Friday, June 15, 2012 - It's 8:15 in the morning and I'm repeating the words "Oh no, oh no!" while scrambling to gather the clothes needed for a long day of gardening. Both of my bosses, Eric Reder and Kalyn Murdock, have already been waiting for me on the side of the road for 15 minutes.

I'm late to pick them up for our journey to the community garden in Hollow Water First Nation, traditionally known as the Wanipigow. After arriving a mere 50 minutes late (and narrowly avoiding being punished "wilderness style") we were on the open road, watching farm turn to forest. The provincial government announced its new environment plan halfway through the drive and coincidentally, this was just before we lost cell phone reception.

Is it illegal to drive in reverse on the highway? I hope not, because that's what I did to get back into cell range. Soon enough Eric and Kalyn were connecting and planning with other environmental groups in response to the new plan that is both ambitious and ambiguous. I was struck by the dedication of my employers - they simply do not take a break from conservation.

After finding that the garden had already been started by a few dedicated community members, we worked the day away. It was a tremendous feeling to look back and see the transformation of the garden from all the work we'd done. Leaking blood from blackfly bites and general mishaps (Kalyn had a swimming incident with a submerged log), we returned home encouraged. This garden, and the ambitious people taking care of it, are proof that we can have everything we need without destroying the wild beauty of the Heart of the Boreal.

Let's work together. Write a letter here or contact the office to find out how to get involved

Murray Jowett
Field Manager