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: tamsin@sccp.ca

Questions?

Thank You to Our Funders and Partners!