• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Bowstrings Banff

The farther back one draws history’s string, the truer one's future aim.

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Goals and Values
    • Operating Principles
    • Governance
    • Partners
  • Projects
    • Banff’s Built Heritage
    • The Mountain School
      • Margaret Greenham
    • Rutherford Cottage
      • Alexander Rutherford
    • Kiguli Pithouse Dwellings of Banff
    • Heritage Homeowner Resources
  • Events
    • Our Shared History
    • Native Seed and Plant Exchange
  • Heritage Moments

Native Seed and Plant Exchange

Connecting to the place we live through what we grow: that is inspiration behind this annual Bowstrings event.

The inaugural gathering took place outside the Mountain School on June 19, 2021. The rain held off while over 50 participants learned and shared about native seed and plant propagation. “The exchange brought together a diverse group of people genuinely interested in the ecology of the Bow Valley,” said Banff Canmore Community Foundation (BCCF) board member Sandy Last, who attended and whose organization helped sponsor the event. Also present were two Indigenous storytellers. They introduced the crowd to new ways to appreciate common species like kinnikinnick and silverberry.

Chris Braisby, a native plant specialist, spoke to the value of replacing introduced species with plants that belong and thrive locally. Not only do they contribute to a healthy ecosystem, they are often easier to grow. As an added bonus, they are less likely to be devoured by the deer and bears with whom we share our Rocky Mountain home.

Intrigued? Learn more in this short PDF introduction. Go on a Medicine Walk with the Bow Valley Food Alliance, another 2021 sponsor. Start planning for 2022 by collecting and saving seeds (Reach out to us for location suggestions, as you may need a permit first). Celebrate the coming spring by growing additional native plants to share or exchange.

Gaillardia aristata were traditional prized for their medicinal qualities.
Illustration by Jane Newman

Stay Up To Date

Be part of the heritage projects initiated by Bowstrings Banff and its partners.

The information you provide will only be used to share stories and project updates, and invite your feedback.
We will respect your privacy, and your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Footer

Explore

The Next Chapter: Get Involved

A Few Surprising Trends

Contact Us

[javascript protected email address]

Banff has long been a place where early peoples came in peace to the foot of Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain by the Holy Springs. In the spirit of respect, reciprocity, and truth, we honour and acknowledge the deep and enduring memory of this valley held by Ktunaxa, Secwepemc, Métis, Dene & Tsuut’ina, Mountain Cree, Siksika & other Blackfoot, and Stoney Nakoda peoples. We acknowledge both the Treaty of 1877, Treaty Seven, and the Treaty of 1895 between the salmon and buffalo peoples. We are grateful to live here and live together with all our relations.

Bowstrings Heritage Foundation – PO Box 2952 Banff, AB, Canada T1L 1C6 – Privacy Policy