The Green Team is bringing communities together and teaching them about the environments says a founder of the organization.
The City of Maple Ridge has a Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan, and climate resilience plan, and Resilient Future 2050, that all speak to the future the city wants to build – stronger social connection, community well-being, environmental stewardship, climate resilience, and meaningful opportunities for residents to participate and thrive.
Community organizations like the Alouette River Management Society (ARMS) and Green Teams of Canada are already helping bring these goals to life, said Green Teams founder Lyda Salatian.
On May 9, the Lower Mainland Green Team partnered with the ARMS to bring 29 community members together at Westview Park to restore habitat along McKenney Creek while strengthening connection, well-being, and environmental stewardship. They removed 13 cubic metres – about 81 bathtubs – of invasive Himalayan blackberry, to revitalize habitat.
But the deeper impact was on people, said Salatian. Green Teams has begun formally measuring the human impact of its activities. While environmental restoration organizations have long measured ecological impacts, impacts like belonging, connection, well-being, learning, and motivation to take environmental action have often remained unmeasured and, consequently, under financially invested in, despite being essential to building resilient communities.
28 out of 29 participants completed a survey at the Westview Park activity. Results showed:
• 100% felt a sense of belonging and connection to others.
• 100% reported improved well-being, with time in nature and meeting new people identified as contributors.
• 93% increased their understanding of environmental issues.
• 89% felt inspired to take future environmental action.
Many participants were engaging in stewardship for the first time. Others were visiting Westview Park for the first time.
“I came here solo, thinking I was going to spend my time with my headphones in and working away on my own, but instead left with two new friends!” said Hunter. “And a true sense of accomplishment and empowerment, knowing my time was spent helping the local ecosystem.”
“This experience was important to me as it showed how small community groups can make a big difference for positive environmental change, said another participant, Shantelle. “I felt connected to my community/peers and proud of what we accomplished.”
Activities like these require skilled coordination, outreach, partnership development, volunteer management, logistics, training, evaluation, and long-term relationship building. Sustaining and growing these impacts requires meaningful and reliable financial investment, said Salatian.
Since 2022, ARMS and Green Teams of Canada have been advocating for a shift toward a fee-for-service partnership model with the City of Maple Ridge.
The Green Team invites the community to join them this Sunday, May 17 from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hoffmann Park in partnership with the City of Pitt Meadows for a hands-on invasive English ivy and Himalayan blackberry removal activity. Sign up online at meetup.com
No experience needed. All ages and abilities are welcome. Tools, gloves, and refreshments provided.