Our Next NPSG Event is Guest Speaker & Meeting
Thursday November 20th 2025 at 7:00pm
Transformation: Climate Change and a new Ecology for BC
with Richard Hebda
Climate change is intensifying, with record-high temperatures, more extreme events, and waning commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The response of ecosystems, ecological processes and species is now evident and will only become clearer. Climates in the upcoming decades will be unlike those seen for millions of years, in times preceding the Ice Age. Join Richard Hebda as he explores BC’s rapidly approaching ecological future and how we might adapt.
Speaker Bio:
Richard Hebda is Curator Emeritus at the Royal British Columbia Museum (RBCM) and adjunct faculty at the University of Victoria (UVIC). He was the first faculty coordinator of the Restoration of Natural Systems Program at UVic, where he still teaches. Richard Hebda is (co)author of 135+ scientific papers 300+ popular articles on native plants and climate change; (co) author/editor of several books and reports (grasses, ethnobotany). He received the Queen’s Jubilee medal for his work in palaeontology and the national Bruce Naylor award for natural history curatorship. Richard is the past president of the BC Iris Society and editor of the Society’s Rainbow Goddess.
In Person Location:
At the Swan Lake Nature House, 3873 Swan Lake Road -> Link to Map
Lekwungen Territory, with connections to WSÁNEĆ community as well
Cost: By donation gratefully accepted to go towards the guest speaker! Everyone welcome, and no need to RSVP. Free for NPSG Members.
Online Live Stream: Zoom Register Here
What to expect:
A short welcome and intro, then sit down talk by speaker for about an hour, then after tea and treats, and chatting. Followed by a native plant raffle!
6:30-7:00: Volunteer setup inside and socializing (everyone welcome to help for 3 free raffle tickets!)
7:00-7:15 Introductions and Welcome
7:15-8:15 Presentation by Speaker, Q&A
8:15-8:30 Treats and Tea break
8:30-8:45 Famous Native Plant Raffle!!
8:45-9:00 Clean up together
Help with the setup or bring cookies to share for 3 free raffle tickets.
Note: This talk will be recorded and broadcast on Zoom, and we will share the recording with our members. To become a member, visit membership $25 for the year.
What to bring:
- A mug for herbal tea or decaf coffee
- A headlamp or flashlight (it is dark from the parking lot to the nature house!)
- Some small change for cookies, tea, or raffle tickets
- Drop-in donation (if possible), or $25 for your annual 2025 membership fee
- Native plant or native seeds if you have extra for the plant raffle
Accessibility Notes:
The Nature House Building is on the ground/main floor and is wheelchair accessible up a concrete path with a slight incline. The walk will be on an uneven dirt path during sunset.
There are two accessible parking spots at the very end of Swan Lake Road here past the main parking lot, about 20 steps from the front door. The area is not well lit if after sunset – flashlight or additional light is recommended. Two washrooms are gender-neutral, single-stall, locking, and accessible inside the building. There is a HEPA filter air purifier we turn on during our meetings, masks are not required.
Territorial Acknowledgement:
The Native Plant Study Group respectfully acknowledges that we meet on the unceded territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ and Lekwungen Peoples. We are a garden group with a strong interest in gardening with native plants for their aesthetic, intrinsic, and conservation values. We gratefully recognize the longstanding stewards of these plants and ecosystems, as well as their cultural significance.
We encourage a safe and respectful space for everyone to learn along with us in our individual and collective pathways of decolonization.
Registration Information is also sent via the NPSG email newsletter. Please send us an email at nativeplantstudygroup@gmail.com if you have problems or questions.
Native Plant Study Group is on Zoom!
NPSG is still using Zoom to host our monthly talks, and we host in-person events as well. Meeting details will be sent out via the NPSG email newsletter. If you would like to become a member, please see our Membership Info.
Who We Are
The Native Plant Study Group respectfully acknowledges that we meet on the unceded territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ and Lekwungen Peoples. We are a garden group with a strong interest in gardening with native plants for their aesthetic, intrinsic, and conservation values. We gratefully recognize the longstanding stewards of these plants and ecosystems, as well as their cultural significance.
General meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month from September to May (except December) and feature a speaker, draw for native plants, and discussion.
Many thanks to our Sustaining Supporters!
These businesses provide discounts to our active card-holding members:
Territorial Acknowledgement:
The Native Plant Study Group respectfully acknowledges that we meet on the unceded territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ and Lekwungen Peoples. We are a garden group with a strong interest in gardening with native plants for their aesthetic, intrinsic, and conservation values. We gratefully recognize the longstanding stewards of these plants and ecosystems, as well as their cultural significance.
We encourage a safe and respectful space for everyone to learn along with us in the process of decolonization.