Buildings are Cliffs!
@Jonas_Ecoman

Up to this point the off season deep think, dreaming and scheming has been a labour of love. Long term projects and practical application development occurred during the winter months only. Taken together this body of work is the "climate labour" required to position horticulture activities in the context of climate change. There are currently 8 projects in various stages of completion:

REFERENCE SYMPOSIUM: Every year we bring ecologists to designers to talk about ecosystems that are relevant to urban planting design.

BUILDINGS ARE CLIFFS: We did an extensive literature review of plant inventories of local cliff and alvar ecosystems and cross referenced with commercial availability. The result is a palette of plants for use in hardscape applications (in patios, walkways, stairs, walls, roofs, planters, terraces and balconies).

INFILTRATE HARDSCAPE: We developed prototypes for vertical and horizontal applications using the hardscape plants palette.

BUILDING COOL HABITAT: We launched a campaign to provide hardscape plants directly to people who live in buildings.

LOW CARBON FOOTPRINT: 2021 launching electric bike & trailer to explore zero emission gardening services.

TORONTO SEED STRATEGY: Organized multi sector meetings to establish a safe, secure and reliable source for local seed and bumping up vulnerable populations using seed orchards.

H&R REIT SEED ORCHARD: 2021 Establishing a seed orchard on green roof to ramp up supply of seed for hardscape plants (to be grown by local nurseries)

THE MOVIE: HARSCAPE PLANTS A documentary on the critical importance of plants as infrastructure with interviews from landscape architects, architects, academics and designers.

ACTION PLANS: Research, public speaking and presentations to universities, horticulture sector groups and adjacent professionals to help anticipate what will be required of us going forward including opportunities and new directions.