A Voice in the Wilderness Archive
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2024
2024
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October
Fermenting veggies for storage
Read MoreFermentation is one of the oldest methods of food preservation, and it does not require a lot of equipment. By not using heat during processing, fermentation extends the life of vegetables, and fermented foods continue to evolve over time. Shawnigan’s Environmental Lead and Horticulturist, Patricia Hanbidge, details some of the benefits of fermentation, and how to make sure your fermented vegetables last. -
Processing Fruits and Vegetables
Read MoreOne dilemma that gardeners face in the fall is how to make the year’s harvest last into the winter – or even year round, if the bounty is large enough. Here, Shawnigan’s Environmental Lead and Horticulturalist, Patricia Hanbidge, covers some popular ways to process fruits and vegetables to extend their shelf lives. -
September
Storing tender or summer bulbs
Read MoreWith temperatures dropping in autumn, it is time for gardeners to take care of their flowering bulbs. In this post, Shawnigan Environmental Lead and Horticulturalist Ms. Patricia Hanbidge has some important guidelines to follow to keep bulbs healthy for future growing seasons. -
Harvesting and Storage
Read MoreFall is harvest time for gardeners of all types, and for many, it is time to put fruits and vegetables away for eating in the future. Here are some valuable tips from Shawnigan’s Environmental Lead and Horticulturalist, Patricia Hanbidge, about some things to consider that will help extend the shelf life of produce. -
May
Earth Week at Shawnigan
Read MoreEach year, the Sustainability Council organizes a full slate of events over the week after Earth Day, to help reinforce the importance of everything from recycling to conservation. This year, Grade 12 student Bea Hoerle headed up the efforts of the Sustainability Council to mark Earth Week on campus. -
April
Why do we celebrate Earth Day?
Read MoreEarth Day is celebrated around the world on April 22, and in many places, it has expanded into a full week of events designed to get people thinking about ecology and the future of the planet. Shawnigan’s Environmental Lead and Horticulturalist, Patricia Hanbidge, explains the history of Earth Day and why it is important to keep the lessons of Earth Day in our minds all year round. -
The Journey of a Drop of Water
Read MoreEnvironmental lead and horticulturalist Patricia Hanbidge has created a unique program at Shawnigan designed to get students thinking about water on the School campus in its many functions – potable water, irrigation, wastewater – and how that relates to the issue of climate change. As the program launches, Ms. Hanbidge explains the motivation behind this program and what she hopes to accomplish. -
March
What is so amazing about the amaryllis?
Read MoreBeautiful, eye-catching and diverse, the amaryllis is endemic to several tropical areas, but it is possible to grow them elsewhere under the right conditions, and once they’ve been successfully cultivated once, it is easy to get them to bloom again for years. Shawnigan’s environmental lead and horticulturalist Patricia Hanbidge gives some background on the amaryllis and details how you can cultivate your own at home. -
February
How to grow herbs indoors in winter
Read MoreGrowing herbs indoors is one way to keep the winter blues away and provide yourself with delicious herbs for cooking, and it doesn’t have to be difficult. Shawnigan’s Environmental Lead and Horticulturalist, Patricia Hanbidge, shares some tips for growing your own herbs even when it is cold and dark outside, from which herbs can be grown from seed and which ones grow better from cuttings to the best soil and light options for your new project. -
January
What is permaculture?
Read MorePermaculture is an effort to use the patterns we can see in nature to create sustainable and self-sufficient agricultural systems. In this blog post, Shawnigan’s Environmental Lead and Horticulturalist, Patricia Hanbidge, explains the guidelines behind the philosophy of permaculture. -
Cut & Dried? Thoughts about woodworking and nature
Read MoreHow do we balance the use of our crucial natural resources with the benefits they provide to students? Head of Fine Arts and woodworking teacher Mr. Declan Bartlett gives some thought to both sides. -
How can owls be a sustainable solution to pest control?
Read MoreIn an attempt to find a sustainable way to control pests on campus, Shawnigan installed owl nesting boxes this fall. The hope is to have a pair — or more — of barred owls make their home on campus and provide some organic rodent regulation on campus. Patricia Hanbidge, Shawnigan’s Environmental Lead and Horticulturalist, explains more here. -
Ode to the Poinsettia – Part I of III
Read MoreThey’re everywhere this time of year – but why? What makes the poinsettia so special? Besides the beautiful red and green coloration, there is a lot more to the history of this remarkable plant, as Shawnigan’s Environmental Lead and Horticulturalist, Patricia Hanbidge, explains in this three-part series. Keep an eye out for parts II and III of her Ode to the Poinsettia! -
Ode to the Poinsettia – Part II of III
Read MoreThey’re everywhere this time of year – but why? What makes the poinsettia so special? Besides the beautiful red and green coloration, there is a lot more to the history of this remarkable plant, as Shawnigan’s Environmental Lead and Horticulturalist, Patricia Hanbidge, explains in this three-part series. Keep an eye out for part III of her Ode to the Poinsettia! -
Ode to the Poinsettia – Part III of III
Read MoreThey’re everywhere this time of year – but why? What makes the poinsettia so special? Besides the beautiful red and green coloration, there is a lot more to the history of this remarkable plant, as Shawnigan’s Environmental Lead and Horticulturalist, Patricia Hanbidge, explains in this three-part series.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
