Plants of New Brunswick: Labrador Tea

by on January 23, 2013

Labrador Tea

Rhododendron groenlandicum

Sym. Ledum groenlandicum

 

Picture taken near Sackville, New Brunswick

 

A native wetland shrub growing in enclosed marshes and wetlands in the Acadian Forest.

This ‘tea’ was used by Native Americas as a diuretic, bad breath, diarrhea, infections, headaches and migraines. It was also used by early European settlers as a  black tea alternative. One should take care in identifying this in the wild, as similar plant species are toxic. Only small doses of this tea should be taken, as the Labrador Tea can be toxic in high doses.

Not to be confused with bog laurel (Kalmia microphylla).

Plants of New Brunswick: Bloodroot

by on January 22, 2013

Bloodroot

Sanguinaria canadensis

 

Taken in Sackville, New Brunswick

A rare native forest herb featured in CFI’s Food Forest Garden at the Sackville Community Garden. This plant flowers in the early spring, before the leaves have opened on the trees. This plant is known as a spring ephemeral, holding nutrients in the forest soil in the snow melts and heavy rains of the spring. It dies back just as the other forest plants wake up, releasing nutrients back into the forest ecosystem.

Plants of New Brunswick: Alder

by on January 21, 2013

Alder

Alnus spp.

 

This may be a farmer’s arch enemy – but Alder has countless ecological services. It is known as a pioneer plant, taking over old fields after grasses and smaller woody shrubs. It fixes nitrogen in the soil – the most limiting nutrient in plant growth. It shades the soil so that grasses struggle and trees can grow. It holds water, keeping land from flooding. Generations down the line we see a forest – many thanks to the Alder shrub.

Plants of New Brunswick: Bunchberry

by on January 17, 2013

Bunchberry

Cornus canadensis

 

Picture taken near Port Elgin, New Brunswick

Restoration Uses:

Bunchberry is a ground cover that grows under the forest canopy.  It’s a beautiful native herb for your food forest garden.

Bunchberry also accumulates Cu, Fe, K, Pb, Mn, Mg, P, Ca and Zn in its tissues, holding nutrients within the system preventing leaching. When the plants die back every year, some of these nutrients become available to other plants.

Garden Uses:

Berries edible. Roots – antispasmodic and antiseptic; Leaves – analgesic and cathartic; Fruits – capillary tonic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic.

# 15 Turn Problems into Solutions

by on January 2, 2013

Positive change rarely happens without a fight. Recognizing there is a problem is the first step toward finding a solution and the challenges we face now show us the need for better ways of interacting with one another and the planet. Shifting how we look at our problems is essential to finding new approaches to the difficult issues we are facing. Over the past month, we have had an opportunity to share some of the inspiring ideas that have impacted the way we approach our work. This is only a small segment of what is possible. Help us continue to expand our understanding by sending along your stories, insights and inspiring discoveries. We are always interested in learning new things and refining the way we interact with people and the planet. Let’s make 2013 a year filled with growing awareness and positive action. Happy New Year!

# 14 Vote Everyday

by on December 31, 2012

Each purchase we make (or don’t make) impacts our world in a very tangible way. So let’s get behind good things! Food is a great example. Local organic farmers have seen a renewed interest in their meat and vegetables due to customers understanding the value of healthy, local food. At CFI we hope to see this trend continue into the forestry sector; where customers and contractors realize that by paying a little more for certified wood products, we can build homes that employ local woodsmen that harvest responsibly without destroying this beautiful resource.

# 13 Appropriate Technology

by on December 30, 2012

For technology to impact the lives of everyone on our planet, it needs to fit well within the economic, social and environmental landscapes of the people who use it. True appropriate technologies are so well suited for their purpose that they revolutionize the way we do things; providing essential services, while being affordable and easy to maintain. In Pemba, we have employed the Legacy Foundation’s elegant ‘ratchet press’ to create a charcoal-substitute for home cooking applications, helping reduce the amount of trees cut for fuel wood. With some slight modifications, we have also been able to use the press for an entirely new purpose; making 100% recycled seedling containers. Each briquette and seedling container is made from different mixtures of excess organic material like kitchen scraps, leaves and paper. Best of all, Its simple design can be made on the spot with local wood in a few hours. For a taste of what is possible, check out this awesome TED talk.http://bit.ly/YXpjnE

# 12 Come Together

by on December 27, 2012

People all around the world are making positive changes in their communities; from standing up against injustice in the Middle East, to offering free after-school musical training for hundreds of thousands of children in Venezuela. Amazing changes happen when people come together with the desire to create a better life. Now, more than ever, we have the ability to connect and share with others around the world. When we connect with respect and good intention anything and everything is possible.

# 11 Change Your Mind

by on December 26, 2012

We live in an important time. We will be remembered as the generation who either changed the world for the better, or ignored the needs of all but ourselves. Take the leap with us, and fearlessly explore new ways of thinking about our place in the world. We create our society through the systems and laws we make. Are our laws and systems just? Do they represent all people and honour our planet? By listening to the ideas of innovators, elders, and community leaders, locally and globally, we can begin to look critically at some of our outdated and exploitative practices. When we change the way we think, we can change our world.

#10 Biodiversity is Key

by on December 21, 2012

The changes we are experiencing in our weather patterns and climate are already stressing both human and non-human systems. To prepare for further changes, we must encourage natural ecosystems and create healthy human systems that are able to adapt and thrive as our climate changes. By managing with the health of our forests in mind; increasing the biodiversity of species like trees and other plants, we are investing in genetic diversity, and encouraging an environment where the species that are best adapted to a new climate will thrive. This will allow life sustaining ecological functions to continue to provide the essential services to all who live on our planet. Just like a one industry town is inflexible and at risk when that industry leaves, so too are natural systems that become simplified by human intervention.
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