Areas around a transitional housing complex in Snuneymuxw First Nation territory now look a lot greener with the planting of a 'mini forest'. (Rotary Club of Nanaimo)

By Alex Rawnsley

plants on plants

New Nanaimo ‘mini forest’ believed to be first of its kind on Vancouver Island

May 19, 2024 | 5:25 AM

NANAIMO — It’s believed to be the first of its kind display on Vancouver Island and is combing mental and physical wellbeing with environmental protection.

Representatives from Rotary Club of Nanaimo, Snuneymuxw First Nation and Green Communities Canada recently installed a ‘mini forest’ at a newly-opened transitional housing complex on the First Nation territory.

Club president Rebecca Taylor said over 1,100 native plants were placed close together to create a self-sustaining environment.

“It’s really about doing a large number of plants in a small area and what happens with that is it causes them to grow a little bit faster and creates this mini habitat that’s also more natural than a more formal landscaped environment.”

Plants were a mixture of ground covers, vines, perennials, ferns, broadleaf evergreen shrubs, deciduous shrubs, deciduous trees, plus a few small arbutus.

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Blue Elderberry, Garry Oak and Highbush Cranberry were among the species planted.

Rotary were represented by project leads Brenda Grice and John Shillabeer, while Matthew Stephens from SFN and Emila Amon from Green Communities Canada also worked on the display.

Volunteers from Rotary helped plant the over 1,100 trees, shrubs and other greenery earlier this month. (Rotary Club of Nanaimo)

Taylor said they were initially just out to create a more inviting, outdoor landscaping space at the housing complex.

One of their members is a retired landscape architect.

“We had the subject matter expertise, we had the funding we wanted to contribute and that’s where Green Communities Canada got involved. The idea developed from throwing in some plants to creating this mini-forest.”

Taylor added the mini forest project was a way to blend several things Rotary looks for in funding a project, namely mental and physical wellbeing for people in community as well as being environmentally responsible.

“With the idea of the transitional housing creating an environment for residents there that is more welcoming and I think from a mental health perspective when you’re surrounded by nature, that has some benefits for them.”

Several Arbutus trees were included in the planting at the transitional housing complex in Snuneymuxw First Nation. (Rotary Club of Nanaimo)

Despite only being in the ground for a couple of weeks, the new greenery is already having a positive impact.

“On a site visit last week, a hummingbird was visiting the columbine already, Grice added. “Several butterflies and other birds and bees have also been spotted.”

Rotary Club of Nanaimo contributed $13,500 in funding towards the project, with Green Communities Canada donating $10,000 and the City of Nanaimo another $3,000.

SFN were responsible for site preparation, top soil and some logistics.

Most plants were purchased from a stores in Bowser and Nanaimo, while Cinnabar Farms donated mulch.

Over 1,100 plants, vines, shrubs and other greenery were planted as part of a partnership between Rotary, Green Communities Canada and Snuneymuxw First Nation. (Rotary Club of Nanaimo)

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