Get an introduction to an increasingly popular phenomenon: Naturalization of open spaces. Everyone will have noticed evidence of this somewhere, even if only along the highway.

This program will show details of a presentation to city council by Kyla Moore advocating that Thunder Bay should join a large number of other Canadian jurisdictions that actively encourage the practice of urban naturalization.

There will be a showing of slides, including photographs of examples of urban naturalization already underway in Thunder Bay and the extent of this may surprise you. The slides also include commentary on the history and advantages of the practice. 

Included in the presentation will be comments from TBFN member Marg Schweitzer who practices naturalization on her rural property and has published two accounts of her experience in Nature Northwest.

For information on native plants in Northwestern Ontario, the Lakehead Region Conservation Area has published a list that you can find here: https://lakeheadca.com/application/files/3716/1728/5361/2021_Native_Plant_Resource_WEB.pdf.

For information on how to create a pollinator garden, Clement Kent has provided an extensive presentation on gardening and scientific knowledge. His publication can be found here.

COVID-19 protocols and screening will be in place. Maximum occupancy for this event is limited to 75 people.