Caroline Collier

I grew up as an AirForce “brat” and moved all around Canada during my formative years. I developed a love of nature early on while playing along creeks and loving to
chase butterflies. As a child I was familiar with the Monarch butterfly, which familiarity has grown in the last year. I have a keen eye for plants and love to garden. I have grown a better eye for wild flowers and native plants having learned first from my grandfather, and more recently from biologist Ed McMackin.
On a move to Vancouver in the early 70’s I became a follower of David Suzuki. Twelve years ago I followed my parents to Creston, and four years ago David Suzuki became abigger influence when he invited people to join his “Butterflyway Rangers”. We were encouraged to grow “pollinator gardens” to help create connections for local pollinators, and grow their numbers. In the process we all learned a lot about wild flowers, their relationship with pollinators and how to grow the flowers. I grew away from this group when I discovered that it was not easy to find truly native plants or native plant seed to buy in Creston. In order to get truly native seed for the Kootenays I hit the local mountain trails with a different focus. I learned much about the flowers, collecting their seeds, and planted a pollinator garden by the Town of Creston at Spectrum Farms. The intent was to introduce locals to these flowers and to encourage others to grow them as well, in their spaces. I have made many connections through this garden, including the Creston Garden Club, who invited the pollinator garden to be part of their Garden Tour
in 2025. Of special significance was the arrival of Monarch larvae – 12 beautiful caterpillars! In time a chrysalis was photographed and I had the pleasure of seeing an
adult butterfly fly away one day. The biologists in Nelson who study these endangered butterflies are especially interested to follow where this may lead.