golden gardens
the United Nations declared 1999 the International Year of Older Persons (IYOP). To celebrate, the Canadian Wildlife Federation introduced a wildlife gardening program for people aged 55 and up. Golden Gardens encourages seniors' groups to create and conserve wildlife habitat and provides project guidelines and some funding, for seniors' groups in Canada, to do so.

A key component of the program is a 24-page booklet with 16 planting and building projects that provide wildlife with their four basic needs: food, water, shelter, and space. Projects include a wildflower garden, a backyard pond, and a nesting box, among others.

Golden Gardens is as relevant to beginning gardeners as it is to seasoned naturalists. It's as applicable to balconies as it is to acres of land. It doesn't matter if physical abilities restrict some participants to filling the occasional pot. The point is that these individuals will contribute and will probably feel healthier and happier for their involvement.

CWF encourages group activity and will financially support eligible group projects in Canada to address such obstacles as limited ability, lack of space, and insufficient funds. Groups can receive up to $100. Larger projects are eligible for up to $500, provided the groups can raise comparable amounts within their communities.

Participants should look within their communities for planting locations - places like schools, hospitals, community centres, and empty government-owned lots. (Of course, permission must be sought from landowners before projects begin.) Apartment dwellers may also be permitted to plant on building grounds. Moreover, the booklet includes projects for patios and balconies for those apartment dwellers who choose to do projects on their own.

We hope Golden Gardens will create a legacy, both symbolically and literally, by bringing together seniors and other community members, especially young people. The symbolic legacy will involve the young learning from their elders' wisdom and carrying that knowledge into adulthood. The literal legacy will be found in the shrubs, meadows, or wildlife that benefit from Golden Garden projects.

The first year of the Golden Gardens program was a blooming success. Launched in April 1999, by the end of the year we had received almost 500 project applications from across the country. We were amazed by participants' enthusiasm and hard work. The success of Golden Gardens convinced us to continue the program.

So, if you're 55 plus and you've always wanted to contribute to wildlife conservation in Canada now is your chance. You can do your part to help Canada's wildlife while creating a legacy for future generations.

download golden gardens booklet | registration funding | golden gardens checklist

download golden gardens booklet
To download the Golden Gardens booklet directly from CWF, click here (PDF format, large file, 5.6 MB).

To order your Golden Gardens booklet or for more information contact CWF at info@cwf-fcf.org

registration and funding
Although we can only fund organized group projects in Canada, we would like to consider all Golden Gardens projects when we choose ones to feature on this Web site and in our magazines Canadian Wildlife and Biosphère. So please register your project, whether or not you are applying for funds.

Organized seniors' groups in Canada can apply for up to $100 to be used for their Golden Gardens project. Groups that raise a comparable amount within their communities can apply for up to $500 for larger projects. Items eligible for funding include seeds, plants, trees, soil, lumber, and hardware. Funds are not available for decorative garden supplies (e.g., benches and gazebos), labour, pesticides, fertilizers, bird seed, clothing, or hand tools (e.g., rakes, hoes, and shovels). Eligible projects are those that create habitat for wildlife as opposed to simply beautifying an area.

As this program was created in celebration of International Year of Older Persons, we must have a clear idea of how seniors will be involved in the project in order to approve funding. The idea is that there all aspects of the project involve senior initiative and that seniors would be doing the planting with help from other groups as needed or desired. (Note that for the purposes of this program, seniors are defined as being of age 55 years and up.)

Vegetable gardens are not eligible for funding. Wildlife gardening involves providing wild species with their four basic needs - food, water, shelter, and space. In other words, it aims to attract wild species of all sorts. Attracting wildlife is not the objective when planting vegetable gardens. In fact, vegetable gardeners generally try to keep wildlife out of their vegetables.

Individuals can register their Golden Gardens project but are not eligible for funding. As valuable as these projects are to the participants themselves and to the environment, they do not address the old-style community spirit which the funding aspect of the program seeks to address.

Before you fill out your application form, be sure to consult the Golden Gardens Checklist to ensure you consider all the important variables in creating a garden truly welcoming to wildlife. Having a good plan, which meets both your needs and those of the wildlife you wish to attract, will allow you to create a truly Golden Garden.

Applications can be submitted by mailing, or faxing, the completed and signed application form to the address given on the form. Electronically submitted application forms will not be accepted.

Click here to download application form.

For more information contact CWF at info@cwf-fcf.org

golden gardens checklist
Good forethought and planning will ensure that your garden meets both your needs and that of the wildlife you wish to attract. You therefore need to start with a thorough plan. Check to make sure your plan considers the following:

Space - items will be placed to allow you to enjoy the wildlife you attract while at the same time providing maximum benefit and use for wildlife

Shelter - in the form of trees, shrubs, brush piles, or nest boxes, etc.

Food - the plants you have chosen will provide a food source for the wildlife you wish to attract

Water - will be available through a birdbath, pond, or other source

Native species or naturalized plants - will be used chosen on the basis of what type of wildlife you would like to attract. Make sure you have checked that they are not considered noxious in your community.

Upkeep - you have considered the need for upkeep of your wildlife garden and arranged for help if needed

Environmentally friendly gardening - you will be using non-toxic alternatives to chemical pesticides as much as possible

This list is just a reminder of the things to keep in mind when planning your garden. Refer to your Golden Gardens book for more details on these and other important points.

We hope you will enjoy the planning and creation of your wildlife garden and that you will continue to enjoy your garden and the wildlife it attracts for many years to come

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