Zoe Mathias's Friends

Zoe Mathias's Page

Zoe Mathias is now a member of Village Vancouver

Jan 3

Welcome Them!

In which Vancouver neighbourhood or other community do you live?: Grandview-Woodland

Please tell us which areas of Transition interest you. For example: growing more food/urban agriculture, relocalizing our economy/local currency, Permaculture, transit, energy efficient buildings, the arts, urban homesteading, preserving seed diversity, placemaking, potlucks, outreach, organizing events, community-building, having fun while saving the world, or...: I am passionate about self-sustainability on the national scale. I believe that importing food from around the world is so incredibly unnecessary and is a major negative factor in the ever increasing instability of our climate. I always try to abide by the 100 mile diet, though as a low-income vegetarian student I have found it quite difficult. This is why I also believe in self-sustainability on a smaller scale, like growing food on your patio or in your community garden as a cheaper, more enjoyable alternative. I don't have any experience in starting my own garden, but have helped with my parents' small backyard plots once before. I am inspired by the "Young Agrarians" movement, and aspire someday to work in a greenhouse or on a farm as my dream job. Aquaponics is also a project that I have helped start up at Capilano University to begin in January. I have some experience in event planning as I curated the Change Pilotz 2015 Social Justice Camp last year. What I am seeking here with Village Vancouver is an opportunity to get my hands dirty in some great soil while working alongside great people. :-)

There's a saying that "Transition is not a spectator sport". It's true! Village Vancouver runs on people power, and engaging in activities and projects together helps us accomplish more. Which groups, networks, neighbourhood villages, or projects do you think you might be interested in getting involved with? And what knowledge, skills, resources or other assets can you bring to the mix? (Don't be bashful!): My neighborhood is currently Commercial Drive, but I just moved from the Hastings Sunrise community so I know both areas quite well. I have never had a community garden plot, but I would love to help build one because I think the waitlists are way too long. I have basic gardening knowledge (very basic) but understand the importance of soil structure and composition, and plant biology. I have also taken an Environmental Biology course so I understand basic cycles in the environment. I have so much passion for gardening right now (I think about it everyday) and I just really want to learn!! So I guess what I'm saying is that while I don't have too much experience under my belt, I can offer myself as a fresh canvas to fully absorb new skills and hopefully stay with Village Vancouver to share those skills with newcomers someday.

What would you like to see improved in Vancouver or in your community regarding sustainability or resiliency? Do you have an idea for a new Transition project or activity?: I would love to see much more unused land turned into community gardening space! It bothers me so much seeing residential lawns (especially suburban) sitting idle with the greenest fertilized grass -- when they could be used for harvesting a boatload of veggies each year. I would also love to see rooftop gardening become a thing in my lifetime. I think there is so much solar capacity and unused space in the West End that if they fully invested in a gardening system they could totally stop importing veggies from California, Mexico, and other drought-ridden countries. Also, if Vancouver made tax-levies or vetoes for those who used their front lawns/backyards for vegetable growing that would make me very happy. :)

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