We love building better public places. It's practically our slogan! But stewarding public space means taking care of the land that's already there. That's where placekeeping comes in.

Placekeeping is a reframing of the more commonly known term placemaking from an Indigenous lens. Placekeeping refers to the understanding by many Indigenous knowledge-keepers and practitioners that places are not just empty spaces; they have their own stories, significance and influence. This perspective encourages us to respect and maintain the integrity of each place.

When we honour and protect the unique qualities of different places, we support biodiversity, sustain ecosystems and promote resilience against climate change.

In this month's edition of Evergreen News, we're exploring how being caretakers of place can help us adapt and mitigate to a changing climate. Read on for stories about the role of urban forests, the benefits of native plants, the transformative impact of climate-ready school grounds and more.

It's expected that the frequency of extreme heat days in Ontario will double by 2050. Cities, home to the majority of Canadians, experience intensified heat due to the urban heat island effect. Even a very small increase in canopy cover could make an unbe-leaf-able difference.

AI is already transforming our lives. It can create music, make investments and diagnose diseases. It could probably even write newsletters.👀

So, how can we use it to tackle the climate crisis? Read about Evergreen's AI for the Resilient City tool, which helps municipalities across Canada mitigate the impacts of extreme heat and helps us grow the urban forest.

Why are invasive species such a big deal? These uninvited guests are more than just a nuisance. "While a field of Dog Strangling Vine looks green to us, to a monarch butterfly, it might as well be a desert; nothing to eat, nowhere to lay eggs," says Olivia Dziwak, Evergreen’s Senior Specialist of Urban Ecology.

On the other hand, native plants are incredibly valuable to local ecosystems, serving as natural habitats and sources of nutrition for pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. 

Click below to join us for a walk around the gardens at the Brick Works and see how native plants are helping us practice placekeeping and tackle the climate crisis.

Occasionally overlooked as a public space, many beaches are open for everyone to enjoy. During the summer, these are important places of joy, connection and relaxation!

Are you dreaming of a sunny day, sand on your feet and a body of water glistening before you? You can enjoy extraordinary beaches in every province and territory with these hot tips. Did we miss any hidden gems?

The roots of modern ballroom culture lie in the Harlem Drag Balls of the 1920s and 1930s. These gatherings offered a haven for LGBTQ+ individuals, especially Black and Latinx people to express themselves through performances.

Read our interview with Legendary Twysted, the founder of the Supreme Kiki House of Siriano (one of 13 houses in the city and one of the oldest) who will be hosting their House Ball at Evergreen Brick Works on July 7th.

Early Bird registration for the Evergreen Conference is now open! Secure your spot today to take advantage of discounted pricing for our two-day event on October 9 and 10, 2024. We’re also thrilled to announce our keynote speaker for this year’s conference, Eric Klinenberg!

Eric Klinenberg is the Helen Gould Shepard Professor of Social Science and Director of the Institute for Public Knowledge at New York University. He is the author of several books, including Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization and the Decline of Civic Life (2018). Klinenberg will draw on his extensive research in urban planning, behavioural economics, and environmental psychology to emphasize the critical need for investing in vital public spaces and institutions for the health of people and the planet.

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