Let’s keep neighbourhoods clean, green and beautiful

Community Cleanup, Adopt-A-Trail and Community Gardening Day are back this spring

There are many ways to help keep Wood Buffalo clean and green: find out what programs and events are coming to the region this season!

Community Cleanup and Adopt-A-Trail

Say goodbye to trash and debris from the winter! Register as a group or an individual in the annual Community Cleanup and Adopt-A-Trail programs.

How does the Adopt-A-Trail program work?

• Improve a section of trail or greenspace, ranging from half a kilometer to three kilometers in length.
• Commit to four cleanup sessions between May and September.
• Take part for two consecutive years and you'll receive recognition signage in the area you've adopted as a thank you!

How does the Community Cleanup program work?

• Sign up for one cleanup session or as many as you'd like.
• Cleanup supplies are available upon request at time of registration.
• Beautify your neighbourhood, playground, park or trail!

Register online at rmwb.ca/cleanup. You can also register via Pulse or at your local municipal rural office.

Join us at the Downtown Community Cleanup on May 1 - and you could win!

Kickstart spring cleaning at Kiyām Park on Wednesday, May 1 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. All participants will be entered to win one of two $100 gift cards to The Alley YMM.

All cleaning supplies will be provided. Pre-registration is not required.

Bring your green thumb to Community Gardening Day

Join members of the Wood Buffalo Communities in Bloom committee for a canoe planter presentation, gardening sessions, and a plant and seed swap on Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Doug Barnes Cabin (190 Tamarack Way).

You can also get a first look at the 2024 flower of the year - the orange marigold - and pick up your own seed pack!

Check out the full event schedule:

10 a.m.	Introductions and Canoe Planter Presentation Presented by RMWB Parks
10:15 a.m.	Evolution of a Garden: Landscaping Tips & Tricks Presented by Linda MacLellan Linda will use examples from the transformation of her own garden to highlight some landscaping principles and inspire your own garden's transformation!
11 a.m.	Climate Aware Gardening: Get Ready to Adapt Presented by Diane Zundel For better or worse, climate change is affecting how we garden. Diane will highlight some of the changes we can expect and some strategies to help overcome these challenges.
11:30 a.m.	Introduction to Forest Bathing Presented by Helen Meyer Experience forest bathing, a practice that encourages mindfulness and connection in nature.
12 p.m.	Plant and Seed Swap

Speaker bios

Linda MacLellan - Evolution of a Garden: Landscaping Tips & Tricks

Linda MacLellan grew up on her parent's farm in Cape Breton where they grew most of their own food. After buying a large property in Thickwood, she was able to unleash her inner gardener! Now she has multiple vegetable and flower gardens, trees and a fish pond, as well as a house full of houseplants to tide over her addiction in the winter.

Linda has recently completed the Prairie Horticulture Program run jointly through the University of Saskatchewan, Olds College and Assiniboine College, specializing in landscape design.

Linda is also a key volunteer with Grow Wood Buffalo.

Diane Zundel - Climate Aware Gardening: Get ready to adapt!

Diane used to reluctantly help her father with the backyard garden as a child but developed her own love of gardening as an adult. Diane grows a few flowers but is mostly interested in growing fruits and vegetables.

Diane has a Permaculture Design Certificate from Verge Permaculture, a Master Gardener Certificate from the University of Saskatchewan and is a member of the Master Gardener Association of Alberta.

Diane spearheaded Grow Wood Buffalo to share horticultural knowledge in Fort McMurray and connect with other local gardeners. She also serves on the Wood Buffalo Communities in Bloom Committee and at the Eden Community Garden.

Helen Meyer - Introduction to Forest Bathing.

Helen Meyer experienced a creative childhood that involved walks in the woods and growing seeds in the garden. This established a relationship to nature she wants everyone to enjoy and experience.

In 2022, Helen became a Certified Forest Therapy Guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy.

Helen took Forest Bathing to a whole new level when she wanted to take a piece of nature home and began to make nature-based soaps. This passion project that has turned into a business, and she has collaborated with organizations in creating scents that evoke courage, confidence, and creativity.

She has been a member of the Wood Buffalo Communities in Bloom Committee since 2019 and is excited to share her passion of using your senses to unwind and reconnect to nature.

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