Autumn is commonly associated with harvest time, but a horticulturist from the St’át’imc, Nêhiyaw, and mixed European backgrounds in Metro Vancouver suggests that it’s an ideal season to kickstart the growth of native plants. Shayla Chalifoux, a member of the Sekw’el’was community, also known as Cayoose Creek Band, emphasized that the warm soil post-summer, coupled with abundant rainfall, provides a smooth transition for the plants.
Chalifoux, the founder of Shaylish Plants, actively promotes the inclusion of native plants in British Columbia to Indigenize plant spaces. Contrary to the common belief that spring is the prime planting season, she highlighted that many native plants thrive best when planted in the fall, such as sweetgrass and camas bulbs.
Sweetgrass, utilized for smudging and ceremonial purposes, typically grows in proximity to rivers, lake edges, and wet meadows. Although historically associated with the plains, Chalifoux revealed that sweetgrass is recognized as a native plant in British Columbia as well. The significance of native plants, like camas bulbs, as a traditional food source for various First Nations communities, including the Quw’utsun Nation and Songhees Nation, was underscored.
Despite the essential role of native plants in maintaining biodiversity, Chalifoux lamented the lack of awareness and incorporation of native plants in urban settings. She stressed the importance of considering native plants not only for aesthetic purposes but also for their ecological benefits. The rich plant biodiversity in British Columbia, boasting over 2,500 native vascular plant species alongside numerous lichens, mosses, and fungi, presents an opportunity for individuals to contribute to land conservation by cultivating native plants in their own spaces.
Chalifoux urged the public to embrace native plants due to their ecological significance, emphasizing the vital role they play in supporting local ecosystems and wildlife. While acknowledging a shift towards recognizing the value of native plants, she highlighted the need for municipal policies to mandate the inclusion of native plants in urban landscaping projects. In response to inquiries, the City of Vancouver indicated its commitment to enhancing urban green spaces by incorporating native plants in consultation with local First Nations, citing initiatives like the addition of Pacific yew to the Stanley Park Restoration project as a prime example. Moreover, the city mentioned its efforts to supply native plants for ecological restoration in Vancouver parks through collaborations with non-profits and community groups hosting community planting events.