Training
We believe in building capacity in people and communities through the work that we undertake. Working with our clients and partners, we create specialized training events and/or workshops that help achieve long term social and environmental goals.
Indigenous Awareness Training
SpruceLab has much gratitude for the opportunity to support the creation and delivery of Indigenous awareness training sessions by Gary Pritchard, Ginew (Golden Eagle). Gary is a member of Curve Lake First Nation, and Principal / Owner of 4 Directions of Conservation. Sessions included the not-for-profits LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests), and Urban Minds.
Gary is an often requested speaker and advisor on issues related to working with Indigenous Peoples, especially as they relate to ecology and conservation of lands and waters (see Canadian Environmental Law Association six part webinar series here (1-3) here (4-6)). An engagement specialist, Gary is also a biologist and ecologist , and he generously shares his extensive Knowledge and engaging teaching approach with youth and others.
First Nations Food Forest Workshops, SK
Following up on our involvement with the creation of food forests in Claremont, ON and Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, SpruceLab was asked by Sage Sustainable Solutions Consulting to develop and deliver a Food Forest Workshop series for Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation in southern Saskatchewan. Two sessions were created and filmed, and made available online to the participants to watch at their leisure. Following this work, we were engaged to also advise Kawacatoose First Nation on their exciting plans for a food forest, adjacent to community gardens. (Note: This project began in 2019, when Indigenous Services Canada asked Sheila to plan and host a Green Infrastructure Workshop with Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation. She invited Ryerson Urban Water to collaborate, see more information here.)
GreenForceTO Green Roof Workshop
SpruceLab was engaged by RAINscapeTO to create and deliver an introductory workshop on green roofs, and their importance to climate resilience. The half day event began with an interactive presentation at the Centre for Social Innovation, and was followed by a guided tour of Ryerson Urban Farm’s productive and successful green roof (and research space) at Ryerson University (renaming underway). This training session was part of the GreenForceTO green infrastructure training program of the City of Toronto, which builds on the Green Streets work that Sheila co-led while working at the City of Toronto. See recent article from the Centre for Social Innovation about this program here.
Educating & Thought Leadership
We believe in sharing what we have learned, and are learning, with others. This can be through teaching at academic institutions, mentoring youth and emerging professionals, or ongoing participation in academic or community-led research. We understand that in this way we can contribute to the advancement of knowledge, while promoting the core values that underlie our work at SpruceLab Inc. (See Bios for more information).
Teaching
A Fall 2022 interdisciplinary course created and taught by Sheila called ‘Green/Natural Infrastructure’, is planned for The Chang School of Continuing Education. This course builds on the undergraduate and graduate courses she developed and taught to Urban and Regional Planning students (and allied professions) from 2017 - 2020. Ryerson University (renaming is underway).
International Landscape Collaborative
Collaborator on the planning of the International Landscape Collective May 2022 Toronto Summit Bridging Scales and Disciplines: An Ecological Approach to City-Building. Led by Harvard University Graduate School of Design graduates, with Ryerson University (renaming underway), University of Toronto, and University of Guelph. Sheila is a co-applicant on the successful federal Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Connection Grant received for this work.
Teaching
Elective and design studio courses taught to University of Toronto Masters of Landscape Architecture students, on the subject of relationship to plant beings, Indigenous awareness, and green infrastructure. (2017 - 2020).