›› Mark C. Dickerson
GardenWorks is always looking for ways to improve our relationship with the environment; one such way is the Giving Tree.
In 2010, I had heard about a program a tree farm in Portland was offering. They only sold live Christmas trees that they delivered to people’s homes. After Christmas, they picked up the trees and donated them to local organizations. I thought it was brilliant and wanted to offer something similar to the people of Victoria. My manager and I discussed the idea, and on that day the Giving Tree program was born.
I think the environmental aspect of the Giving Tree is the most important, and for that reason we offer a native Douglas fir. The success of this program in the past has been in part due to the people that live in neighbourhoods like Fernwood, Farifield, and Vic West. The program is the perfect fit for people who are environmentally conscience and have small lots. This year, GardenWorks Saanich has 65 trees for the program, and I expect (again) the majority will go to people that are environmentally conscience with no place to plant a live tree.
We are happy to be able to offer the trees this year to Saanich & Esquimalt’s Urban Forestry strategies.
For more info about the Giving Tree, call 250-721-2140, email mdickerson@gardenworks.ca, or stop by GardenWorks Saanich at 4290 Blenkinsop Road.
