Land Based Walk + Talk 

In collaboration with CDLI and the Building Connected Communities Project team, the Land-Based Walk + Talk brought together community to engage in a conversation around sustainable land-based practices and the role of community gardens in facilitating connection and care. 

Featuring the Sunalta Community Garden and Rainbow Society Community Garden, participants had the opportunity to learn about what inspired these projects, the communities that nurture it, who can be involved, and what is grown in each plot. Thank you to Janet and Barbara for leading the session with passion, expertise and generosity.

As part of our summer series of Climate Justice gatherings, we are delighted to share Dr Jebunnessa Chapola's reflections from the Land Based Walk + Talk community conversation.

Community Gardens as Resistance Against Climate Change

Community gardens are more than just green spaces or plots for fresh, organic food — they are acts of resistance and powerful tools in the fight against climate change. It was an honour to be invited to the Rainbow and Sunalta Community Garden in Calgary to share my journey as an academic mother and a long-time advocate for community gardens. For the past 16 years, I’ve been committed to building greener, more just, and connected communities—where growing food means growing resistance, resilience, and hope. Grateful for the opportunity to connect, reflect, and plant seeds for the future—together. I advocate for more community gardens in our neighborhoods — not just to grow food, but to grow freedom. Freedom from capitalist food industries. Freedom to decolonize our food systems. Freedom to reclaim our relationship with the land. When we grow our own food, we begin to subvert the profit-driven food system that exploits both people and the planet. We build resilient communities with people who believe in change, justice, and collective power. Grow hope — together.

By Dr. Jebunnessa Chapola, Researcher, Anti-Racist & Decolonial Feminist