we wait for the light to return. We often light candles around the holidays or in celebration, but did you know that candles, or torches, have been used to illuminate our homes for thousands of years!

Historically, candles were made out of tallow or whale fat with reeds or other plant material as the wick, until beeswax candles were introduced in the Middle Ages (although the earliest recorded beeswax candle is from the 6th century AD!). In the 13th century, candlemaking had become a guild craft and candlemakers (called chandlers) traveled from home to home making candles from saved animal fats collected in home kitchens. At the time, beeswax candles were reserved for used in churches and cathedrals due to their high expense, and over the years candles have been produced from paraffin (a petroleum derivative), soy (from hydrogenated soy plants), and combinations of oils including coconut, almond and palm.

Nowadays, candles have been surpassed in technology by the incandescent light bulb and LED light, but they remain a classic illuminator to celebrate the holidays and bring a warm feeling to your home.

Why Choose Beeswax?

Beeswax is naturally and sustainably produced by honeybees. Pure beeswax candles burn brighter and longer than other candles. They are a natural choice to light as they are non-toxic, hypoallergenic, non-carcinogenic and they don’t irritate people with chemical sensitivities.

Beeswax candles are naturally-scented with the pollen collected by bees when they forage for nectar, creating a relaxing and soothing environment with a warm honey aroma. It is said that burning beeswax an hour before bed produces better sleep and dreams!

Bloom

Over time, natural beeswax will develop a whitish film known as “bloom”. This film indicates that a candle is made of pure beeswax. Some people prefer this patina as it gives the candle a rustic look. However, it can be easily removed by rubbing the candle or gently heating the wax with a blow dryer.

Burning Tips

In larger candles, maintain the wick by keeping it trimmed to 1 cm. A flickering flame or ball on the wick is signs that it needs a trim. Push the edges of the candle into the wax pool periodically. Never leave a burning candle unattended.

Our candlemaker, Barletta Beeswax

Barletta Beeswax makes high-quality 100% pure beeswax candles using Manitoba beeswax. They are available in a variety of shapes, pillars and tapers at The Nature Shop. We’re open Monday to Friday 9am–5pm and weekends and holidays, 10am -5pm weekends and holidays.

The Nature Shop

Located in the Alloway Reception Centre at FortWhyte Alive is The Nature Shop. Stop by this weekend for our annual Holiday Sale where you can find the perfect sustainable gifts for your loved ones this season. The Nature Shop strives to provide a cozy atmosphere, away from the crowded malls, for nature-inspired local gifts. We have local and Canadian made products, stationary, pottery, home décor, sustainably sourced foods, seasonal clothing and jewelry. When you shop at FortWhyte Alive you contribute to environmental education programs. See you this weekend!

World Food Day 2017

Posted on October 16, 2017 by site admin

World Food Day

By FortWhyte Farms staff

Today is World Food Day, the international call to action to engage in the issues around food security and food justice for people all over the globe.

We know that food is a human right. Everyone should be able to access adequate, healthy, safe, affordable, culturally-appropriate food that has been grown responsibly. In other words, everyone should be able to grow, harvest, hunt, acquire, cook and eat with dignity.

At FortWhyte Farms, we believe in food sovereignty, which works with nature and supports entire food systems socially, environmentally and economically. We are inspired by the work of Food Secure Canada, one of the leading alliances promoting holistic food policy changes on a national level, which defines food sovereignty using seven pillars - check them out here.

As we know, food injustices happen all over the world every day. Food production is impacted by pressures of on the environment via climate change, natural disasters and pollution as well as war and other human causes including resource extraction and forced migration.

In Manitoba, the harvest time is bountiful in food from the land. While we often have too much to eat, we also share a responsibility to raise awareness, protect land, increase diversity, and work to build peace.

On this day we can set targets to create a world where everyone is food-secure. Today, what are ways that you can ensure food sovereignty for yourself, your neighbours and communities throughout the world? Let us know on Instagram with the hashtag #getsustainablefwa to win!

Freshwater Ecology Day 2017

Posted on October 10, 2017 by site admin

On October 5, 41 high school students from 6 urban and rural Manitoba attended a special program at FortWhyte to learn about the waters that surround us, and some of the current threats and solutions for better water quality.

Students became citizen scientists for the day, using water sampling equipment and chemistry tests to learn more about measuring the health of an aquatic ecosystem. They got muddy and wet using a water jet planter to restore a section of shoreline on our lakes with "nature's rebar," also known as willow. They collected aquatic insects, learned about fish research, and discussed how water issues in northern Manitoba are impacting water, ecosystems and people.

