Design and Process 

The garden is designed as a demonstration of the native plants that are suited to the southern Saskatchewan ecoregion. These native plants thrive, live longer, support more species and don't require added resources like fertilizer and pesticides nor water beyond rainfall. The plants are suited to the soil and habitat already there. The garden is designated as a Monarch Way Station and on the  David Suzuki Foundation Butterflyway, and it supports the diversity of plants and wildlife in the city and reduces flooding risks.

The Project Leader has years of experience caring for native plants organically; ten years mentored by a biologist and landscapers dedicated to organically growing native plants. The garden stewards consult a local Organic Master Gardener, the Royal Saskatchewan Museum Curators of Entomology and Vertebrate Zoology, and specialists in the Conservation Data Centre and Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan for advice. There are four core garden volunteers who have extensive knowledge and experience in wildlife, natural habitats, and growing native plants in an urban setting.

Community Collaboration

The garden is in its third year of a five year rejuvenation plan. Going forward, there will be successive five year plans between Nature Regina, the Royal Saskatchewan Museum and the Wascana Capital Commission. The volunteer garden leader organizes volunteers from the general public to tend the garden. In 2021, they had twenty-six general public volunteers and a further twenty-five volunteers from the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s Wild Outside Youth Leadership program. By promoting native plants and healthy soil, they are demonstrating how to create a healthy understory beneath the tree canopy. 

The Royal Saskatchewan Museum uses the garden for programming & research.  They give away seeds from the garden & advice on organic native plant gardening to the general public. They are currently further extending their outreach to  children's groups such as younger Guide and Scout troops to encourage all ages to  learn about gardening for wildlife. Another Nature Regina project uses the garden for family nature events.  For additional public outreach, they host webinars on gardening with native plants through the Regina Public Library, Nature Regina & the Native Prairie Restoration & Reclamation Workshop.

For more information, visit the Nature Regina Facebook page. 

Virtual Tour of Nature Regina's Demonstration Garden 

Presented by Gail Fennell