Promoting
Wildfire Resilient Gardens
on Salt Spring Island
WHAT I OFFER
I offer wildfire resiliency garden consultation and education services to assist homeowners reduce their risk of wildfire loss. I integrate wildfire defence guidelines with the principles of permaculture to help residents cultivate wildfire resiliency, biodiversity and mimicry of natural processes on their properties.
​
While the threat of wildfires may seem far away from our home, Salt Spring Island, we are not immune to wildfires. In the 2023 report, "Community Wildfire Resiliency for Salt Spring Island", our island was rated as being at moderate wildfire risk. However all modelling suggests that globally summer's heat and droughts will continue to increase. On Salt Spring we love our homes tucked into our forests, combine this with our changing environment we may not always enjoy a moderate rating. To better understand our risk, grab a tea and watch the CRD presentation: Salt Spring on Fire (2023).
​​
WHAT IS WILDFIRE RESILIENT GARDENING?
Wildfire resilient gardening involves designing and maintaining gardens to reduce the risk of wildfire loss in the event of a wildfire. The choices we make of the types of vegetation we plant and where has an effect on how a wildfire and fire embers will behave on our property. Having defensible space, healthy soil and an ability to retain or conserve water in the landscape are also practices that increase the resiliency of our gardens. Wildfire resilient plant choices can also be pollinator friendly, bio-accummulators, nitrogen fixers and contribute to food security. Strategically using vegetation can make your gardens resilient and beautiful.
less wildfire resilient
WHO I AM
I am grateful to be a resident of Salt Spring Island. I share with islanders my love of our beautiful little island. To assist homeowner adapt to our new wildfire reality I offer my experience and knowledge in ecosystem conservation, forestry, permaculture and organic master gardening. I am also a FireSmart Ambassador and Local FireSmart Representative. When required I work with other garden and land care specialists to assist homeowners in planning and maintaining beautiful, wildfire resilient gardens, and in the delivery of wildfire resilient gardening education. Learn more about JENNIE.
EDUCATION & RESOURCES
I know Salt Spring Island is abundant with many keen gardeners who are very capable of cultivating wildfire resiliency into their gardens and properties. For those who need a little assistance I provide wildfire resilient garden consultations. In my "free resources" tab I provide links to a variety of videos, reports, and fact sheets related to wildfire resileint gardening, invasive plants and permaculture. I also offer in conjunction with my daughter, Garden Alchemist, occasional online and in person workshops covering these same topics.
​​​
​
​
HOW TO CONTACT ME
Email your questions and requests for a site consultation HERE.
I strive to reply to your email within 24 hours.
​
​
​
​
