A team of local youth dedicated to community service has expanded the native plant diversity in a central Nanaimo park.
Led by Youth 20/20 Can Nanaimo and Volunteer Nanaimo, the latest initiative introduced native fruits and foliage to Beaufort Park, located south of NRGH. The project, unveiled to the public on Friday, June 21, aims to support local ecology and enhance the park’s natural landscape.
According to Anni Thesen, a youth engagement worker with the initiative, the idea for the native plant garden arose during collaboration with the Beaufort Food Forest group, known for planting edible trees in the park since 2017.
“One of our youth suggested establishing a native plant garden to provide a habitat for pollinators and to complement the existing community garden,” Thesen explained.