About Us
Common Ground Community Development Corporation is a St. John's based, incorporated not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting, supporting and implementing sustainable community development initiatives in St. John's and surrounding areas. Our current focus is on local food, green technology, and ecological restoration.
Common Ground was incorporated in 2011, overseeing the St. John’s Safer Soil Project (originally sponsored by the Centre for Long-term Environmental Action in Newfoundland and Labrador, CLEANf/Ld).
St. John’s Safer Soil
St. John’s Safer Soil promotes safe gardening and recreation in areas with elevated soil lead levels, in response to recent studies which found high levels of lead in the soil of downtown St. John’s. It has organized community forums to promote lead safe gardening and landscaping to reduce the risk of lead exposure, especially to young children. Its Lead Safe Yard Project conducted soil testing on residential sites, and provided custom landscaping plans for lead safe yards.
Biochar Field Trial and Workshop Series
For four years, Common Ground conducted a field trial utilizing biochar at its demonstration garden at the Gathering Place. Biochar is an organic soil amendment created by baking organic matter, resulting in a fine porous charcoal. Biochar is currently receiving a great deal of attention for its capacity to dramatically increase soil health and fertility, resulting in higher yields for farmers. Biochar also has many environmental benefits: reducing water and fertilizer requirements, generating alternative energy during production, and sequestering carbon from agricultural waste in soil. In 2013, Common Ground presented a free public workshop series on biochar production and use.
Year-round Liquid Foam Insulated (LFI) Greenhouse
and Permaculture Demonstration Site
Common Ground has begun construction of a year-round, Liquid Foam Insulated demonstration greenhouse at its new demonstration garden in Pippy Park. The greenhouse and garden site will serve as an educational facility for promoting year-round greenhouse technology, sustainable gardening practices, and permaculture design!
