In her role as a member of the Bayview Leaside BIA in 2016, Debora Kuchme initiated a sustainable planting project to revitalize the neglected tree planters along Bayview.
Debora recruited several retired environmentally-minded volunteers to implement the project and dubbed them “The Bayview Pixies” after the mythical spirits who help gardens grow. Soon the Pixies could be seen in their black and green aprons changing the soil, planting native phlox, weeding and watering with rainwater gathered in barrels behind Pagnello’s, their “headquarters.”
As a result of their efforts, the health of the trees improved, as did the general appearance of the entire neighbourhood. Debora was also the driving force behind festivals such as AppleFest.
While the Pixies no longer garden together, Debora maintained their bond through Sunday “Pixie Reports” on email and Tuesday coffee gatherings. Last year they handed out flower seeds on Earth Day. They vow to keep their bond and the Pixie spirit alive even in the absence of their inspiring leader.
