EVENTS
NPSG Events
Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 7pm
TWO PROJECTS THAT ENCOURAGE NATIVE HABITAT
A Master of Dwarf Mistletoe Control
with Sue Dugaro
Sue is a dwarf mistletoe expert. Dwarf mistletoe is of significant importance to forestry with the implementation of variable retention, and there are several species. Her master's project was on the biological control of dwarf mistletoe.
Robin Lane Restoration Builds Community
with Sylvia Samborski
Sylvia will give a progress report on restoring native plants to a road allowance near her home, which she initiated as a community-buidling project in her neighborhood.
UVic, MacLaurin Bldg, Rm D-116
Non member drop-in fee: $3
Check out upcoming NPSBC events.
Chemainus Camas Fest
When Saturday, May 26 from 11am to 3pm
Where Channel Boulevard cul-de-sac, Echo Heights, Chemainus
Other information will be available at the Cowichan Neighbourhood House. Knowledgeable people will be available to share info about camas, Garry oak ecosystems, and the First Nations use of plants.
Garry Oak Ecosystem Restoration at Fort Rodd Hill
Help win the battle against invasive species at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites. Restore endangered Garry Oak Ecosystems by removing invasive plants such as Scotch broom and spurge laurel. Call or email to arrange a time to volunteer.
When Saturday, May 26, June 9 & 23, July 7 & 21, August 18 from 10am to 3pm (volunteers are provided a veggie friendly lunch and tools)
Where Fort Rodd Hill, meet behind Administration building. Contact us if you need a ride from the Juan de Fuca Rec Centre and remember to dress for the weather.
Contact frh.volunteer@pc.gc.ca or 250-812-8133
Every Sunday and Wednesday, starts at 9:00am
Guided Birdwalks
Bring your binoculars and walking shoes. Meet in the parking lot for
this informal and informative walk around the lake area. Binoculars
are
available for loan at the Nature House office on Wednesdays.
Donations appreciated, Visit: http://www.swanlake.bc.ca
Every Saturday, 9am - 11am
Weekly Ivy Pull in Beacon Hill Park
Meet at washroom at the Southeast Woods, Lovers Lane
Native Plant Workshops
The Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary are currently taking registrations for our FREE Native Plant Workshops. These perennially favourite classes are sponsored by the CRD and facilitated by local native plant expert Pat Johnsona and are designed to provide you with information on identification, benefits and uses in the garden.
There are still spaces available in the following classes:
January 26, 1pm - 4pm
February 22, 1pm - 4pm
March 14, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
March 30, 1pm - 4pm
April 4, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
April 25, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Call 250-479-0211 to register
Mt Douglas Park
Alien, Invasive Plant Removal
Volunteers Needed!
What Removal of non-native, invasive plant species such as E. Ivy, E. Holly, Scotch Broom, Garlic Mustard, etc.
When Every Thursday - 10:00 to Noon. Volunteers meet just before 10:00 at designated gathering place (per website below).
Where Various work sites within Mt Douglas Park. To determine work sites for specific dates check the following website:
Calendar of Events section at www.mountdouglaspark.ca
How No previous experience required. Instruction and equipment
provided. Please wear sturdy shoes and old clothing, making sure your arms
and legs are covered for your protection.
Contact For more information contact Judy at 250-472-0515 or email Judy
Brodick/Bow Parks/Feltham Trail
Invasive Plant Removal
Volunteers Needed!
What Removal of non-native, invasive plant species such as E. Ivy, E. Holly, Scotch Broom, etc.
When Every Monday - 10:00 to Noon. Volunteers meet just before 10:00 at designated gathering place.
Where Work sites vary within Brodick/Bow Parks. To determine work sites for specific dates, please phone or email Judy for directions.
How No previous experience required. Instruction and equipment
provided. Please wear sturdy shoes and old clothing, making sure your arms
and legs are covered for your protection.
Contact For more information contact Judy at 250-472-0515 or email Judy
Saanich Parks
Volunteer Opportunities
For information regarding volunteer work in any Saanich park, go to Saanich's "Pulling Together Program" webpage: [ link ]
Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 7pm
Recent Trends in Botanical Field Research in BC
with Dr. Terry McIntosh
Plant ecologist and taxonomist, Dr. Terry McIntosh says that despite a long history of plant collecting in British Columbia, many areas have not been thoroughly inventoried and botanists continue to make new discoveries. He will discuss the newest trends in botanical exploration, and some of the latest finds. He will also address some of the issues surrounding conservation of rare plant species and biodiversity-critical habitats.
Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 7pm
Natural Processes for the Restoration of Drastically Disturbed Sites
with Dave Polster
Most traditional reclamation treatments have failed to effectively restore drastically disturbed sites. Solutions to the limitations of traditional approaches can be found by looking at how nature solves similar problems. These solutions can then be used as models for the design of recovery strategies. Dave will explore the application of natural processes for the restoration of drastically disturbed sites. (In terms of natural systems, is your back yard a "drastically disturbed site?")
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 7pm
The Royal BC Museum's Native Plant Gardens and
Favourites for Your Garden
with Charles Knighton
Charles Knighton will introduce us to the provincial museum's native plant gardens and discuss a dozen plants he considers most ornamental or fruitful in the urban home landscape. He will conclude with methods for successfully and ethically harvesting of plants from the wild.
Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 7pm
Recent Trends in Botanical Field Research in B.C.
with Dr. Terry McIntosh
... has been postponed due to weather.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 7pm
How I Spent My Summer Vacation
with Fred Hook
Halfway between Williams Lake and Bella Coola is Tatlayoko Lake in the coastal mountain range. This past summer professional and amateur botanists traced the path of one small stream that feeds the lake and the flora along it to the top of Potato mountain. Join native plant expert, Fred Hook for a fascinating journey into BC's high country.
Thursday, October 20, 2011 at 7pm
Restoring Nature Along the Gorge Waterway
with Kitty Lloyd
Kitty Lloyd has been working on a variety of restoration projects along the beautiful Gorge Waterway for several years. Learn about how the community is working to bring native vegetation back to the Gorge shoreline.
Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 7pm
Join the Native Plant Study Group for an evening of forming, storming, norming and performing: Pecha Kucha style!
Facilitated by the Native Plant Study Group chair, Nathalie Dechaine, September's meeting guarantees to be interactive, informative and fun. Get your questions about native plants answered by the collective membership or take home one of your own native plants from the monthly plant draw. Drop-ins welcome ($3) or become a member (details available at the meeting).
Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 7pm
Native Bees: Essential Pollinators For Our Future
with entomologist Gordon Hutchings
A worldwide crisis in bee populations has made our native pollinators more important than ever. A resident of our region - they are resilient and fascinating. Learn more as Gordon shares his expertise, images and materials on how we can help preserve our natural environment.
Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 7pm
One For All — three short presentations about native plants
Join three NPSG members as they share their stories and images in revitalizing native habitats for this once a year special event. Make sure to bring some loonies for the native plant draw!
One: Turning your lawn into a native plant garden with Jennie Sutton
Two: Restoring a community boulevard with Todd Doherty
Three: Local wildflowers with Agnes Lynn
Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 7pm
Ethnobotany of the Peninsula
with John-Bradley Williams
Join John-Bradley on a virtual walk around the Saanich Peninsula and hear about the customs and lore of the Saanich and Ahousat people. As an ethnobotanist John-Bradley will introduce us to the native plants that were traditional food sources, as well as their methods of preparation.
Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 7pm
Eelgrass: A Coastal Habitat
with Nikki Wright
As Executive Director of SeaChange Marine Conservation Society, Nikki will share her knowledge about eelgrass, a plant that grows along our coast. This presentation will include photos of this unique ecology which serves as a nursery for hundreds of sea critters and feeding habitat for birds.
Thursday, January 20, 2011 at 7pm
Restoration of a Douglas-fir Landscape
with Hoke Holcomb
Join us for the first presentation of 2011 as Hoke takes us through the process of restoring a severely degraded forest site. His background in the sciences, landscapes and forestry has supported his involvement in many local restoration sites and he'll show us how landscapes can be recovered to their original splendor.
Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 7pm
Native Plants for your Rock Garden
with Paul Spriggs
An avid hiker and owner of Spriggs Gardens landscaping company, Paul has studied the flowers in alpine and sub alpine areas of Western North America for over 20 years. He will share his Island alpine favorites and recommend the best western native plants for your rock garden.
Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 7pm
Rainforest Canopies
with Dr. Neville Winchester
Dr. Winchester will take us on a journey to the high frontiers of the world’s rainforests. These gardens of the sky hold a diversity of plant, bird, mammal and insect life upon which we are all dependent. Join us in exploring rainforests that stretch from the Carmanah Valley, British Columbia to the Church Forests of Northern Ethiopia.
Thursday, September 16, 2010 at 7pm
Boss Mosses: Moss Landscapes of Southern Vancouver Island
with Kem Luther
Contrary to what many believe, it is easy to recognize the most common mosses of our area without a microscope and, in most cases, without a hand lens. Kem's slides of forest and urban mosses will provide identification tricks to help us recognize 95% of the mosses we see on a typical walk. Learn about the fascinating lives of our local mosses and what they contribute to the local ecosystem.
Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 7pm
Edible and Medicinal Plants of Canada
with Andy MacKinnon
Andy MacKinnon is well known for his book "Plants of Coastal British Columbia", an essential guide for any BC native plant enthusiast. Author of five plant identification guides, Andy joins us to talk about his new book "Edible and Medicinal Plants of Canada".
Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 7pm
Back to the Future: The Re-storying of Camas Landscapes
with Dr. Brenda Beckwith
Dr. Beckwith will discuss pressing issues about the future history of the Camassia spp., also known as the blue camas lily of the Garry Oak Meadow ecosystem. An expert in ethnoecology of this edible root foot, she brings with her over 20 years of experience in ecological restoration and ethnobotanical gardening.
Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 7pm
Fawn Lilies - their evolution and biogeography
with Dr. Geraldine Allen
An expert of plant evolution, Dr. Allen is particularly interested in how plants adapt over time and how new genetic species evolve. In this talk she will specifically talk about her research on the evolution and biogeography of the Erythronium, commonly known as the fawn lily.
Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 7pm
Gardening with Nature
with Abe Lloyd
Start your new year's garden off right. Learn how to garden with native plants by observing First Peoples past and present practices. From transplanting lilies, to pruning crabapples, and even tilling and weeding garden beds, Abe will show us how we can integrate Aboriginal plant management to create beautiful wild edible gardens.
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