Native Plant Conservation
ERC Native Plant Educational Garden, Nursery & Seed Library
In December 2022, we wrapped up a two-year project to restore 1.5 acres of land at the Elk Root Conservation Educational Demonstration Farm with ‘local ecotype’ Native Plants for educational purposes. This restored area is called the Native Plant Educational Demonstration Garden (NPEDG).
In the NPEDG, there is a seed library, a plant nursery, and an upland pond system that will connect to the riparian zone at ERC. Throughout the garden, there is also a walking path where visitors will be able to view and connect with native plants along their stroll. The walking path will also give ERC’s visitors the opportunity to read educational signs about upland and riparian conservation, the native plants, and their traditional uses, and witness a highly active wildlife corridor throughout a sensitive riparian zone.
The NPEDG will be the site of future learning opportunities at ERC. It is a beautiful outdoor classroom setting and will be a wonderful place for community gathering and learning about protecting our natural environment including native plants.
What’s Next…
During the next phase of this project we will be collaborating with local Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers to learn more about the traditional culture of native plants and with permission, incorporating the ecological significance of select native plants to local Indigenous communities into the garden’s signage and our educational field guide.
Native Plant Field Guide
We are so proud to announce that after four years in the making, our Native Plant Field Guide is complete and can be found in print! The guide encompasses all native plants found on-site at ERC’s farm and contains a general description of the plants, where they can be found ecologically and geographically, as well as their light, soil and moisture requirements. Each plant also has a beautiful hand drawn detailed drawing.
Beyond the magical illustrations and detailed descriptions which lie within, outside on the farm, the collection of local ecotype native plants grown and cared for at Elk Root are available (either plant or seed) by donation. These are perfect for everything from backyard gardening to regional restoration projects. We are thrilled at the potential this guide has for good work in the region!
Funding contributions in part from: RDCK, Columbia Basin Trust, Heritage BC, Columbia Power and Kootenay Savings
