In collaboration with Facility Services- Grounds and the Campus Community Garden, native plant species are welcomed into a new area on campus. Replacing two grass patches in River Commons (between Lambton and CHS) with 14 native, pollinator-friendly plant species!
This garden aims to:
- Restore natural habitats
- Support pollinators and wildlife
- Protect local biodiversity
- Serve as a living space for conservation and education while fostering connections with community and nature
Over 70 native plants comprising of 14 different species were planted in September 2026 by Faculty of Education students as part of a Campus as a Living Lab Initiative. Plants included:
- Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)
- Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)
- Dwarf Blazing Star (Liatris cylindricea)
- Rough Blazing Star (Liatris aspera)
- Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
- Field Pussytoes (Antennaria neglecta)
- Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea)
- Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum)
- Spotted Beebalm (Monarda punctata)
- Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
- Grey Headed Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata)
- False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides)
- Red Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
(Webpage is under construction...updates coming by Oct 2026)
A full list of plant species coming soon (common and Latin names, along with Indigenous names and names in French, where possible)
This project was the recipient of the WWF-Canada Go Wild Grant 2025. We gratefully acknowledge the support of WWF-Canada.