Thank you to the presenters for sharing their knowledge and inspiring Grades 9-12 students to understand more about water protection, and giving them a great hands-on learning experience:

Kent Lewarne - River Watch & South-Central Eco-Institute
Pauline Gerrard and Danielle Desrochers - IISD – Experimental Lakes Area
Stewart Hill - University of Manitoba Natural Resources Institute Ph.D. Candidate
Audrey Boitson and Armand Belanger - East Interlake Conservation District

For other high school programs related to environmental science at FortWhyte Alive, check out our Urban Water Monitoring program, high school science days or other school programs or contact education@fortwhyte.org to be added to our high school mailing list.

Willow Planting recap

Posted on October 7, 2017 by site admin

This fall, a very special FortWhyte project was made a reality with the help of over 40 pairs of hands.

On September 30, the Willow Planting Workshop crew made fast work of enforcing soil along the shoreline of FortWhyte's oldest clay pit lake, Muir Lake.

Families, university students and adults with green thumbs planted over 1000 willow stem cuttings and 100 Manitoba Maple trees.

Chris Randall of the Seine Rat River Conservation District brought out a water jet planter and demonstrated how this piece of equipment is used in shoreline restoration projects throughout rural Manitoba. We learned how willow is referred to as "Nature's Rebar" because of its impact as a structure to hold soil together.

A special thank you to the following FortWhyte volunteers who donated hours, expertise and equipment to make this project happen: Dana Race & Andrew Long of Stone Lake Trees, arborists and FWA volunteers, Lynne and Rebekah Vickery, permaculturists and FWA volunteers. Many other FortWhyte volunteers assisted with planting and coordinating the days activities, as well as providing photos.

This program was made possible by the generous support of the WWF- Loblaw Water Fund who funded the purchase of trees and planting equipment. This project is a part of the FortWhyte Model Watershed Project with support from RBC Blue Water Fund, Lake Winnipeg Foundation and Honda Canada.

Learn more about how willows can help protect a shoreline near you in this recent blog post.

Plant a Willow: Save a Shoreline!

Posted on September 24, 2017 by site admin

Willows are fast-growing woody plants with impressive root systems. These common plants grow very quickly, and reach mature height after only four years!

Willows (aka Salix) are in the same plant family as poplar trees, but have long narrow or oval leaves, and a more shrubby growth habit. A plant inventory in 2005 found eleven species of willow onsite at FortWhyte Alive, the most common of which was Sandbar Willow (Salix exigua).

Willows have a well known benefit to humanity: their bark contains a traditional medicinal compound, salicylic acid, a potent pain and fever reliever. This compound was the original source of what we now know as Aspirin.

Willows also benefit ecosystems by playing an important role in stabilizing shorelines. Erosion, the loss of land to water, is a natural process, but an increase in water levels, removal of wetlands, disturbance along shorelines, and poor landscaping or land management choices are human impacts that all threaten shorelines and water health.

Planting willows along the shoreline is a cheap and ecological way to rehabilitate the area, by holding the soil together, and create a habitat for various mammals, birds, insects and plants. Manitoba Conservation Districts Association has taken on projects throughout the province involving using willows as natural shoreline protectors. But you can also plant willows on a smaller scale, in your own backyard or at the cottage, to protect your property and the support a healthy environment.

Starting willows is almost a magical process. Due to a rooting hormone called indolebutyric acid produced at the growing tips of branches, willow stems can be clipped, placed in a bucket of water, and will begin to produce adventitious roots. Willow water can induce rooting in other plants, so save your water to try rooting dogwood stems, or other cuttings of your choice.

Try it yourself! Take late fall or early spring cuttings of willow stems about 20-30 centimetres long and about the diameter of a pencil. Soak in water for 14 days, then go out and push the willow stem into the ground near water as deep as you can, so only about a thumb-length appears above the soil surface. Water is important, so plant as close to the water as you can safely go or make sure the soil stays well saturated as the plants are establishing. Planting in spring can result in better success if you are planting in a drier area. Varying opinions are out there, so try a few different things and you’re sure to have some success!

Or, come on out this Saturday, September 30, to take part in a willow planting workshop along FortWhyte Alive’s shorelines. To find out more about this event, visit www.fortwhyte.org/willowplanting.

For information on planting willows, check out this vintage 1995 article from Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources. Online: http://www.lrconline.com/Extension_Notes_English/pdf/willows.pdf

By: Katrina Froese, Education Program Coordinator

FortWhyte Alive

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