The gardens at St Bart’s Anglican, Gibsons, celebrated a wedding of sorts on Saturday, June 1. David McIlwraith, SCRD FireSmart coordinator, presided with the church’s Garden Group as the community pledged its intentions to work together with FireSmart in our new, climate-altered world. The festivities got official when McIlwraith, town councillor David Croal and Rev. Joyce gave us all their imprimatur.
The festivities were heralded by banners gifted to the church by Linda Williams, Coast Cultural Alliance. We were all treated to lunch by the SCRD FireSmart program’s donation of hot dogs and french fries, prepared to perfection by the Lion’s Club, and lifted in song by a chorus of BUGS ukulele players. To all of them we are most grateful. Talk about community! And that fire truck really got our attention. Thank you, Rob Michael, Fire Chief of the Gibsons and District Volunteer Fire Department.
We also had a display of lovely shrubs and trees, and a water-saving system from Quality Garden and Pet to show off. Many thanks to Danni of Quality Gardens – the only recognized FireSmart Nursery on the Sunshine Coast, doncha know!
The main point of the day was to give the community FireSmart information on how to make our homes more resilient to the effects of wildfire and to offer in-person sign-up for a home inspection by the FireSmart team. It’s free!
Finally, a big shout-out to the leaders of Scouts Canada, the Hot Lunch program, the St Bart’s Food Bank, and to the Gibsons and District Volunteer Fire Department for their welcome support and participation.
