The Pawpaw ( Asimina triloba ) is a small, slender tree that is found naturally throughout the eastern United States and portions of southern Ontario, including Essex County. It has large leaves and bears an edible fruit. This sweet fruit, which is yellow-green in colour, can be eaten raw or preserved to make a variety of foods. Historically, it typically grew in enclosed wooded areas. Its fruit was a favourite among local wildlife and the aboriginal people who made this region their home.
The Pawpaw’s circumstances changed dramatically with the onset of European settlement in our region. Widespread deforestation across Windsor and Essex County within the last century, combined with a lack of awareness of the Pawpaw and its benefits, has severely impacted this species. Furthermore, the Pawpaw’s site-sensitive requirements have prevented it from re-generating in disturbed areas or being established in new forestation projects. In an area where the Pawpaw was once wide spread, this species has been reduced to less than a dozen remnant sites in Windsor and Essex County.
In addition to having a diminished presence in our region, the Pawpaw has been largely forgotten. Many of our residents are unaware of just what a Pawpaw is, much less of this species’ presence in Windsor and Essex County. In a time when the people of our region have no historical or cultural connection to our native Pawpaw, this species would appear to be both gone and forgotten.
What if?...
For those who attempt to plant their own Pawpaw's without an understanding of their unique requirements, the end result is usually very dissapointing. Furthermore, with the Pawpaw’s sensitivities and other complexities, attempting to restore it through a quick promotion or as a garden gimmick would ultimately do more harm than good to this vulnerable species. On the contrary, bringing the Pawpaw out of obscurity would require an ambitious investment, one which would require planning, education and personal commitment. Yet despite this level of investment, the Pawpaw offers a variety of potential opportunities and benefits. If we could utilize the Pawpaw in a meaningful way, we could restore its presence in Windsor and Essex County while establishing it as a new food crop for our region. To this end, after more than one year of planning, discussions, research, and grant applications, we have launched a special initiative…. Project Pawpaw.
Project Pawpaw is an initiative of the Naturalized Habitat Network dedicated to raising awareness of our indigenous Pawpaw and its benefits by providing education, training and practical experiences to both prospective producers and consumers, with the goal of restoring this species, while establishing it as a community supported, environmentally sustainable local food resource.
This special initiative will officially begin in late 2011 and will continue throughout 2012. This will involve the development of new educational resources, events and activities. This particular initiative will present some significant “firsts”, beginning with the development of the very first community Pawpaw project to ever take place in Canada. Just as importantly, this project will involve a level of community participation that is unprecedented for our organization.
Project Pawpaw will consist of two distinct aspects. These are: 1. Grower Training - This portion of our initiative will provide training to those who are interested in growing the Pawpaw and harvesting their own fruit. These training events will include both formal and practical events that will be scheduled at a variety of locations across Windsor and Essex County. Participants will also be provided with their own Pawpaw seedlings. Local food producers, family gardeners and all avid gardeners are welcome to participate.
2. Consumer Education - This portion of our initiative will provide hands on experience to those interested in working with Pawpaw fruit in their own kitchens. Beginning with an orientation, participants will be provided with samples of fresh and frozen Pawpaw fruit and encouraged to develop their own “made in Ontario” recipes. We will welcome both amateur and professional participants, including home makers, chefs, culinary students or food aficionados.
Throughout 2012, we will be posting Project Pawpaw related events in the "Coming Events" section of our web site. In the meantime, if you would like to be included on our e-mail contact list, contact us today! If you would like a complete listing of our Pawpaw Grower Training Sessions that will be offered throughout Windsor and Essex County, e-mail us at
.
Admin
