The Network of Nature, Canada’s most comprehensive native plant database, offers insights to people living in Canada about where and how to plant native species. In collaboration with Canadian Geographic and Dougan Ecology, CIER has assembled a team of native plant experts to guide the next phase of the database.

On May 6, 2025, the council met with experts representing different regions of Canada, from coast to coast. Together, the council shared impressions and insights about the next steps for the Network of Nature, including Indigenous data management, collaboration, and potential future improvements.

The gathering encouraged experts to weigh in with guidance that was grounded in their professional and personal experiences, and they recommended additional data about how to plant native plants, and even building a message-board feature for users to work together and provide feedback about plants within the database.

The council also heard feedback about adding more information about fungi, which may help to support plant intercommunication via mycelium networks. This lends itself to an important conversation about the relationship between plants and animals, including insects. The experts agreed that the database should supplement information regarding how plants interact with one another, and other living beings.

Throughout the meeting, Indigenous Knowledge Holders engaged with database stewards at Dougan Ecology regarding Indigenous Data Management. Nancy and Dave from Dougan Ecology advised that protocols on what Indigenous communities are willing to share will vary and should be mindful of the history of misappropriation of Indigenous plant and medicinal knowledge.

After the successful gathering, the next steps are in progress, and the next meeting has been established to be held in the fall season to discuss database structures and development. More information will be posted in the future on the database’s progress, including updates on social media.