Farmers’ Markets and Upcoming Eco-events in May

Written by guest blogger Denise Deby, who writes on local and global social and environmental issues.

May brings fresh local produce, gardening and more to Ottawa.
Many farmers’ markets start up again in May. The Ottawa Farmers’ Market runs Sundays at Lansdowne and Fridays in Orleans, while the Main Farmers’ Market happens Saturdays on Main Street. Farmers’ Markets Ontario has a searchable list of member farmers’ markets in other parts of Ottawa and the region.

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – Ottawa Valley Chapter (CPAWS-OV) is holding its Annual General Meeting on Saturday May 7, 10 am-1 pm, Saint Paul University, 223 Main Street, Auditorium 203, Guigues Hall. Learn about CPAWS-OV’s work and hear botanist and author Diana Beresford-Kroeger speak forests and health. Free admission; open to the public.

Jane’s Walk Ottawa 2011 is Saturday and Sunday, May 7-8. Jane’s Walk, which takes place in cities around the world, celebrates the ideas of Jane Jacobs, an urbanist and activist who promoted a community perspective on the design and organization of cities. In Ottawa, local people will give free neighbourhood walking tours offering insights into each area’s history, planning, design, and civic engagement. Organizers say “Jane’s Walk is about getting close to your city, about getting out and observing, meeting your neighbours, discovering new areas, and learning about the urban landscape, streetscape, buildings, parks, public art and monuments, and the details of daily existence that weave together into the fabric of our urban existence.” For more information see http://www.janeswalkottawa.ca/view/?home.

Transition Ottawa is holding the first of its Ottawa Urban Wild walking tours, called Wild Food in The City, on Sunday May 8, 2:30-4 pm in Heron Park (Heron Road and Clover Street). Explore common, safe non-toxic weeds and plants, where to find them and when, which parts of the plant to harvest, how to prepare them, and how to forage safely and ethically in an urban environment. Free admission. See http://www.urbanwildtours.blogspot.com/.
Also during May, Just Food has Beginner Level Organic Gardening Workshops and a session on How to Start a Community Garden. Check their website for dates. Ecology Ottawa is running a number of events in May related to clean and community energy; check their website for details.