The Climate Clever Gardener
At Elk Root Conservation’s Educational Demonstration Farm (ERC) in Vallican, BC, we believe that local food security and protecting the planet go hand in hand. We are a certified organic educational demonstration farm, orchard and apiary. The certified organic standard is fantastic, which is why we certified the entire ERC demonstration farm. However, at ERC, we love to geek out! We apply cutting-edge, outside-the-box gardening approaches to adapt to climate change and improve the environment, while feeding the future of all our diverse community members, whether winged, web-footed, finned, or human alike.
Join instructor Kate Mizenka, the creator of the Sustainable Apiary Model, and the Restoration Farm Gardens & Apiary Director at Elk Root Conservation, to learn tips and tools that will transform your garden in this three-part webinar series.
Webinar Series Format:
Webinar 1 - Saturday, Mar 14, 2026 at 10 am (for 60 minutes)
Webinars 2 & 3 - Thursdays, Mar 26 & Apr 9 at 6-7 pm (for 60 minutes)
Webinar 1: Your Best Food Garden EVER - Garden the ERC Way
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
Whether you are a gardening ‘newbie’ with a single pot on your deck, have a sweet back-yard plot, or are a certified organic farmer with acres of growing space, this webinar will expand your mind, transform your garden, and benefit the environment.
During this webinar, you will learn to apply Elk Root Conservation’s organic regenerative agricultural advancements (ORAA) to grow your best garden EVER. Our ORAA incorporates climate change-adaptive and chemical-free approaches to enhance the biodiversity and productivity of your garden. Learn to improve soil health, conserve water and other resources, choose the best plants and materials for your conditions, and welcome beneficial insects necessary to support the health and pollination of your food garden.
Visit our registration page for course locations, times and fees.
Webinar 2: Planting for Pollinators
Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
Want to plant a pollinator-friendly flower garden that bees and butterflies will love, or create a honey bee forage buffet on your farm or apiary? Not sure where to start? Whether you are looking to start a garden from scratch or supplement your existing gardens with bee-friendly blooms, this course is for you.
During this webinar, you will be guided through how to plan, prepare, select, design and plant a sustainable flower habitat that you will LOVE and bees will thank you for!
Visit our registration page for course locations, times and fees.
Webinar 3: Gardening with Native Plants
Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026
This webinar will introduce you to native plant gardening and the basics of creating your own native plant garden, flower meadow, and how to incorporate native plants into your existing gardens to support biodiversity and native pollinators.
Native plants are different from ‘wild-flowers’ that, while pretty in your backyard, are likely not native to your local area. At ERC, we recognize native plants as an Indigenous heritage resource. We have curated the local ecotype* native plants living in the ERC Native Plant Gardens & Nursery, respecting the protocols and practices of the Sinixt Peoples. With guidance, we have selectively and sustainably wild-harvested seeds, making the collection of local ecotype native plants in ERC’s gardens available for propagation and seed collection for habitat restoration projects and home gardens. Local ecotype native plants are well-adapted to their regional climate, requiring less water and resources, making them an eco-conscious choice to support regional biodiversity.
**Local ecotype means the plant has genetically evolved and adapted over a very long period of time to the soil and climate conditions of a particular area.
Visit our registration page for course locations, times and fees.