Award-winning environmental consultant, writer, artist, photographer and naturalist, Bob Bowles will lead us in our discovery of rare and unique Alvar flora at its peak during the month of May and June. Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum), Painted Cup (Castilleja coccinea) and Balsam Ragwort (Packera paupercula) are just a few to mention among the more than 400 plants that flourish on Alvars.
Join us here at the Nature Centre on June 9th, 2024 to learn about the uniqueness of Alvars and the species at risk that make alvars their home. We’ll then take a short drive to a trailhead at the Carden Alvar to see and experience a dazzling display of rare Alvar flora.

Bob will show you his favourite Alvar plant, Rock Sandwort, Minuartia michauxii which goes by many other names over the years and is a member of the pink family. It is a low, matted plant that grows on bare limestone in full sunlight with only a few grains of sand to support its roots. It has small, pure white flowers that start to bloom at this time of year and very narrow, reduced leaves. It is Bob’s favourite flower since it grows on bare, dry sand and rock during the heat of summer with no or little water and produces many flowers. A tough little plant that can grow in such poor conditions, in the intense heat of summer Alvar, with little or no water, and still be happy producing beautiful flowers, needs to be recognised.

Send an email to robertlbowlesnaturecentre@gmail.com to reserve your spot.

You will need:
Appropriate footwear for wet and muddy patches, long sleeves, long pants and mosquito netting to help with bugs, hot sun and poison ivy, a hat, lots of water, a snack and a camera.