School invites all to tour its garden program

Brampton Guardian

BRAMPTON— Brampton’s Louise Arbour Secondary School is hosting its Community Gardening Open House Thursday to celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity.

Families and public in the school community are invited to attend the event, featuring guest speaker Gino Piscelli of the Region of Peel, who will speak about Fusion Landscaping. This trend in landscaping and garden design brings together traditional gardens and modern, eco-friendly plants, flowers, colours and textures.

There will also be multilingual-guided tours to view a student-designed greenhouse, native species garden, vegetable garden, hybrid utility vehicle, solar heater and recycling depot.

Activities for children, such as nature crafts, seed planting and vermicomposting (composting with worms), will be demonstrated as well.

“The activities at this event will appeal to all generations in our school community,” principal Linda Galen said in a news release. “Newcomer community members will feel welcomed and included by our multilingual tours. We look forward to an evening which unites our school community in a common vision of social justice and environmental stewardship.”

Funded by the Ministry of Education Community Engagement grant, the EcoSquad at Louise Arbour has worked over the past four years to green the school grounds and create environmental awareness.

The goal is to have students consider green choices in their daily lives and career choices, said Carmelina Crupi, event co-advisor.

The open house is organized to highlight those career pathways Louise Arbour students can study and educate the community about the eco-friendly choices they can make in everyday life.

Local and partner organizations, including Cathy’s Composters, EcoSource, Toronto Region Conservation Authority, FarmStart and Canadian Tire, will also be present to provide information and connect with the school community.

Piscelli’s presentation will begin at 7 p.m. and end at 7:30 p.m. A draw for a tablet and other door prizes will also be held.

Louise Arbour Secondary School is located at 365 Father Tobin Road in Brampton.