Supporting Nature: Gardening with Native Plants
Tamsin Baker, Stewardship Coordinator, SCCPHarry Hill, Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden
March 23, 2019 Presentation – Sechelt
South Coast
Conservation Program
A multi-partner conservation program
helping facilitate projects and activities to restore and protect
species and ecosystems at risk
BC’s South Coast Region
Wide range of habitats supporting high level of biodiversityOver 30 (federally-listed) endangered, threatened
and special concern species at risk
Nature Stewards ProgramMuch of land in Metro Vancouver is privately-held
• What does it offer to private landowners?
– Free site visit
– Follow up info - Wildlife Habitat Report
– Opportunities for Habitat Enhancement
In partnership with:
• Gardeners can be great nature stewards!
• Most common recommendation is to plant native plants – but where to start?
• Victoria’s Habitat Acquisition Trust created a native plant gardening guide over 10 years ago
• Naturescape BC Georgia Basin Guide(s)
• Invasive Species Council of BC’s Grow Me Instead guide
NEW GUIDE!Gardening with Native Plants in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley
Gardening with Native Plants in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley
• Stay tuned for a workshop near you!
• Pick up your free copy today! PDF is online.
Why Garden with Native Plants?
Practical reasons:
• Can require little maintenance
• Don’t need pesticides
• Less use of water
• Can reduce erosion
Why Garden with Native Plants?Attractive options year round
Why Garden with Native Plants?Help to increase biodiversity
Wildlife needs:
Food, Shelter and Water
Why Garden with Native Plants?
Helping pollinators
• Bees – Needs flowering plants, so choose a variety with different bloom times
• Butterflies – Needs plants to support the larval stage and the adult stage
Pollinator-attractive wild plants of Metro Vancouver
Why Garden with Native Plants?
Helping nature
• Species at Risk – approx. 30 federally-listed species
• Provide needed habitat – create an ecosystem, and connectivity
Western Toad
Northern Red-legged Frog
Why Garden with Native Plants?
Helping Species at Risk continued…
Western Screech-owlGreat Blue Heron
Species Identification Guides
South Coast SAR Series – Paper and On-line versions
Amphibians, Owls and Snails
Where to get Native Plants?
• Don’t take them from the wild
• Check out local nurseries
• Watch out for hybrids! – check the scientific name
• Pick up in Abbotsford (west) on May 4th
Where to find information
• www.sccp.ca (under Nature Stewards Program tab)– ID guides
– Native plant guides
– Links to other resources
– Species at risk links
• Sign up for E-Newsletter / Follow us on Facebook
• Email: [email protected]
Questions?
Thank You to Our Funders and Partners!