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FireSmart BC launches program to promote fire-resistant plants

April 26, 2022 By FireSmart BC

Video still: FireSmart tag on plant.

FireSmart BC has launched a virtual FireSmart landscaping hub and plant program in over 30 garden centres across British Columbia. The goal is to help consumers make better informed choices about how to manage their lawns and gardens and increase their resilience to wildfire.

The online FireSmart landscaping hub provides a place for learning about fire-resistant vegetation and landscaping practices, featuring an interactive fire-resistant plants tool, downloadable landscaping guide, as well as a list of the participating Garden Centres. The in-store plant program visually shows gardeners which plants are considered more fire-resistant at the point of purchase through visible tags and signage.

“We need to take a second look at plants that can become fire hazards,” says Brian Minter, Master Gardner and BC’s go-to garden expert. “With great resources like the FireSmart landscaping guide and local experts, all of us have the resources to be able to make our landscapes much more FireSmart. You don’t need to be an expert.”

See the full video of Minter discussing FireSmart landscaping here: https://firesmartbc.ca/landscaping-hub/ and listen to Minter on FireSmart BC’s latest podcast episode.

“By making strategic choices in your yard, you can increase the wildfire resiliency of your property,” said Kelsey Winter, Chair of the BC FireSmart Committee. “Landscaping is a simple and impactful way to protect your property ahead of wildfire season.”

Physical copies of the FireSmart BC Landscaping Guide are now available for pickup in participating garden centres and available for download at FireSmartBC.ca/landscaping-hub. The program complements the Canadian Garden Council’s proclamation that 2022 is the Year of the Garden, celebrating the centennial of Canada’s ornamental horticulture sector and honouring the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association’s 100-year anniversary.

Learn more about all of the elements of FireSmart Landscaping by watching the video here: