Nov. 11, 2010, Victoria, B.C. – Two plant horticulture projects are among 22 new projects being funded by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C. (IAF).
The IAF is contributing up to $1.5 million toward all the new projects that are designed to help the B.C. agri-food industry adapt, diversify and grow.
The list includes new projects contracted between May 1 and August 31, 2010. Funding for these projects is provided by IAF through programs it delivers on behalf of the federal and provincial governments.
The plant projects are both sponsored by the B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association.
• Green Roof Plants: Elevated Research Platform Dual Track Research Project ($108,172) – Green roofs have proven beneficial in addressing climate change, energy efficiency, and other environmental concerns. This three-year research project will evaluate green roof technologies that support vegetation growth on rooftops, improve air and water quality, and reduce energy costs and will help the ornamental nursery sector gain access to this quickly expanding market.
• Nursery Industry Adaptation to National Phytosanitary Certification Program to Minimize Risk of Importing Invasive Alien Species ($165,391) – The B.C. nursery industry was threatened in 2004 when a plant disease called Phytophthora ramorum was found in several B.C. nurseries. In response, industry developed a program to minimize the threat of moving P. ramorum into B.C. This project will help nursery growers adopt the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s new Domestic Phytosanitary Certification Program in order to move from a single-pest certification program to an overarching nursery certification program.
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