Back to Our Roots Gardening for Nature Project
Oceanspray shrubs attract birds, bees, and butterflies, such as this Lorquin”s Admiral. Photo: Todd Carnahan
Please note that this program is on hold until we can secure sufficient funding.
NATURE IN YOUR YARD
Photo: Louise Goulet
Are you looking for suggestions about which native plants would be most suitable for your yard? Would you like to know how to attract more birds, butterflies, and bees? Our experts will visit your property and provide free advice and helpful resource materials!
Back to Our Roots is a habitat certification program that provides on-site expert advice, printed and on-line resources, technical assistance, and incentives to help landowners plan and complete ‘naturescape’ projects. We can assist whether you merely want to add a few suitable native plants to your flowerbeds, or if you have more extensive naturescaping in mind. The approach and certification can be applied to small townhouse lots, large rural properties, and everything in-between.
Spotted Towhee. Photo: Todd Carnahan
Photo: Brenda Costanzo
EVERY BIT HELPS
Nature faces many threats, especially in urban areas. Habitat loss, pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and competition from invasive species are a few of the key challenges. The Back to Our Roots project works with property owners to help nature by:
Native Blue Orchard Bee on Common Camas. Photo: Elizabeth Elle
- adding beautiful native plants to their landscaping;
- providing food, water and shelter (habitat) for wild creatures;
- creating native plant buffers and corridors around and between parks that have natural habitat and rare species;
- reducing water consumption;
- reducing use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides;
- managing invasive species;
- developing a network of native plant gardeners who like to share their expertise by mentoring others.
WHAT WE PROVIDE
- Minimum 1 hour free consultation with a native plant expert at your property to provide advice and help you plan your project.
- Ongoing naturescaping advice and resources.
- Incentives.
- Yard signs to explain the project and level of certification achieved.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Pat’s yard before planting. Photo: Pat Johnston
Pat’s yard after initial planting. Photo: Pat Johnston
First property visit: a Back to Our Roots representative will schedule a meeting at your house to discuss your gardening ideas and the program requirements. If you decide to enroll in the program we’ll ask you to review a stewardship agreement form
(PDF 508 KB) and place a checkmark beside the naturescaping actions you intend to carry out. The stewardship agreement is not legally binding – you can end it and withdraw from the program at any time.
Planning: a naturescaping expert will schedule time to tour your property with you. We will listen to your goals and landscaping ideas. Then we will provide suggestions for a range of suitable plants for the specific site conditions on your land (this may be during the site tour and/or in a follow-up report or planting plan). We will also give you helpful printed materials, direct you to additional resources, and answer any questions that arise along the way.
Track your actions: our funders require us to report estimates of the amount of time that participants contribute to the project, the amount of area planted, and similar measures. We’ll provide a form that will help you keep track of the required information.
Certification: when you feel that your property meets the habitat certification criteria, contact us and we will review the checklist with you during an assessment visit. After your yard is certified, you can proudly display a sign (optional) that indicates the certification level achieved.
Please note that the program is on hold until we can secure sufficient funding. For more information contact Chris Junck: btor.chris.junck@gmail.com
SUPPORT THE BACK TO OUR ROOTS PROJECT
Photo: Louise Goulet
There are no fees or charges for the Back To Our Roots services and resource materials. Funding is provided by sponsors and individual donors like you. If you wish to make a donation to support GOERT projects, please contact Chris Junck: btor.chris.junck@gmail.com
PROJECT FUNDERS
We are grateful for the generous support that the project has received for 2016 and 2017 from:
- Environment Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program
- The Capital Regional District Parks & Environmental Services
- The Victoria Foundation Community Grant