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.
Illustration by Jane Newman