Project Nest Connects Tenants with Nature

A new initiative known as Project Nest enables Senior Living tenants to indulge their love of nature and conservation. The initiative involves building and installing birdhouses designed to accommodate four species of native birds considered endangered in Ontario. The birdhouses, assembled from kits, are designed to mimic the nesting conditions of each of the four species. Partners in the initiative include the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF); Ottawa City Woodshop, an independent, members-run organization dedicated to woodworking; and Wild Outside, a national conservation-based youth-leadership program.

Leading Project Nest are Manon McDonic, a Perley Health Nursing Unit Clerk, and Mena Wallace, a participant in CWF's Canadian Conservation Corps program. The two are determined to share their passion for nature by providing people with opportunities to conserve native species and protect biodiversity. The Project involved two sessions: one focused on building the kits, the other on education. On build day, Senior Living tenants paired up with youth volunteers from Wild Outside. With the help of a facilitator, each pair described their nature-related experiences and stories. During the second session, tenants learned about the four native species, backyard conservation and how their birdhouses would contribute to biodiversity and enhance the ecosystem.

“Working with the tenants was an absolute pleasure,” says McDonic. “I couldn't have asked for a more engaged and enthusiastic group of people. It was so touching to see how each and every person had a connection to nature, and, with some, seeing it play such an integral part in their lives. I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to spend not one but two weekends with such a lovely group.”

(L to R) Mena Wallace and Manon McDonic share thier love of nature and conservation with the Perley Health community.