Enhancing Green Spaces
in Communities
People, Plants and Pride… Growing Together

Symposium Presentations

Held in conjunction with the annual national and international awards ceremonies, this event is a unique opportunity for elected officials, parks and grounds professionals and community volunteers to learn and share about current issues, trends and challenges not only in horticulture and gardening, but in community tourism and projects, environmental awareness, and much more.

Presentations

Thursday, September 14, 2017

  • Keynote Speaker, Lise Cormier, Executive Vice-President and General Manager, Mosaïcultures Internationales de Montréal
    Mosaïcultures Internationales® : From art to international events

Further to an overview of the art of Mosaïculture re-invented through the launch of MosaÏcultures Internationales® in 2000, and exhibitions such as MOSAÏCANADA 150/GATINEAU 2017 and others shown around the world, who better than Lise Cormier, initiator of these major horticultural events, to introduce the subject? (PDF Presentation)

  • THE NATIONAL CAPITAL FLORAL PROGRAM
    Mario Fournier, Manager, Rehabilitation & Life Cycle Program, Capital Stewardship Branch and Tina Liu, Landscape Architect, Design & Construction, Capital Planning

We will delve into the history behind floral design in Canada’s Capital and explore how maintenance and design strategies constantly evolve to adapt to various cultural, social, economic and climatic influences throughout the years. We will discuss what it takes to maintain the reputation of offering a world class floral display for residents and visitors from around the world. (PDF Presentation)

  • CANADA 150 TULIP : AN AMAZING NATIONAL OUTREACH STORY
    Daniel Feeny, Director – Marketing & Partnerships | National Capital Commission (NCC)

The tulip is a historic and distinctive symbol of our Capital. As the Official Gardener of Canada’s Capital, a team of landscape architects and designers at the National Capital Commission developed the Canada 150 Tulip, a special tulip designed to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation. Wearing the colours of the Canadian flag, the Canada 150 Tulip immediately conquered the hearts of Canadians at home and around the world. The presentation tells the story of this project, the collaboration of key partners and its remarkable success in engaging Canadians. (PDF Presentation)

  • NATURAL CAPITAL: THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF NATIONAL CAPITAL COMMISSION GREEN SPACES
    Geneviève Mercier, Senior Environmental Strategy Officer

The NCC protects and conserves more than 55,000 hectares of federal land in the National Capital Region. Much of these lands are green spaces that provide direct monetary benefits, as well as benefits not measured according to traditional market metrics. This study conducted in partnership with the Université du Québec en Outaouais and the David Suzuki Foundation estimates that communities in the National Capital Region receive benefits worth an average of $332 million per year from the NCC’s green spaces. (PDF Presentation)

  • BEES MATTER INITIATIVES
    Jillian Bender, Senior Communications Officer, CropLife Canada

Bees Matter is an initiative to restate agriculture’s commitment to honey bees and bring knowledge to the Canadian public about how they can get involved and help honey bees thrive. As part of the campaign, they’ve given away over 70,000 free pollinator friendly seed kits across the country through their Buzzing Gardens program. (PDF Presentation)

Friday, September 15, 2017

  • Keynote Speaker, Michael Rosen, President of Tree Canada
    CN EcoConnexions and Tree Canada Projects

CN and its partners Tree Canada and Communities in Bloom help Canadian municipalities and community groups establish tree planting and green space enhancement initiatives in a sustainable, environmentally responsible manner. The program aims to enhance environmental and social health of communities. Since its inception this program, which offers grants of up to $25,000 to promote the greening of municipal land in communities along the tracks of CN, more than 60,000 trees and shrubs have been planted in 150 communities across Canada.
(PDF Presentation)

  • A truly national way to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary: The Great Trail
    Paul LaBarge, Board Chair

Paul LaBarge is one of the original founding members of Trans Canada Trail (TCT). This not-for-profit organization works with donors, partners, governments, landowners and volunteers to create The Great Trail, an epic trail of trails across Canada offering a wide range of outdoor experiences on greenway, waterway and roadway. TCT’s goal is to have The Great Trail connected from coast to coast to coast in 2017. Hear Paul share the inspiring story of this iconic Canadian endeavour and the journey to connection in 2017 and beyond. (PDF Presentation)

Saturday, September 16, 2017

  • Town Hall Meeting with Mark Cullen and Exchange between International and Canadian Communities

Listowel Tidy Town Group, Co Kerry, Ireland – Jimmy Moloney (no presentation available)
Grado, Gorizia, Italy – Andrea de Walderstein, Emiliano Facchinetti (PDF Presentation)
Bruges, Belgium – Maarten Vansteenhuyse (PDF Presentation)
Holland, Michigan, USA – Mayor Nancy DeBoer (YouTube Video)
SPRA Grants and Funding Opportunities Guide (https://www.spra.sk.ca/funding/additional-funding)