The Wild Garden

So delighted to be part of this lovely collaboration.

Summer plant walks are back!

Join us on an educational adventure to discover the many plants thriving alongside our beloved dead; the life among the stones.

Burial sites are home to rich biodiversity. Local herbalist and botanical expert Amber Westfall of The Wild Garden is our guide to the hidden ecology of these sacred spaces. Slow down, look closely, and discover the natural beauty growing among the gravestones. These walks are a gentle, meaningful way to connect with the land, the past, and the present as we remember our beloved dead.

We'll be joined by members of En Terre Outaouais - Enterrement Naturel / Natural Burial for this first educational adventure of 2026. Our kindred natural burial advocacy group, they are working to bring this option to residents of Quebec.

Free to attend and all are welcome. There is a moderate amount of walking. Please RSVP at [email protected] for meet-up location and further details (and to donate!) Donations for Amber are gratefully accepted. Please note there is no rain date. With the exception of extreme weather (lightning!) this event is rain-or-shine.

Join our summer field trips and meet the rich plant life found in local cemeteries.

Connecting to Indigenous Plants & Traditional Food Systems

Where: Just Food Community Farm (2391 Pepin Ct)
When: June 7, 2:00 - 3:30 PM
Presented by Harmony Eshkawkogan
Cost: Pay-what-you-can, even if that’s $0!

Through storytelling, plant identification, and discussion, learn how urban Indigenous youth are reconnecting to land and practicing Indigenous Food Sovereignty through community gardening.

Explore Indigenous plants and their Anishinaabemowin names and uses, including sweetgrass, sage, to***co, berries, milkweed, herbs, and more.

Together we’ll reflect on how colonialism disrupted Indigenous food systems, discuss ways to support Indigenous Food Sovereignty, and learn how restoring traditional food systems contributes to truth and reconciliation.

Register here: www.justfood.ca/workshops

A good reminder as gardening season gets underway!

It’s that time of year again where well-meaning neighbours try to share their “extras” with neighbours.

This year don’t be fooled and don’t be that neighbour!

There are certain “gifts” that shouldn’t be given. If you have too much of one plant.. double check to make sure it’s not invasive before gifting.

Our graphic show a few of the common plants “gifted”!

Trust us, friends don’t give friends invasive plants..

IF you do have extra plants that are native or non-invasive, please remember to share them as “bare bottoms” 😳 (aka wash the roots) :-) so you don’t mistakenly share insects or weeds. (No one will thank you for creeping charlie, creeping jenny or creeping bellflower!)

Did you know that none of these invasive species in our graphic should be planted on city boulevards? Check out Schedule A of the cityofottawa’s bylaw for other species not to plant! https://tinyurl.com/BylawSchedule

Learn more at invasivespeciescentre!
A more comprehensive “do not plant” list can be found here:https://ero.ontario.ca/public/public_uploads/2024-01/cvc-appendix-landowners-guide-to-invasives.pdf

I am looking forward to collaborating with Community Deathcare Ottawa again this summer. The first walk of the season is on June 14th.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/plant-walks-2026-life-among-the-stones-tickets-1989117746726?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join us on an educational adventure to discover the many plants thriving alongside our beloved dead; the life among the stones.

Burial sites are home to rich biodiversity. Local herbalist and botanical expert Amber Westfall of The Wild Garden is our guide to the hidden ecology of these sacred spaces. Slow down, look closely, and discover the natural beauty growing among the gravestones. These walks are a gentle, meaningful way to connect with the land, the past, and the present as we remember our beloved dead.

We'll be joined by members of En Terre Outaouais for this first educational adventure of 2026. Our kindred natural burial advocacy group, they are working to bring this option to residents of Quebec.

Free to attend and all are welcome. There is a moderate amount of walking. Please RSVP at [email protected] for meet-up location and further details (and to donate!) Donations for Amber are gratefully accepted. Please note there is no rain date. With the exception of extreme weather (lightning!) this event is rain-or-shine.

Join our summer field trips and meet the rich plant life found in local cemeteries.