Winners announced in the David Suzuki garden photo contest

By: David Suzuki Foundation


VANCOUVER – Five-thousand people have voted and the results are in – 10 of this country’s top green-thumbs have been crowned as Canada’s pesticide-free garden leaders, the David Suzuki Foundation announced today.

This year’s David Suzuki Digs My Garden contest saw a total of 580 entries come in from every part of the country, ranging from Bobbie Palaniuk’s ornamental garden in Bentley, Alta. the YWCA rooftop garden in Vancouver, to even a submission from Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and his family.

“Everyone who participated in the contest – including the entrants and those who voted online – has shown that toxic pesticides simply aren’t necessary for a gorgeous green yard,” says David Suzuki. “Let’s hope that our governments get the message and ban the use and sale of lawn and garden pesticides.”

In addition to showing that Canadians are adept at growing beautiful lawns and gardens ‘drug-free’, the contest also highlighted some of the amazing stories of individuals and community groups and their respective gardens. Here are just a few of their stories:

· In downtown Toronto, the High Park Children’s Garden began as a program to help reclaim an unused and unsafe area at the south end of High Park. It’s been a huge success and for 11 seasons local children have planted, tended and harvested an abundant assortment of organic fruits and vegetables from the garden. A chance to get dirty, hold a worm or eat peas and ground cherries fresh from the garden are just a few of the exciting experiences these children have.

· The YWCA Vancouver’s Rooftop Food Garden began in the summer of 2006 when YWCA Vancouver staffers decided to experiment with growing fruits and vegetables on the roof. Each season, countless volunteers grow high-quality, organic produce, which are then taken to a family resource centre to supplement the diets of some of the women and children in Vancouver’s downtown eastside.

The online response to the photo submissions was overwhelming and in two categories, winners were separated by less than 30 votes. Winners of the second annual David Suzuki Digs My Garden photo contest have been posted online (www.davidsuzuki.org/gardencontest) and include:

Outstanding Ornamentals
Gail Spring, Dundas, Ont.
Bobbie Palaniuk, Bentley, Alta.
High Park Children’s Garden, Toronto, Ont. (community category)

Voluminous Vegetables
Barbara Kimball, Oshawa, Ont.
YMCA, Vancouver, B.C. (community category)

Luscious Lawns
Marie Lynn Hammond, Stouffville, Ont.
Family Solomon, Montreal, Que. (community category)
Boulevarden Community, Lethbridge, Alta. (community category)

Balcony Bliss
Melanie Rekola, Barrie, Ont.
Jessie Klassen & Joel Ralph, Winnipeg, Man. (community category)

The success of the contest reflects a growing movement away from lawn and garden pesticides. Quebec has banned certain lawn pesticides; however, the restriction does not extend to gardens. Ontario recently passed a law that paves the way for more comprehensive protections; regulations now under development will specify important details of the Ontario ban, which is expected to enter into force next summer.

To view photos of the winning entries, visit: www.davidsuzuki.org/gardencontest.

For more information or to contact the contest winners in your area:
Lisa Gue
Health and Environment Policy Analyst
David Suzuki Foundation
Cell: 613-796-7699

Jason Curran
Communications specialist
David Suzuki Foundation
Office: 604-732-4228, ext. 229
Cell: 604-961-9591

source: David Suzuki Foundation