The Prince George Recycling & Environmental Action Planning Society (REAPS) has completed Phase One of the Growing Knowledge Community Compost Garden Education Centre, an important step toward expanding year-round environmental education and food literacy in Prince George.
Supported through Northern Development’s Community Development Community Places funding program, with $30,000 committed toward the project, the new education centre is being constructed at the Growing Knowledge Community Compost Garden, located on the traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh. The total project budget is $100,116.25, with funding approved in March 2025.
Operated by Prince George Recycling & Environmental Action Planning Society, the Growing Knowledge site is a well-established community resource that includes 58 garden plots, fruit trees, edible bushes, greenhouse beds and composting infrastructure. Additional garden plots were added in 2025, reflecting growing interest and participation from the community.
The new education centre provides a weather-resistant, accessible indoor space where community members of all ages can participate in workshops and hands-on learning related to sustainable food practices, composting, soil management and organic cultivation. Previously, programming was heavily dependent on weather conditions, limiting learning opportunities during colder months or periods of extreme weather. With climate change contributing to more unpredictable conditions, the addition of this facility supports more consistent, inclusive and resilient community programming.
Beyond expanding educational opportunities, the centre allows REAPS to grow its reach and impact. The facility enables increased participation, supports new and expanded programming and creates the potential for REAPS to relocate its headquarters to the garden site during the summer of 2026, further strengthening its connection to the community it serves.
This project builds on a longstanding relationship between Northern Development and REAPS. In 2020, Northern Development supported the organization through the Community Development Marketing Initiatives Program, funding a successful brand and marketing revitalization project completed in September of that year. Together, these investments reflect a shared commitment to building organizational capacity and supporting initiatives that promote sustainability, waste reduction and community well-being.
The Growing Knowledge Community Compost Garden Education Centre is a strong example of how community places funding can support practical learning, environmental stewardship and long-term resilience, helping ensure Prince George residents have access to the knowledge and tools needed to build a more sustainable future.
