Learn about native plant gardening and carbon sequestration

Comox Valley Nature invites the public to our in-person April general meeting as follows:

A native plant garden.
(Photo: Royann Petrell)

Date: Sunday, April 28, 2024
Time: 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. PT
Location: Main hall of Comox United Church, 250 Beach Drive, Comox
Keynote Presentation: Native plant gardening and carbon sequestration
Speaker: Royann Petrell

In addition to the keynote presentation, CVN activity leaders will give brief updates so you can learn about our ongoing activities such as birding, botany, and conservation and restoration. If you are new to Comox Valley Nature, find out more about us here. We always welcome new members.


A native plant garden over a grassy lawn is not only beneficial for wildlife and pollinators but also has the potential to sequester carbon. When carbon is sequestered in a garden, carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and held in the soil. The process plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Dr. Royann Petrell (Associate Professor Emerita, University of British Columbia) will provide background material about native plant gardening and some information about an event planned for June 15, 2024 at Steller Raven Ecological Farm. There will be time for questions and discussion from the audience.

Royann worked on a carbon sequestration research project for Project Watershed for three years and became very interested in how the process works. Royann and her husband Sylvain have been rehabilitating much of their 7.5 acre Steller Raven Ecological farm with native shrubs and trees, wildlife trees, ponds and streams, and over the last five years, native Vancouver Island grasses and flowering plants. Plants most suitable for carbon sequestration are long-lived and rooted perennials that are adapted to our wet winters and hot and dry summers.

Sapsucker feeding on a native bitter cherry. (Photo: Royann Petrell)

To date, 95 bird species have been observed on the farm, and many breed there. Recently 16 bee hives have been installed. In early spring the bees collect pollen from willows and native flowering shrubs!  Royann is keen to describe her progress and delight in how to plant a carbon-sequestration native garden. Her hope is that native gardening will catch on for the betterment of the Comox Valley.

Volunteers will be needed to help out at the June 15 event.  A list of volunteer positions will be available for people to sign up at the April 28 meeting. Funding for the June event is from a BC Nature Donor grant.

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