Permaculture at the University of Victoria Campus Community Gardens

Abstract

This paper summarizes an urban restoration project that examines ecological restoration as it pertains to sustainable urban agriculture and environmental education. The project takes place in Victoria, BC, at the University of Victoria (UVic) Campus Community Gardens (CCG) and aims to replace resource-intensive lawns with perennial edible garden beds, restore a neglected apple tree to a healthy fruit-producing state, and remove invasive species in order to prevent their further spread and to maximize the potential of desired species. The gardens have been an essential site for community engagement and education at the university since their induction in 1998. This project utilizes the CCG’s presence on campus to expand the university community’s awareness of food security issues and provides volunteers with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with permaculture techniques. As a result of this project, 13 perennial food plants were established at the garden site, the apple tree underwent the first step toward restoration, and all the invasive species growing on the site were removed. On-going maintenance and management will be required to ensure the long-term success of this project.