Natural lawns and gardens have huge benefits. They are attractive, easy to care for, require little water, and are environmental friendly. Plus, they provide much needed habitat for many species of plants and animals.

If you are committed to best practices for wildlife and waterways, and you want to set an example for your community, consider becoming a Habitat Steward.

Check out the articles below for project ideas, native plant suggestions for Vancouver Island gardens, inspiration to start or expand your wildlife friendly garden.

Where to Begin?

For beginning native plant gardeners, check out HAT's guide Gardening with Native Plants. Information, links, and ideas can be found in the menu at the bottom of this page. More experienced gardeners seeking more information about growing or propogating a specific plant may wish to check out the Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team's site on Native Plant Propagation Guidelines. Those wishing to salvage and transplant native plants that will be otherwise lost through development should consider participating in the District of Saanich's Native Plant Salvage Program. It is also a good idea to be familiar with invasive plants, which are often found in wildflower mixes. The Coastal Invasive Plant Committee has a wealth of information on identifying and managing these damaging invaders. If you are seeking information and detailed plans for wildlife feeding or habitat structures, you should look at Naturescape BC's Provincial Guide (2.5MB PDF) for ideas, sample plans, and more.