Dear Brentwoodians,
It is hard to believe with the temperature having dipped back down under -10C and a cold wind howling outside, but spring is right around the corner! Even though the world news continues to be grim, there is a glimmer of hope that the COVID pandemic that has caused so much harm and disruption might be moving to a new phase that allows for more freedom of movement without fear of getting sick or infecting others. Hopefully, this means that we will be able to take part in our favourite warm-weather activities as we used to!
One popular outdoor pursuit for Brentwoodians is gardening. Whether growing flowers, fruit and vegetables, or getting that beautiful green lawn, gardening is proven to have both physical and mental benefits – provided we take the right measures to avoid strain on our backs and knees! One way to make gardening easier and more accessible is by using raised planter boxes, as is done in the Brentwood Community Garden. If you want to try this out, gardening group coordinator Cynthia Sim reports that there are still a few boxes available for rent this season.
In addition to taking steps to protect our joints and muscles from strain, it is also important to protect our plants, trees, and green spaces from invasive species and disease. As detailed elsewhere in this issue, stopping the spread of these is paramount in preserving both native plants and the mature trees and shrubs that give our neighbourhood its character.
And if wild plants are more your thing, we in Brentwood are fortunate to have both the Whispering Woods and Nose Hill Park close at hand – as well as many smaller natural spaces in parks and schoolyards. The Friends of Nose Hill provide stewardship for that amazing space in our city. Stay tuned for the return of Environews in coming issues to learn about enjoying and caring for our precious urban wildlands.
Photo Contest
The Bugle is looking for Brentwood’s best amateur photographers to provide cover images each month. If you have a great snap of our neighbourhood saved on your phone or posted on your social media feed, send it in for a chance to be featured on the cover of an upcoming issue! Photos must be 300 DPI or higher (i.e., from a newer model phone or good digital camera), 2400 x 1600 pixels minimum size, and portrait orientation. If submitting pictures of minors, please make sure that you have direct, express permission to submit the picture from a parent or guardian. Send your photos, or any questions, to [email protected].
Yours sincerely,
Jonathan Jucker
Editor, Brentwood Bugle
