One of the project groups taking shape is called Nature-Friendly Yards, focused on making our private spaces more ecologically friendly. This is a free event open to anyone with an interest in creating a nature friendly yard, but it does require advanced registration by clicking here.

Eva Durance, author of ‘Cultivating the Wild: Gardening with Native Plants of British Columbia’s Southern Interior and Eastern Washington‘, will be giving an hour long presentation on how to incorporate native plants into your home landscaping.

Eva is a life-long gardener and naturalist with a special interest in plants, and owned and operated a native plant nursery for six years. She is a Landscape Designer specializing in public and private xeriscapes which incorporate native plants.

Saturday, July 15 from 1 pm – 2 pm
Room S203, Lepin Building (Science Building)
Thompson Rivers University

Using native plants when landscaping yards offers several benefits. Firstly, they are naturally adapted to the local climate, soil types, and ecosystem. They have evolved over time to thrive in specific regions, making them more resilient to local weather patterns, pests, and diseases. They are accustomed to the amount of rainfall, temperature ranges, and sunlight levels in the area, and also tend to have slower growth rates, meaning less pruning and trimming are necessary. By using native plants, homeowners can establish a more sustainable and low-maintenance landscape that requires fewer resources like water, fertilizers, and pesticides.

Native plants also promote biodiversity conservation by providing critical habitat for local wildlife, including birds, butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. They offer food sources, shelter, and nesting sites.

Finally, native plants offer a unique sense of place. They create a natural and harmonious look that fits well with the surrounding environment and contributes to the local character of an area.

Kamloops has many beautiful native species. Let’s celebrate them!