Sustainability Story

Wyndham Library Seed Library

Program:

The Wyndham Seed Library aims to build food resilience and promote sustainable gardens by supporting the local community to share seeds and grow their own produce and habitat gardens. Seed library members can collect 3 seed packets per month from either the Point Cook or Manor Lakes Seed Library locations for free.

In response to the pandemic lockdown, Wyndham Libraries did several special delivery runs for Seed Library patrons. Seed Library members completed a form to request a delivery. The seeds were delivered within two weeks of the form closure date.  Patrons had to be a Wyndham Seed Library Member to access this delivery service, and anyone could become a member here: https://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/seedlibrary

This project linked in with the Wyndham Green Living Series theme for October 2021 – In The Garden, which offered a free range of nature-inspired activities for kids aged 5 and over to undertake at home. This ranged from growing tomatoes, carrots and air plants to creating painted pebbles, paper birds and a recycled garden.

Council Policies on environment and sustainability: The Environment and Sustainability Strategy 2016 – 2040 addresses the key issues for Wyndham City with the focus on achieving a more sustainable future. This Strategy focuses on the following key areas:

A range of social factors influences the wellbeing and development of the local community, including learning and education around environmental sustainability. Information about selected groups, social and health themes in Wyndham, as well as information about our wards, suburbs, and districts, can be accessed from the Wyndham Snapshot website.

Advocacy Partnership:
The nature-inspired activities were created by the Kids Club Online team and were available to view and download from the Kids Club Online webpage. In addition, the library printed these activities and presented them in a 'In the Garden' Activity Booklet for anyone visiting the library in person. 

Promotion:
The Library also offered children and 'In the Garden Seed Packet Surprise' that included daisy and lettuce seeds. People could request the In the Garden Activity Booklet and In the Garden Seed Packet Surprise via the click and collect initiative or through the Wyndham Libraries To You (WLTY) home delivery service.  The booklets and seeds arrived at one key library and then were sent to each branch to pack before being distributed to families. Additionally, staff packed the Activity Booklets and Seeds Packets into customer orders.

Evaluation:
distribution on the number of seed packets to the community is captured regularly.

This story meets the following sustainable development goals: