Spring has definitely sprung and seeing the Edible Forest awakening is so magical.

It is incredible what a garden can do for your soul. There are many evidence-based research papers that show how important green spaces are for us, although being out there and experiencing it is truly amazing.

I am proud and honoured to be the President of Global Gardens of Peace, a charity that I hold close to my heart. I am part of the amazing team including Andrew Laidlaw; Senior Architect at the Royal Botanical Gardens and Peter Symes, also at the Royal Botanic Gardens; as well as many other talented people -together, we work as a team, proving how gardens can change a community.

If we could incorporate the development of green spaces in our urban design’s, I know communities would thrive and their health would improve. I am sure many of you have experienced that when you need ‘time out’, finding a little bit of your own space – there is nothing more soothing than to sit on a bench in a park and just listen to nature.

As I wandered through the Edible Forest this morning, I could see honey eaters and fairy wrens gathering organic matter to build their nests for their young. I admired the crab apple trees blossoms. It is just magical and my soul is enriched.

I welcome you to be part of this magical journey to enrich your soul and attend a day at the Edible Forest.

Louise Ward – Owner of Yarra Valley Estate and the Edible Forest Yarra Valley