Supporting Nature: Gardening with Native Plants Tamsin Baker, Stewardship Coordinator, SCCP Harry 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 biodiversity Over 30 (federally-listed) endangered, threatened and special concern species at risk
Nature Stewards Program Much 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-owl Great 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!
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