Campus Biodiversity

Land-Based Learning Project: Kahnikonri:io Garden and Microforest

French:              Jardin et Microforêt Bon esprit
Mohawk:           Kahnikonri:io  
Inuit:                   ᓯᓚᑐᓂᖅ 
Cree:                   ᒥᔪᒥᑐᓈᔨᐦᑎᒧᐧᐃᓐ 
English:             Of Good Mind Garden and Microforest 

John Abbott College’s Land-Based Learning project is designed to raise awareness and educate our community about the importance of natural ecosystems and the various approaches to re-define our connection with nature in order to address the climate and biodiversity crises. This project is an example of “two-eyed seeing”, which is accomplished by braiding Indigenous ways of knowing and western science perspectives. The project consists of a First People’s Garden named Kahnikonri:io (of good mind) and a Microforest, joined together harmoniously.  

The Kahnikonri:io garden is made up of a fire pit and a circular seating area. Plants and symbols that belong to the Nations who are a major part of our campus community – First Nations, Inuit, and Metis – have been incorporated into that area. The native plants included in the garden include bushes, perennials, and plants that are traditionally used by local Indigenous communities (in particular, the Mohawk People) as food or for medicinal purposes. The garden provides an area for land-based teaching about the cycle of plant life and traditional plants used by Indigenous communities. Building on Indigenous Knowledge, community members can learn how these plants help the soil, insects, and birds, and how we are all connected to and rely on nature. It is used for our Indigenous community to host ceremonies and events. 

The Microforest consists of 600 small trees and shrubs that belong to 14 different native species. It is a small, densely planted area. Most Microforests follow the Miyawaki Forest method of planting. Named for the botanist who developed it, this method encourages tree communities to grow upward very quickly and to share resources, while the dense, multi-storied structure maximizes biomass and dissuades human interference. It provides ecological benefits, such as carbon (greenhouse gas) sequestration, biodiversity enhancement, air quality improvement, temperature regulation, water retention and enhanced soil health. The biodiversity of the project and the amount of greenhouse gases that it captures will be monitored annually by students enrolled in a Science Integrated Activity course. 

In combining these two spaces, the Land-Based Learning project is a space where biodiversity, well-being and culture can thrive on our campus. It is a dynamic educational tool that can help to connect us to nature, build community and improve our mental health.  

If you would like to learn more or become involved, contact: sustainability@johnabbott.qc.ca 

* Please note that the fire pit is intended for ceremonial purposes only and must be used with a permit from the city of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. 

Habitats for Ground Nesting Bees

This joint project with McGill’s MacDonald campus saw the installation of three native bee habitats, completed with support from WWF Canada and McGill’s Sustainability Projects Fund. Native bees nest in the ground, in dead wood and in old plant stems. Most are solitary species, with one mother bee making a nest for her brood. Bumble bees make small colonies. Our nests at John Abbott are 3 x 3 ft boxes where the soil has been mixed with sand to provide adequate drainage. Native or pollinator friendly plants have been planted in a border around the square in order to provide pollen and nectar for the bees. Dried logs with small holes drilled in them are placed around the squares to provide additional habitats.

Pollinature “Bee Hotel”

Unlike the domesticated honeybee, most native bee species need access to bare ground or holes in wood to make their nests. Designed by entomologists from Pollinature, this bee habitat is customized to the species in our region. It is located near our pollinator garden. Pollinature is a non-profit organisation focused on pollinator research and conservation.

Bee Campus

John Abbott College has been a member of Bee City Canada since 2024, when we joined schools across the country in becoming a Bee Campus. A Bee Campus is a college, university or institution for higher education that is committed to helping pollinators. As a Bee Campus we:

• Begins conversations about how to reduce and eliminate chemicals that are harmful to pollinators.
• Raise awareness of pollinator diversity and the benefits of using native plants in habitat restoration.
• Set an example and inspire students with the knowledge that they all have a role to play.
• Select pollinator friendly plants including native flowers, trees, shrubs, vines, forbs and grasses.

For more information: https://beecitycanada.org/bee-campuses/

Pollinator Garden

Planted in Spring 2022, the pollinator garden is a project spearheaded by students, with support from WWF Canada. Native, pollinator friendly species were planted in order to attract and sustain bees, moths and birds.

Re-wilding Area

An initiative from our Visual Arts department, this project was created when a corner patch of lawn between our Casgrain and Penfield buildings were left unmown during the pandemic. The forgotten patch turned in to a haven for flora and fauna, and the “wild area” was born. Now left intentionally unmown, the area is a space for the campus community to observe and learn about how plants grow without human intervention.

Campus Biodiversity Project

Spearheaded by Vanier College, the Campus Biodiversity Network aims to promote campus greenspace observation and protection. John Abbott is one of 11 colleges participating in this joint project. Using iNaturalist, students, staff, and faculty at educational institutions in Montreal and beyond are encouraged to champion their institutions’ greenspaces and connect with others through citizen-science observation. Click here for more information about the Campus Biodiversity Network project.

Birdfeeder

Four bird feeders were installed in late 2022 as part of an ECQ grant titled “Campus Biodiversity Network: Nature Walk as a Pedagogical Tool.” The project is a collaboration being led by Vanier College and includes John Abbott College, as well as Champlain College’s two campuses.

The goal of the project is to create a walking trail that highlights the biodiversity found on campus. The John Abbott trail will have 15 sites to visit, including the bird feeder station, and QR codes will guide participants through some of the species that are regularly seen at that specific location. Participants will also be encouraged to record their sightings using iNaturalist, a social network of naturalists, citizen scientists, and biologists built on the concept of mapping and sharing observations of biodiversity across the globe. Students will also be invited to participate in Project FeederWatch, which is run by Birds Canada throughout winter and spring.

Out of interest, the first species to visit the bird feeders was a Black-capped Chickadee, closely followed by an American Goldfinch.