There is both joy and challenge in gardening for wildlife. Gardening for wildlife requires different approaches and strategies -- even a different mind-set! -- from regular gardening. Join Rebecca Last, Master Gardener, to learn the characteristics of plants and garden design that will help you create a wildlife-friendly garden, strategies for including food, shelter, and water, and practices that will encourage birds and beneficial insects to make their home in your garden. We will discuss Resources specific to the Ottawa area.
Rebecca Last has been gardening on and off since age 8, and has been a member of Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton since 2005. Her small suburban garden is certified by the Canadian Wildlife Federation as wildlife habitat. Rebecca grows a dozen or more varieties of heritage tomatoes every year. Her garden design includes elements of permaculture and she has recently begun experimenting with biodynamic gardening techniques. Rebecca has been honoured by the Ottawa Horticultural Society with: the Mary Bryant Award for use of native plants in garden design (2014); the Members’ Appreciation Award (2015); and the Ontario Horticultural Association Service Award for meritorious service to horticulture (2017). In 2018, Rebecca received an Ontario Volunteer Service Award in recognition of her ten years of service with Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton. Rebecca’s gardening addiction is enabled by her loving husband Richard and a collection of very spoiled rescue cats.