History
In 1998-1999, our group (originally known as the Edmonton Naturalization Group) formed in an effort to save a small natural area, called Little Mountain, that included a prairie remnant. When it was lost and the developer cut down the trees, we were given permission to rescue a diversity of plant species. It was clear that we had to find some way to preserve our local native species, as their remaining habitat was disappearing so quickly.
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The City of Edmonton helped us to find land at their Old Man Creek Nursery where we could keep rescued plants and grow plants from seed. We started collecting and growing out seeds to start a seed bank to preserve the genetic diversity of our local native plants.
In August 2017, we decided to become a not-for-profit under the Alberta Societies Act.
Highlights
2003
Our first demonstration bed was completed at the John Janzen Nature Centre. It features wildflowers and grasses and shows gardeners how these native plants would look when planted in a regular perennial bed.
2004
ENPS published Go Wild!, a gardening book containing information on how to grow native species. It is available for purchase at our events and select local retailers.
2006
Nisku Prairie was protected with ENPS involvement.
Around 2006, Shooting Star Hill, an area in the river valley full of shooting stars, was destroyed.
2008
We won an Emerald Award for conserving and celebrating Edmonton's native plants.
There was an extensive native plant rescue at the Paul Wong property.
2011
A member of the cacti club showed us where cacti are growing along the Sturgeon River Valley and the following year, work began on protecting the area. As a result of these efforts, three years later, it was recognized as Gibbons Badlands Prairie.
2012
ENPS applied for, and was granted, another native plant demonstration bed on the grounds of the Muttart Conservatory. It is located at the northwest corner of the parking lot.
2013
We came across a remnant prairie and got permission to collect seeds from the owner. A plant rescue was carried out when a strip next to the road was going to be destroyed for road widening.
2015
We signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Edmonton and started providing seeds so they could grow them out.
2016
We took part in an experiment with the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society of Alberta (AWES) to see how seeds would germinate if they were broadcast by hand.
2018
We planted a native plant bed at the Land Stewardship Centre.
Due to new rules, ENPS was no longer able to operate out of the City's Old Man Creek Nursery so we rescued as many of the plants from those beds as we could.
We were invited to take part in restoration work out at Bunchberry Meadows, a property jointly managed by the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Edmonton and Area Land Trust. There are six beds maintained by ENPS members.
2019
ENPS was the recipient of a creative sentencing order of $20,000 from the Province of Alberta. The Wagner Natural Area Eco-islands were developed over two years using these funds.
2020
ENPS began a series of presentations related to native plants held on Zoom.
2022
ENPS worked with students and teachers at the Inner City High to develop and learn to maintain a native plant bed.