​​ABOUT JEN FALVY
My interest in gardening stems from an appreciation of the natural environment and is inspired by the diversity of the Muskoka landscape. A land of rocky outcrops, moss and lichen, mixed forests, swamps, and lakes - Muskoka has captured the imagination of many and is a place I've called home since childhood.
It is only more recently that my interest has broadened to include gardening. For years I viewed gardening and nature as opposites, though the rising awareness of pollinator gardens has shed light on the unique relationship between plants and animals and how their connection, one based on a symbiotic relationship benefiting both, can enable gardening to be an incredible tool and ally in advocating for nature.
The vision with Nature Gardens is to inspire others through writing and photography to embrace nature and to see that with each plot of land, no matter how small, there is an opportunity to connect with nature and in doing so, not only are we grounding ourselves, but we are making a difference in the lives of each living thing we share the land with.
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Nature Gardens is dedicated to building on this connection by also offering gardening services and programs designed to inspire others to celebrate the wonders of the natural world just outside the door.​
The content on this site is based on my own observations and research. In addition to continuing to study the flora and fauna of Muskoka region, and reading and research in entomology, additional learning in the past few years has included the following:​
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Ontario Master Naturalist Program
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Stewardship Certificate with Pollinator Partnership of Canada
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Toronto Botanical Gardens Garden Design​​​​​​​​
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Being a Voice for Nature
Advocating for nature can take on many different forms. When I was younger, I was fairly active environmentally and in my late 20's I worked in fundraising for various non-profits. It was the time of door-to-door canvassing and that meant 'boots on the ground', knocking at the doors of strangers. It was a daunting task but the primary strategy utilized by conservation organizations at the time; I worked for Pollution Probe and Earthroots, two remarkable grassroots organizations still active today.
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In recent years being a voice for nature has taken shape in a myriad of ways, some more creative than others though always with the same goal in mind; to introduce ways that draw attention to the intrinsic value of connecting with nature, for not only does it benefit the living things we share the land with, but it benefits our own well-being as well - to be connected to nature is part of our human nature - and conversely, the more disconnected we are, the more we become strangers to ourselves.
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Included here are a few recent community initiatives. In addition to Nature Gardens, I whole-heartedly believe in the value of working in the community to foster a deeper connection to nature.
Connecting with the community
Interactive programs are a great way to introduce the public to nature-friendly gardening practices.
In this hands-on demo we are making seed-bombs inspired by the Japanese no-till method using natural clay from the land.
Forest Ontario Heritage Tree in Muskoka
In 2018 I nominated this iconic red maple of Port Sydney to be recognized as a heritage tree with Forests Ontario. When a tree is special, in addition to being an iconic feature in the landscape, it becomes part of the community, so it seemed appropriate to have this tree of Indian Landing honoured for the beloved role is has had in the community for so many generations. The nomination was accepted and this beautiful Red Maple, aptly named The Family Tree was accepted by Forest Ontario's Heritage Tree program. Red Maple #HT-2017-217-234 has been added to their database as a tree of significance. The Heritage Tree Program (2009-2023) collects and tells stories of Ontario’s unique trees as a way to bring awareness to the social, cultural, historical and ecological value of trees. On Earth Day of April 2018, the plaque was unveiled with members of the community to honour this proud tree as a wise elder, loved by many.
Community Engagement in the Guild
Advocating for nature can feel never-ending at times, and it is often met with hurdles and barriers but there is definitely a sense of satisfaction when seeing a difference has been made and when efforts are acknowledged. In September 2017, myself along with a few other community members received recognition from the Office of Honourable John McKay MP for the work done in the Guildwood. The work began early in 2016 when we first learned that a fairly substantial segment of a sand beach was being threatened by shoreline hardened. We did all we could to raise awareness in the community to see that this 3 km natural shoreline be protected. I began a range of community awareness initiatives along with a handful of others - each of us doing our part and our small team worked together for the next couple of years dedicating countless hours to the cause we were passionate about. The beach is along the eastern end of the Scarborough Bluffs and is one of the longest remaining natural shorelines in the Toronto area. Our efforts were effective, for now but the threat is still there with the relentless push towards altering shorelines. In addition to substantial research on the area, I led nature walks and creating a series of videos to draw attention to our concerns. The pictures here are from one of the walking tours I led, this one with a record 80 participants in attendance.
To learn more about the Toronto Shoreline and our effort to have the beach preserved for future generations
