Piers Islander and Master Gardener in training, Brent Schorr, took up the challenge to bring gardening in our Zone 8, together with FireSmart gardening ideals for WUI (wildland urban interface) areas. He's put together a fantastic PowerPoint presentation on the subject of Landscaping with FireSmart in mind as well as a list of suggested plantings for our area.  Input came from Barb Kohlman & Nancy Keehr - Master Gardeners from VMGA and from Kelly Johnston from FireSmart Canada.  
With grant monies from UBCM and donations from Meadow Oak Nursery & Russell Nursery, both located on Wain Road in North Saanich, many lucky attendees received donated plants from the nurseries as door prizes, as well as 2 Gift Certificates, one from each nursery.  A big thank you to Meadow Oak & Russell Vicki Morrison & Brent Schorr for arranging that.
Home baked treats & refreshments were supplied by our FireSmart Board Gloria Morson, Anne Bell & Pauline Olesen.

If you missed out attending the presentation we've got links for you for the PowerPoint and for the list of recommended plants for our Zone.  And no, they are not all deer resistant...:)

This incredible project started with a kernel of an idea which was adopted and nurtured by Piers Islander Brent Schorr and the Victoria Master Gardner Association, with input directly from FireSmart.  We can't wait to see the finished presentation on August 13th.  Communities like Piers Island in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) all have the same problems.  It's exciting that a group like VMGA has taken the challenge and is geared up to present this to their group in the future.