Progress and Plans
The Native Plant Garden, a Lions Bay Community Project, has progressed considerably since last year's June "Green Day". Very significant support came from Council. which 'adopted' the Native Plant Group in Fall 2010. Under its jurisdiction, grants may be applied for and tax receipts issued to benefactors.
A team - albeit small - began work by evicting the tall Himalayan Brambles, English Ivy, Broom, Chinese Lonicera, etc which had consumed at least a third of the site. As soon as these were cleared along came non-native weeds which were cleared constantly in the growing season. Our friendly and efficient works crew removed both green waste as well as an accumulation of discarded domestic and building debris. They also gave us a morning of loosening the toughest bramble roots. With the paths now cleared and marked out on the re-claimed site, a delivery of wood chips and a topping of bark mulch is awaited to spread by 'bucket brigade' to make a safe and comfortable surface to walk on.
Care was taken not to disturb good Sword Ferns, Snowberry, Mahonia, Salal and other native residents on the site. Any that had to be moved were transplanted immediately.
Considerable relief was realized this Spring when it became known that the new water mains would not encroach on the community garden site. Access to a suitable water line for a permanent watering system was installed, essential during long dry spells.
Last year some young hemlocks and cedars, generously donated by residents, were planted. These trees will give privacy to neighbours until native shrubs are available to replace them, and may be pruned occasionally to an acceptable height.
An initial purchase of some small trees and bushes was made possible by the two first donations to the Community Project earlier this year. These, together with two more in kind gifts were planted and will be the 'Bones of the Garden' to stabilize the upper bank and not grow too high. Soon, several drifts of native ferns already in place will clothe parts of the bank, along with planned carpets of ground covers - Wild Lily of the Valley, small Cornus canadensis, the tiny Creeping Dogwood, Kinnikkinnick and Twin Flower are some of our many choices. Some native species being grown from seed will represent a substantial cost saving.
At the low (west) end of the Garden - the future entrance - there is planned a small open 'welcoming' shelter, a place for anyone to pause when walking to or from the beach, and to provide an interesting Educational Display Board. For this venture, novel design proposals for the shelter feature from those 'in the business' would be most appreciated. Some pick-and-shovel work has already been done to create holes for concrete footings.
And last but not least, a big "Thank you" to all who have contributed in one way or another to the beginning of the Lions Bay Educational Native Plant Garden. There is much to be done in various ways, as we seek to preserve and restore our original bio-diversity within Lions Bay, to build support, and to acquire funding. Everyone is welcome. Contact Mary Comber Miles (phone 604-921-7842) or Louis Peterson ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , phone 604-921-7260).
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