Native Plant Society of British Columbia | Conservation & Stewardship

Plants are the foundation of life. They provide us with oxygen, filter our drinking water, control erosion, provide protection

Native plants are the foundation of all our ecosystems, as well as sources of food, medicine and housing. They also provide a variety of wild creatures with habitat that provides food, shelter and a place to rear their young. For many of us, native plants also provide much in the way of beauty and wonder.

In a word, native plants are invaluable.

Unfortunately, our native plants face all kinds of pressures, from residential and commercial development near cities and towns to invasive species that outcompete them for space, water, nutrients and light.

So, what can you do to help conserve native plants?

You can join the Native Plant Society of BC and help promote knowledge about native plants in our province, as well as promote the sustainable use of those species and protection for those species at risk.
You can learn more about BC's plant species at risk. Using the BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer on the BC Ministry of Environment's website, you can search in a variety of ways. You can search by plant name, by general group (e.g. vascular plants), by conservation status and more. Each species has a record and some provide significant information about the species.
Click here to see a list of the 312 vascular plant species that are red-listed (extirpated, endangered or threatened) in BC.
Click here to see a list of the 306 vascular plant species that are blue-listed (of special concern) in BC.
If you know of a natural area that is slated for development and that would mean loss of native plants or native plant habitat, let us know. In some cases, it might be appropriate to salvage native plants and replant them elsewhere. Here are two documents with important information:
A personal take on the ethics of plant rescue by former NPSBC director Moralea Milne
Guidelines for salvaging native plants

Coming soon: Guidelines for ethical collecting of native plants

Trillium ovatum (Western trillium)

NPSBC members:

Understand that plants are essential to all life
Acknowledge the intrinsic value of native plants and habitats
Recognize the botanical history and diversity of the province
Acknowledge human impacts on native plants and habitats
Are respectful of and receptive to First Nations' traditional knowledge and unique relationship with the plant world
Conserve native plants and habitats and maintain biodiversity of natural ecosystems
Preserve and protect rare native plant species and habitats
Promote restoration of altered land and reintroduction of appropriate native plant species
Encourage establishment of native plants in developed areas
Share knowledge and promote understanding of native plants and habitats

NPSBC Native Plant Society of British Columbia
Suite 195 -1917 West 4th Avenue
Vancouver BC V6J 1M7
T: 604.255.5719
Email us