Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Through its restoration work in Toronto, Evergreen has also discovered that the
simple act of not labeling its work “ecological restoration” in public discussions and
documents reduces the disconnect people feel with the language of ecological resto-
ration (Rebekka Hutton, pers. comm.). The group has found that the undercurrents
associated with the use of technical ecological restoration language discourage many
people from becoming involved. This can be particularly relevant when working in
neighborhoods with populations who speak English as a second language. By dis-
cussing and promoting opportunities and activities as “planting events,” “harvest festi-
vals,” or “activity potlucks,” a wider range of public engagement, particularly from
nonexperts, becomes possible. Labeling ecological restoration work as a more accessi-
ble activity can, according to Evergreen staff, introduce people to a wider idea of what
urban ecological restoration is about in their neighborhood and how it pertains to
their lives, which encourages increased interest and involvement in local projects (Re-
bekka Hutton, pers. comm.).
Adapting our view of the natural environment to include the social, cultural, and
environmental dimensions of urban living can make ecological restoration more ac-
cessible to diverse populations. The Hispanic Development Council's (HDC) Social
Ecology project focused on “social work from an environmental perspective and vice-
versa” (Alas 2005, 5). Through projects such as urban agriculture training for new
Canadians and the creation of a native flower garden by senior tenants living in low-
income housing, the HDC linked social and environmental issues and created com-
munity support for urban greening projects (Ramos 2005).
Forging New Connections to Promote Diverse Volunteers
Linkages between government, nonprofit organizations, and the community are im-
portant for attracting volunteers and creating energy and interest within the commu-
nity for the project (Beth Cragg, pers. comm.; see chap. 2, this volume). In areas of
Toronto where there is little community involvement, volunteers are often transported
from other areas of the city to plant trees and steward the site, even though they were
not involved in the project conception or planning and will probably not use the
space after the project's completion (Beth Cragg, pers. comm.). Making connections
with local community partners and involving them in the decision-making process
from the beginning will assure longer-term benefit for the local community, which in
turn increases the possibility of long-term success of the project. Partnering with di-
verse organizations right from the start of a project increases the influence of racial-
ized people in decision making around the use of local urban green space and in-
creases the likelihood that priorities specific to these populations will be identified
and implemented (Shannon Thompson, pers. comm.).
4
Lopez and Thomas (2006) suggest that when working toward equity it is important
to provide racialized people with the tools and resources necessary to build capacity in
their own communities so that they will have the ability to participate in decision-
making processes. Spending time and resources to construct and maintain relation-
ships with community members and local organizations before restoration work takes
