What is the bARK.today Project?
bARK.today is a unique initiative by bARK vzw, a non-profit organization fully committed to embracing biodiversity and reducing CO2 emissions through action. This project doesn’t just think in boxes — it applies the principles of edible gardens, food forests, food gardens, and food forest edges, all wrapped up in what they call the ‘Smuljungle.’ The name, originally coined by ecological green pioneer Bart Backaert, reflects an inclusive approach to garden design that invites everyone to participate. The team behind bARK.today is a growing group of experts who specialize in creating spaces where people, animals, and nature connect seamlessly.
Main Benefits of bARK.today
Here’s what makes bARK.today stand out:
- Innovative ‘Smulbakken’ concept allows growing delicious produce with much less water.
- Ergonomic designs enable participation from people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments.
- Combines art, culture, and nature in every project, making it truly unique.
- Builds sustainable communities focused on tolerance and biodiversity.
- Offers basic training courses that make it easy to get started right away.
- Supports education by turning the ‘Smuljungle’ into a living encyclopedia for various subjects.
- Provides specially designed programs for care centers to foster nature connection.
- Helps cities and municipalities revive or start food forest projects with community-building expertise.
- Promotes sustainable teambuilding events for companies to boost CO₂-neutral entrepreneurship awareness.
Education and Learning with bARK.today
Education is a big part of the bARK.today mission. They’ve developed an educational trajectory that uses the ‘Smuljungle concept’ as a living encyclopedia. Imagine applying your learning objectives — geometry, mathematics, chemistry, nutrition, geography, biology, artistic formation — all in one vibrant, green space. It’s hands-on, engaging, and perfect for bringing lessons to life in a way textbooks just can’t match.
Care Centers and Nature Connection
Nature isn’t just for schools or public spaces — it has a vital role in care centers too. Thanks to the ergonomically designed ‘Smulbakken,’ everyone, including those with limited mobility, can enjoy green experiences. Plus, bARK.today offers a full-year program tailored to care centers, making it easier than ever to integrate nature into therapeutic and recreational activities. It’s about inclusion, well-being, and reconnecting with the earth.
Supporting Cities, Municipalities, and Communities
Food forests are booming worldwide, but many projects stumble due to unclear regulations or lack of follow-through. bARK.today steps in to help. Whether it’s building new communities around food forests or rescuing projects that seem doomed, they bring expertise and passion to breathe new life into these green spaces. After all, what good is a harvest if no one’s there to care for it or enjoy it?
Project Impact: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Linked to bARK.today
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities — by creating green, inclusive outdoor spaces.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production — through sustainable gardening and food production.
- SDG 13: Climate Action — reducing CO2 emissions via biodiversity and community action.
- SDG 15: Life on Land — promoting biodiversity with food forests and edible gardens.
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being — enhancing well-being through nature connection in care centers.
- SDG 4: Quality Education — using the Smuljungle as a living classroom for multiple disciplines.
Corporate Engagement and Green Tech Integration
For companies, bARK.today offers more than just gardening — it’s about fostering a positive company culture through sustainable teambuilding events. Corporate gardening, or ‘company gardening,’ has been popular in other countries for a while, and bARK.today brings this concept home. Establishing a ‘Smuljungle’ or ‘Smulbakken’ on company grounds helps raise awareness about CO₂-neutral entrepreneurship. Plus, these events serve as a gateway to introduce other Green Tech solutions, empowering everyone to think and act differently. It’s about bundling strengths and making real change happen — no more just talking, it’s time to start walking.
