Conservation at the Gardens

The Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens provides a living gene bank for the native flora of the Acadian Forest Region. Research is presently taking place at Acadia University using the facilities at the Gardens to promote the conservation and recovery of endangered plant species. The plantings at the Gardens are all native species to our region. This green space on the campus of Acadia University attracts butterflies and birds to the area and provides habitat for a wide variety of wildlife species. To learn about growing native plants in your own garden, Click here 

Native Plants

At the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens we refer to native plants as those species that existed in the Acadian Forest Region before European settlement. Native plants have evolved slowly over time in response to biotic and physical processes unique to our region. The pollinators that these plants require for fertility are present and they have adapted to local climatic conditions and environmental factors as well as the soils and habitats of the Acadian Forest Region. For more information on the role that Botanical Gardens play in plant conservation visit the Botanical Gardens Conservation International.

Endangered Plants

Nova Scotia has five vascular plant species presently listed as endangered. The Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens holds living specimens of four of these species for the purpose of conservation and research. These species are protected under both the Nova Scotia Endangered Species Act and the federal Species at Risk Act.