Native Plant Stewardship

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Our group works to educate our community about the benefits of native plants and the negative impacts of prolific, invasive species that often out-compete them. We encourage the planting, tending and restoration of native species that are well-adapted to local conditions and provide important habitat for wildlife, birds, butterflies, wild bees and other pollinators.

Membership is free and open to residents on SSI.

Contact Deborah Miller for more information.

Activites

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Education

We attend the Garden Club plant sale and Seedy Saturday with educational materials and samples, ready to discuss the benefits and methods of encouraging native plants and removing invasive plants. We write articles for local media and have a list of links to useful online information, located under the “Resources” section of this website.

Invasive Species Control

We provide information and support to individuals and neighbourhood groups working to control and remove non-native weeds.

We also host two Invasive Plant Drop-off days each spring. The Fire Department works with us on this, as broom and gorse are severe fire hazards. Chipping costs are covered thanks to a grant from the SSI Conservancy and donations by those bringing broom, gorse, holly, ivy, blackberry, daphne etc. for disposal. We appreciate the support from chippers Ron Cook, Ben Barter and Cam Proudfoot, as well as Emcon Services, Fisher Road Recycling, and Island Savings Credit Union.

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Action and Advocacy

In addition to work parties in various locations, we maintain a few demonstration sites on the island.

We cut the broom at a site on Long Harbour road identified by the SSI Conservancy sign, and remove Hairy Cat’s Ear and broom from an enclosure in Andreas Voigt Nature Reserve. We now see native wildflowers flourishing in both these locations. We’ve removed Gorse from the top end of Booth Canal Road, and planted native shrubs in its place.

To gain a greater understanding of the extent of noxious Gorse shrubs, we have recently launched a Gorse Mapping Project; using the popular free app iNaturalist (https://inaturalist.ca/). When someone submits a photo, the app provides probable identification and records the location of the plant. Knowing the scope of the gorse problem will help us press governments and our local road maintenance contractor Emcon to deal with this serious fire hazard.

NPS News, Resources, & Events

Future-proof your Home with Water Management: $ave Money and Improve Resiliency by Harnessing Your Water Resources – Video

Future-proof your Home with Water Management: $ave Money and Improve Resiliency by Harnessing Your Water Resources. Watch this informative webinar that will revolutionize the way you manage water on your property…
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Welcoming Native Pollinators to Our Neighbourhood Gardens with Bee Expert Bonnie Zand- Video

Welcoming Native Pollinators to Our Neighbourhood Gardens with Bee Expert Bonnie Zand View the recording from June 8, 2023 on our Youtube Channel Here. Discover practical tips and strategies from…
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Invasive Plant Drop-Off

Invasive Plant Drop-Off Days

Three events this May and June will help you get rid of your non-native invasive plants easily and affordably. The Invasive plant drop-off on Saturday, May 13, at the Community…
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Saanich Naturescape Program

Saanich Naturescape Program has a great website with lots of resources, including a new booklet to help you create, maintain and enhance wildlife habitat and native biodiversity using native plants on your…
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NATIVE PLANT STEWARDSHIP RESOURCES

Growing native plants is very rewarding and helps provide important habitat for local birds, animals and pollinators.  Native Plants: • Are adapted to your climate • Are drought tolerant  •…
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Native Plant Garden

You’re Invited to the NATIVE PLANT GARDEN Community Launch Sunday, April 16 from 1 pm-3 pm

@ at the Indigenous Welcome Figure along Rainbow Road at the south end of the Hydro Field, just across from Al’s Falafels.  Come learn about Nature’s medicine cabinet & pantry…
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NPS News, Resources, & Events

Salt Spring Island Conservancy- Caring for your Land

We live in one of the rarest natural areas in Canada: the Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystem. This ecosystem is located in a narrow strip of low-lying land along the southeastern coast…
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Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team

Garry oak ecosystems contain some of Canada’s most endangered habitats and species, and they’re unique to this region. What can a single landowner or community group do to make a…
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Gardening with Native Plants

Lots of info on this Habitat Acquisition Trust page: https://www.hat.bc.ca/gardening-with-native-plants Do you want attractive, easy to maintain, drought tolerant gardens that attract birds and butterflies? The best plant choices for…
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CRD Native Plants info

What Are Native Plants? A native plant thrives naturally in a region, ecosystem or habitat without human introduction. Native plants are vital components of healthy and resilient ecosystems. They provide…
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Invasive Plant Drop Off Days!

The TSS Native Plant Stewardship group, in conjunction with the SS Fire Rescue, is hosting two invasive species drop off days for gorse, broom, holly. 10am-3pm, Saturday May 15th at…
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SSI Water Preservation Society ~ Native Plant Restoration and Elimination of Broom

Broom; beautiful, invasive, weed. When it’s tiny, we pull it, when it’s big, we cut it down (below ground level). Either way, we’re eradicating it from WPS-owned nature reserve watershed…
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“To love a place is not enough. We must find ways to heal it.” ― Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants