Root and Bloom Eco-Festival Blossoms in the Community, Championing Sustainability

[South Surrey, BC] – Spring 2025 saw the launch of the Root and Bloom Eco-Festival, a vibrant series of events inspiring sustainable living and a deeper connection with nature. Spearheaded by local youth leader and EcoFabrica founder James, the festival united community members through hands-on learning and environmental action.

Held over two months, the festival offered a diverse array of activities. It kicked off with a community bottle drive, turning recyclables into resources for future green initiatives. Participants then enjoyed a guided tour of the renowned Darts Hill Garden Park, learning about the importance of local plant biodiversity from expert horticulturalists.

The heart of the festival beat at James' own garden, where he hosted an engaging container garden workshop, followed by a Mixed Planter Charity Sale with proceeds benefiting a local hospital.

The festival series concluded with a serene Ikebana workshop at the Ocean Park Library, introducing the Japanese art of flower arrangement as a practice in mindfulness and appreciation for natural beauty.

“The Root and Bloom Festival was born from a simple idea: that loving and protecting our natural world can be joyful, communal, and accessible to everyone,” said James, who also serves as co-president of a local youth group. “Every event was designed to plant a seed—whether it’s a new skill, a new plant, or a new perspective on sustainable living.”

The festival successfully embodied James’ dual mission as an student entrepreneur and young community leader: to advocate passionately for environmental protection and to equip his community with the tools to live in greater harmony with nature. With its successful inaugural run, the Root and Bloom Eco-Festival is poised to become an annual tradition, continuing to grow community roots for a greener future.