What is Biodiversity?
USC Canada defines biodiversity as the variety of life on earth and the complex essential relationships between all parts of the natural world. From the thousands of varieties of plants and food crops on the land, to countless species of animals, insects, and aquatic life, to the microbes in our soils.
Why is Biodiversity Important?
It's the earth's life support system and our world's food supply depends on it. It is also nature's brilliant insurance policy against disaster. The fragile balance of the earth is already at serious risk because of human activities.
* About 75% of food biodiversity was lost in the 20th century
* We continue to lose biodiversity at a rate of 2% every year
* Today 80% of the world's dietary energy is supplied by just 12 industrial crops
(facts quoted from USC Canada's)
Dan Jason, of Salt Spring Seeds, has been promoting safe and sustainable agriculture for the last 25 years through his seed company and as President of the Seed and Plant Sanctuary for Canada since 2003. If you are interested in reading more about Dan and his work, please go to his website, http://www.saltspringseeds.com/.
In our small way, we are growing two different seeds, Andy's Broad (Fava) Bean and Odawa, for the Seed Savers of Powell River.
Interested in viewing some helpful videos on how to save seed?....check out the link http//mapofsaltspring.com/raven/.
Happy Biodiversity Day!
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