SURREY Parks is giving away thousands of ‘Skelkelosen Pollinator Seed Blend’ packs this spring. Created in collaboration with Coast Salish Plant Nursery, the initiative aims to increase biodiversity, attract pollinators, and raise awareness of the important cultural uses of these native-to-B.C. wildflowers.
“The Skelkelosen Pollinator Seed Blend packs are an example of the City’s commitment to the environment,” said Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum on Thursday. “Developed in collaboration with the Coast Salish Plant Nursery and featuring local seeds that will enhance and complement the City’s biodiversity, we are proud to be able to share this special seed blend with our community.”
While Surrey Parks has previously handed out free seed packs, this is the first time they have collaborated with Coast Salish Plant Nursery to create a custom pack that improves biodiversity and habitat value for local wildlife. This initiative aims to support the nursery’s work in reconciliation through conservation. The mix of native wildflowers will attract pollinators, beneficial insects, and birds. Most are heat and drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and will do well in containers. Many also have medicinal properties and other human uses.
Skelkelosen means dream – or vision – in Xwlemi Chosen, a language shared among North Straits Nations. This language, along with SENĆOŦEN, is being revitalized by the Semiahmoo people of Surrey. Bee artwork by Semiahmoo artists Roxanne Charles, and Easton and Feather Arnouse is featured on the packs.
In all, 4,000 of the Skelkelosen Pollinator Seed Blend packs will be given away. The giveaway began at the recent Party for the Planet celebration. More will be given away at select ‘Environmental Extravaganza’ events, as supplies last. Others will be distributed to Surrey Parks volunteers and more are destined to be given away to teachers and school groups.
The packs will be distributed at the following programs/events:
* Youth Invasive Plant Removal, May 20
* Nature Work Party, May 21
* Meeting with Plants a Guided Walk, May 26
* Picnic with Pollinators, May 28
* Seed Library, May 28
* Green Timbers Open Forest, May 29
Further event details can be found here.
Learn more about the Skelkelosen Pollinator Seed Blend and watch a video featuring Indigenous Ethnobotanist Cease Wyss T’uy’t’tanat here.
