Welcome to the Native Plant Study Group!

Next NPSG Meeting and Speaker:

Thursday March 21 2024 at 7:00pm

at Swan Lake Nature House (with Plant Raffle!)

TALK Topic: Where Have All The Insects Gone?

on Zoom with Linda Gilkeson

Where: ZOOM & Swan Lake Nature House

When: Thursday March 21, 2024 at 7:00pm

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. NOTE: Some email accounts from Outlook and Hotmail may not receive the confirmation email due to strict spam filters. Registration link will also be sent via the NPSG email newsletter. Please send us an email at nativeplantstudygroup@gmail.com if you have problems or questions.

About Talk

Note: This talk will be broadcast on the big screen at the Nature House as Linda is on Saltspring Island and joining us virtually.

Global insect populations have crashed over the last couple of decades. Joined renowned gardener, Linda Gilkeson to learn why this matters for our food supply, for a healthy environment, and the future of wildlife. Find out the latest research into the many factors contributing to the widespread decline and how gardeners can help to reduce the harm from some of these factors by improving insect habitat in their yards.

You’ll need a computer, smartphone, or tablet to join this virtual session, which will be held on Zoom.

Linda Gilkeson earned a Ph.D. in Entomology from McGill University in 1986, then moved to British Columbia to work for Applied Bio-Nomics Ltd., a company that produces biological controls. From 1991 to 2002, she worked for the provincial government, promoting programs to reduce and eliminate pesticide use. She was head of the provincial State of Environment Reporting Unit for the next six years, then the Executive Director of the Salt Spring Island Conservancy until the end of 2011. Linda now devotes her time to writing, teaching and consulting.

Linda’s comprehensive gardening book, Backyard Bounty: The Complete Guide to year-Round Organic Gardening in the Pacific Northwest, is a BC best seller. She has just published a newly revised and expanded 3rd edition of her comprehensive pest management guide, West Coast Gardening: Natural Insect, Weed & Disease Control. In the past, she has co-authored pest management training manuals for the provincial government and organic gardening books for Rodale Press and now focuses on publishing books for local gardeners.

As a private consultant, Linda is a regular instructor in the Master Gardener programs in BC and is busy year around giving workshops on pest management and organic gardening. Linda has served as President of the Entomological Society of Canada, the Professional Pest Management Association of BC, the Entomological Society of BC and the Salt Spring Island Garden Club. She was awarded a Queen’s Jubilee medal in 2003 and an outstanding achievement award from the Professional Pest Management Association of BC in 2005.

To learn more about Linda, visit her website: lindagilkeson.ca

Meeting Program

  • 7:00-7:15 Welcome and Introductions
  • 7:20-8:20 Presentation (including questions)
  • 8:20-8:30 Tea & Cookies break
  • 8:30-8:40 NPSG Announcements, Upcoming Events, Question Jar
  • 8:40-9:00 Raffle + Social

Territorial Acknowledgement:

The Native Plant Study Group respectfully acknowledges that we meet on the unceded territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ and Lekwungen Peoples. We are a garden group with a strong interest in gardening with native plants for their aesthetic, intrinsic, and conservation values. We gratefully recognize the longstanding stewards of these plants and ecosystems, as well as their cultural significance.

We encourage a safe and respectful space for everyone to learn along with us in the process of decolonization.


Native Plant Study Group is on Zoom!

NPSG is still using Zoom to host our monthly talks, and we host in-person events as well. Meeting details will be sent out via the NPSG email newsletter. If you would like to become a member, please see our Membership Info.

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Who We Are

The Native Plant Study Group is dedicated to learning about the native plants of British Columbia as wild populations and in garden settings, while promoting their use and conservation. Our diverse membership ranges from biologists to hobby gardeners, from horticulturists to plant enthusiasts.
General meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month from September to May (except December) and feature a speaker, draw for native plants, and discussion.

NPSG Brochure

Many thanks to our Sustaining Supporters!

These businesses provide discounts to our active members:

Territorial Acknowledgement:

The Native Plant Study Group respectfully acknowledges that we meet on the unceded territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ and Lekwungen Peoples. We are a garden group with a strong interest in gardening with native plants for their aesthetic, intrinsic, and conservation values. We gratefully recognize the longstanding stewards of these plants and ecosystems, as well as their cultural significance.

We encourage a safe and respectful space for everyone to learn along with us in the process of decolonization.