No.9 Gardens -
A Centre for Sustainability
Discover living sustainably
We’re focussed on reimagining the way we create sustainable communities. No.9 Gardens is a unique 40-acre Sustainability Centre for research and implementation of innovative projects and practices in sustainable food systems and building design as integral parts of sustainable community building.
We Must Cultivate Our Garden
“We must cultivate our garden” is a phrase taken from the last line of Voltaire’s novella, Candide. It is a metaphor that calls for action and participation rather than passive acceptance and suggests that happiness is cultivated through an active lifestyle that fosters personal growth. Voltaire is asking his readers to reflect on personal responsibility, self-sufficiency, and a consideration of how the individual can get involved, act, and help create change in a positive way.
In 2013, No.9 collaborated with artist Nathan Coley and his work “We Must Cultivate our Garden”. This was the inspiration for the name No.9 Gardens, a centre for sustainability where engagement, education, awareness, and action can create meaningful change.
A Model for Living Sustainably
Launched in 2018, in partnership with Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre and St. Lawrence College Department of Skilled Trades and Tourism, No.9 Gardens is a hands-on teaching facility created to empower youth to lead a revolution in building resilient communities, utilizing the Nine Pillars of Sustainable Design developed by No.9.
No.9 Gardens is open to the public, providing a unique facility for the display of eco-art, the delivery of workshops related to sustainability and Indigenous dialogue, and a magnificent environment where visitors can immerse themselves in nature and learn simply by being here how to live more sustainably.
Our Welcome Centre opened spring 2021 and showcases the latest in sustainable building design while providing unique space for delivering hands-on learning opportunities for our visitors.
No.9 Gardens is providing enjoyable, lived experiences outdoors in the natural environment that encourage creativity, greater respect and reciprocity with the land, and a more sustainable lifestyle.
Encouraging Dialogue
We believe that building sustainable communities is only achievable with Indigenous dialogue and rejuvenation. Since the launch of No.9 Gardens, we have been actively developing partnerships with the Indigenous communities in the region. It is our intention to be able to provide a safe space for dialogue and learning opportunities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, so that we may learn from each other and work towards common goals and aspirations.
To date, No.9 has hosted a traditional canoe making workshop, showcased an Indigenous artist installation, has partnered with the Downie/Wenjack Fund to provide a Legacy Space on-site, and is in the process of establishing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Queen’s University Office of Indigenous Initiatives around providing Indigenous programming to students.
No.9 Gardens is indebted to our many partners and supporters
PROGRAM PARTNERS
St. Lawrence College Skilled Trades Program
Dunin-Deshpande Queen’s Innovation Centre
Office of Indigenous Initiatives
SUPPORTERS
No.9 Gardens is situated on traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, Mississauga, Algonquin, and Wendake-Nionwentsïo. We are grateful to be able to offer these lands for public awareness and education.