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Middlesex Centre Pollinator Team
  • Welcome
  • Seeds
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The Middlesex Centre Pollinator Team and Ethan's Garden present:
​

CELEBRATE NATURE


SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2023​  | 10 AM - 4 PM
​Komoka Community Centre - 133 Queen Street, Komoka, Ontario - Treaty 21 territory
Join us for a fun day to gather with friends, family and community to celebrate and learn about with nature! Bring home some native plants and seeds, and other goodies.
FREE ENTRY
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Get to Know Native Plants

Learn about plant-pollinator relationships and how to support this at home. Check out our Native Nursery Showcase and other plant exhibitors!
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Listen & Learn

Tune in to three expert speakers explore different nature themes and discuss what you can do at home and in the community to connect with and support nature.
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Chat & Shop

Meet some local organizations to learn about some amazing projects protecting wildlife and the environment. Shop some local vendors for their nature-related products!
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Play

Roll up your sleeves for some workshops, a scavenger hunt, a tour of Ethan's Garden and other fun activities!

Opening Ceremony by:
Warrior Womyn of Positive Drum

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We are honoured that Warrior Womyn of Positive Drum will open our event with ceremonial smudging, drumming and song.

They are a collaborative group from different Nations, paths and ages. Warrior Womyn were brought together through a mutual desire to sing and drum in their traditional ways and to share song of healing with all.
Left to right:
Mina Antone from Oneida Nation of the Thames, wolf clan;
Nikki Peters from Muncey Delaware Nation, proud drummer of 5 years with other drum sisters of the Warrior Womyn;
Diane Simpson from Oneida Nation of the Thames, turtle clan, proud mom, grandma and great grandma, language learner for the last 5-6 years, drummer with the group for 5 years; and
Leona Antone from Oneida Nation of the Thames, wolf clan.

It’s good for you to pray into the water because it actually intensifies your prayer. So literally, you know that water evaporates and can travel through the clouds. Your intentions and your words travel through the clouds and they can go anywhere they want to go.

Pat McCabe * Woman Stands Shining

Keynote Speakers

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​The Importance of Native Trees, Forests and Nature

with

Larry Cornelis

Larry is a retired conservationist, horticulturist and a naturalist. He is passionate about all things nature. He has received many awards from naturalist and conservation groups including local clubs, Ontario Nature, Carolinian Canada, and the Ministry of Natural Resources. Larry has recently moved to the family farm (Honeylocust Homestead) near Wallaceburg, Ontario on the Sydenham River with his family, where they are engaging in regenerative agriculture.
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Creating Native Plant Pollinator Habitats in Your Yard

with

Rick Gray

Rick has been gardening with native plants for over 15 years and has over 300 species in his backyard in southwestern Ontario. His garden has been part of several organized garden tours in recent years. Rick is very active on a number of native plant gardening Facebook groups and regularly posts articles about native plants on his website nativeplantgardener.ca.
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The Impact of Non-Native Species and the Nature Conservancy's Work

with

Nicholas Armstrong

Growing up on a farm outside of London, Ontario, and spending much of his time outdoors, Nicholas gained a deep appreciation for the land and its resources. He completed the Fish & Wildlife Conservation Technician program at Sault College and the honour’s Bachelor of Environmental Management Program at Lakehead University. He has worked with Nature Conservancy Canada since 2019, and is currently an Assistant Conservation Biologist in Norfolk County.

Native Nursery Showcase

We will be showcasing a special selection of plants from these Southwestern Ontario native plant nurseries. Learn about the plants and the work of these nurseries. Plants will be available for purchase (at cost) - bring home one or a few!
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Bee Sweet Nature Company

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Golden Alexanders

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Heavenly Earth Native/ Carolinian Tree and Shrub Nursery

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Little Otter Tree Farm

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Native Plant Source

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Ontario Native Plants

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Origin Native Plants

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Prairie Song Nursery and Restoration

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Seedbox Wild Plant Studio

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Thedford Native Plants

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”
Rachel Carson

Activities

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Ethan's Garden Tour

Take a tour of Ethan's Garden. This is native pollinator habitat garden created in 2020 in memory of Ethan Fonseca and other loved ones in the community. The garden is outdoors so please dress for the weather.
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Nature Quest

Get curious about nature with our Nature Quest scavenger hunt! Dress for the weather as this will be an outdoor activity.
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Activity Stations

  • Pollinator colouring and activity sheets;
  • Native seed planting in take-home pots;
  • Garden rock painting;
  • ​Guessing game: guess the number of native plant seeds in a jar (for a prize)
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Workshops & Demos

Learn how to start your native plant seeds in the winter time with the Winter Sowing Method.

Other workshops and demos will be added. Feel free to email us with your requests and suggestions at pollinatorteam@mail.com.
“Time spent amongst trees is never wasted time.”
Katrina Mayer

Exhibitors

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Bird Friendly London

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London Environmental Network

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Sweetwater Native Plants

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Craig's Custom Creations

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London Middlesex Master Gardeners

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Thames Talbot Land Trust

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Ethan's Garden

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Middlesex Centre Pollinator Team

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Try Recyling

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Great Veggie Bites

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Nature Conservancy Canada

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Turtle Watch - Middlesex Centre

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Inspire Flora Art

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Nature London

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Upper Thames River Conservation Authority

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Jayme Cannon, Herbalist

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St. Clair Region Conservation Authority

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Exhibitor

To inquire about exhibiting, please fill out the application form by clicking the button below:
Application Form
“Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond.”
Robin Wall Kimmerer
Event Location:
 
The Komoka Community Centre
133 Queen Street, Komoka, Ontario, Canada

FAQs

When is the event?
Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 10am to 4pm.

Where is the event?
The Komoka Community Centre and Ethan's Garden at 133 Queen Street in Komoka, Ontario, N0L 1R0, Canada).


How can I get there? 
Some transportation options include: walking, jogging, power-chairing, scootering, rollerblading/skating, carpooling, driving.

Is there parking? 
Yes, there is plenty of free parking available in the community centre parking lot.

How much does it cost to attend?
This event is FREE to attend.

Will there be food? 
Our event food vendor, Great Veggie Bites, will be selling delicious vegan food at the event. Unfortunately, gluten-free and nut-free options will not be available.

Will I be able to buy anything?
Yes, the plants in the nursery showcase will be available for cash purchase. Many of our exhibitors will have products for sale as well. Please bring cash. There is no ATM on-site. The nearest bank and ATM is BMO, located at 9952 Glendon Drive, Komoka, N0L1R0 - 1.8 km away (2 minutes by car).

What are your public health rules?
If you are sick, please stay home. You are welcome to wear a mask at your personal discretion. Part of the event will be indoors (talks, exhibitors and workshops) and part of it will be outdoors (Ethan's Garden tour, Native Nursery Showcase, scavenger hunt).
​

We look forward to seeing you there!
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The Middlesex Pollinator Team

Website ~  Facebook ~ Instagram
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Ethan's Garden

Facebook 
Middlesex Pollinator Team logo with a digital graphic of a Monarch butterfly, blue sky, white cloud and green landscape.
We are settlers on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak  and Attawandaron Peoples, Treaty 21 territory, currently known as Middlesex Centre, Ontario, Canada. The First Nations people, Innuit and Métis have stewarded these lands and waters since time immemorial. They continue to do so today, facing generations of violent assimilation and erasure. To reconcile our relationship and restore harmony, we acknowledge the harms caused by colonialism and commit to listen to, honour, and integrate Indigenous wisdom, history and values into our pollinator habitat work.

The ​Middlesex Centre Pollinator Team 
pollinatorteam@mail.com
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