Land Connections

Central Gardens

Go Wild in the City

Once known as Central Ave, this triangle-shaped green space is a sanctuary in the heart of our city. EcoSuperior's Central Natural Environment Gardens models organic gardening techniques that demonstrate pesticide-free approaches to horticulture and landscaping through the use of native plant species.

Each spring, the gardens come alive with wildlife! From butterflies and grasshoppers to red squirrels, songbirds, and even white-tailed deer; our green space is home for them all. Centred with a covered pavilion, our garden is a great place to meet with friends for a picnic, host a small gathering on a sunny day, or even practice your photography skills.

Central Gardens Features

  • Post and Beam Picnic Shelter
  • Garden Shed with Living Roof
  • Human Sundial
  • Wildflower Garden
  • Meadows, Woodlands, Wetland, Bird & Butterfly Gardens
  • Big Boreal Adventure Site
  • Certified Monarch Way Station
  • & more.
    Come and check it out, we'd love for you to be a part of this one-of-a-kind environment. Click here for directions.

     

    Re-Wilding For Wellness Forest Therapy

    celebrate nature, trees with blue sky

    EcoSuperior is proud to now be offering guided Forest Therapy Walks to Thunder Bay.

     Forest Therapy; also known as Forest Bathing and Shinrin-Yoku, is an evidence-based therapeutic practice that connects people to forest environments through gentle, sensory-based invitations. This practice typically runs for 2-4 hours and consists of a series of invitations following a standard flow model, which takes place in a forest, or another healing natural environments. Forest Therapy can be seen as a gateway practice into ‘re-wilding' ourselves- nourishing us back to remembering our connection with the living landscape.

    Proven Benefits

    • Reduces stress by lowering blood pressure, pulse rate, and cortisol levels
    • Improves mood
    • Boosts immunity,
    • Improves concentration,
    • Improves sleep,
    • Increases self-esteem,
    • Returns us to a sense of belonging.

    Book Now

    Interested in booking a guided session for you, your colleagues, students, friends, or family with one of our certified guides? We invite you to experience the benefits of this healing practice and immerse yourself in the sentience of the living forest, during a guided walk with sensory-based invitations to deepen your connections, year-round. Please contact one of our certified guides below to schedule a consultation. 

     

    Certified Guides

    Erin Moir (booking contact)

    erin@ecosuperior.org
    807 624 2143

     

    “This affinity for the natural world is fundamental to our health.” (Dr. Qing Li).

     

    hanging out in nature

    forest floor

    guided nature collection activity

     

    Thank you to our funder otfhorizcolour

    13 Giizis To Nourish Lake Superior

    The Lake Superior Lakewide Action and Management Plan (LAMP) aims to restore and maintain the physical, biological and chemical integrity of the water quality of the Lake Superior ecosystem.

    EcoSuperior works to support the objectives in this plan.

    You can help too by drawing on the guidance of the Anishinaabe Peoples in this region. EcoSuperior worked to align Anishinaabe teachings of the 13 moons with LAMP objectives and priorities to invite you to protect and nourish Lake Superior every day.

    Have this program presented in your class or community group! Contact Erin at erin@ecosuperior.org. 

    Click here to enter the 13 Giizis page!

    13 Giizis cycle

    Invasive Species

    Invasive Species in Thunder Bay

    A species is considered invasive when it is not part of the local ecosystem.  In the Lake Superior and Thunder Bay region, there are a several important invasive species to note when gardening, recreating, travelling, and participating in recreational activities, including:

     

    2

    Aquatic Invasive Species

    Round Goby

    Sea Lamprey

    1

    Terrestrial Invasive Species

    Himalayan Balsam

    Garlic Mustard

    Japanese Knotweed

    Emerald Ash Borer

     

    Significance

    Invasive species can be extremely problematic to ecosystems, and can affect you too! They can take over habitat, out-compete for food, reproduce rapidly, and completely interrupt food chains. Hundreds of invasive species have infiltrated our lakes, rivers, and forests- causing irreparable damage to fragile habitats and ecosystems.

    Ways to Help

    There are many things that you can do from home to take action and help control the spread of invasive species in the Thunder Bay Region.

    1. Manage Invasive Species on your Property
    2. Only purchase bait from local vendors
    3. Only burn firewood from your district or the district you are visiting
    4. Clean your gear & pets
    5. Garden responsibly
    6. Dispose of invaders properly
    7. Report sightings to the Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters Invading Species Hotline toll-free: 1-800-563-7711, or online at EDDMapS Ontario
    8. Report any illegal activity involving invasive species to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry toll-free at 1-877-847-7667


    How They Travel

    There are several ways invasive species travel, including:

    • Bike, quad and recreational vehicle tires
    • Hiking boots and seeds stuck to socks
    • Boat motors and live wells
    • Pets
    • Firewood
    • Non-native plant transfers
    • Live bait dumping

    … the list goes on.

    For the most up to date information on Invasive Species in Ontario, please visit: