Native Plants at Killarney Lodge

For spring/summer of 2019, Killarney Lodge and Applied Research at the Pembroke Campus worked together to replace the ornamental, non-native gardens at Killarney Lodge, a resort located in Algonquin Park, with plants native to the Algonquin Park eco zone. This change follows the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act (PPCRA) requirement that non-native plants are not to be introduced or present within Algonquin Park.

All resorts in Algonquin Park’s East and West gate zone must begin to switch their ornamental non-native plant gardens with native plants, and with plant species endemic to Algonquin Park. Algonquin College is helping Killarney Lodge source and plant native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. The first round of planting started in June 2019 with Applied Research summer co-op students under the supervision of a professional landscaper hired by Killarney Lodge. The second and final round of planting is scheduled for June 2020. The summer co-op students also developed a plant inventory and guide for Killarney Lodge staff and guests.