Native Plant Depot is a GaLTT initiative to encourage people to plant native species. The goal overall is to support habitat restoration and biodiversity on our island.
You can find it at the Gabriola Commons, near the stage by the West entrance (that’s the entrance closest to the skate park).
Here’s how it works:
- Donate spare native plants that you want to send to a good home (pick up pots at the depot).
- Pick up free plants that others have donated to plant on your property.
- Plants are usually labeled by species for easy ID and we have put up an info chart so you can learn about habitat requirements.
- The Depot is only open in spring, fall and winter, when it’s appropriate to transplant—please do not donate plants in the summer since we don’t have a source of water. Check the graphic on GaLTT’s home page if you are unsure whether it’s open.
- If you wish to make a monetary donation for your plants you can click on the Donate button in our header bar.
Why a Native Plant Depot?
GaLTT strongly encourages people to remove invasive plants, which can seriously harm ecosystems.
- To really control them, you have to replace invasive plants with something else—preferably native species—so that new invasives cannot spread into the space.
- Suitable attractive native plants include Oregon grape, sword fern, Nootka rose, flowering currant, salmonberry and many others.
- Native plants:
- Have adapted to local conditions over time. This optimizes their ability to provide food and habitat for other species and contribute to the resilience of a healthy, well-functioning ecosystem that supports other species—including humans.
- Often require less maintenance than introduced plants (after being watered regularly their first year).
What else can I do to help?
Join our Native Plant Recovery Team!
We need more people to help dig up and pot plants for free adoption from the Native Plant Depot. This is a flexible hour-long commitment with no expectation that you would be available every time. Contact volunteers@galtt.ca.
Pass on our info!
Is someone clearing land in your neighbourhood? Ask the landholders or contractors who are working to consider letting our recovery team work with them to rescue plants that would otherwise be destroyed.
Plant more native plants!
You can find info on how to provide for them and much more on our Nature Stewards Resources page, especially under the In the Garden section. If on-island sources can’t supply what you need, seeds and plant starts can be supplied by the Nanaimo Area Land Trust’s Native Plant Nursery and Satinflower Nursery (who have provided seeds and plant plugs for Drumbeg restoration).
