Time for Nature

Plants without Borders

June 14, 2004

Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada

Upper Waterton Lake & Waterton townsite
© Parks Canada, W. Lynch,1982

With the help of volunteers, staff at Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada in Alberta and Glacier National Park in Montana are restoring the parks' unusually diverse native vegetation and inspiring local people to make it a feature of their own backyards. The two parks have been united as the Waterton Glacier- International Peace Park since 1932. This is one example of the many ways the two parks work together across our international boundary.

Abundant and diverse plant life

As the meeting place of four ecoregions - shaped by natural processes such as floods, avalanches and fires - Waterton Lakes National Park is home to an astonishing number and variety of plant species . The park contains more than half of all of the plant species found in Alberta and an unusually high number of rare plants. More than 175 of Waterton's plants are considered rare in Alberta . Of these, more than 20 are found only in the Waterton area. The park is also home to 50 plant species that are considered rare in Canada.

Restoring the biodiversity of regions means reclaiming the landscape from non-native plants that have taken root. Non-native invasive species often thrive because these plants are not susceptible to local diseases or parasites and native animals tend not to eat them. As they become established, non-native plants outcompete native species for light, water and nutrients. By doing so, they lessen the diversity of plant communities, and that affects the entire food chain.

Cross-border trade

In August and September 2002, volunteers and staff from both parks collected plant seeds and cuttings in Waterton, which were sent across the border to Glacier for propagation. Since then, the young plants have been used to restore native vegetation in Waterton, as well as to create a small garden at the Information Centre to demonstrate the beauty of native plants to local residents and visitors.

Demonstration garden at the Information Centre
© Parks Canada, J. Smith

A larger demonstration garden is being planted in the community of Waterton Park in 2004. This garden will introduce local gardeners to a sample of the rich native flora that could replace non-native plants - which may "escape" from their gardens and cause problems in the parks. With showy native flowers like wild bergamot, gaillardia, harebell and prairie crocus, encouraging people to garden with native plants is a lot easier!

Native plants in your garden

Ready to add more native plants to your garden? Native plants provide critical food for native wildlife, often require less water than non-native plants, and are often less vulnerable to pests and diseases. Learn more about gardening with native plants and link to groups in your area that can help you get started.

Bergamot ( Monarda Fistulosa ), a native plant © Parks Canada, J. Smith

Gaillardia ( Gaillardia aristata ), a native plant © Parks Canada, C. Wade

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