Natural Area originated when Olds College staff were alerted to a construction project that involved the widening of Highway 2A and the resulting destruction and loss of natural habitats and plant species. Staff staged a ‘plant rescue’, digging up plants and bringing them back to campus. They were installed, creating a new garden area to showcase species native to the Central Parkland ecosystem in which Olds is situated.
The plants rescued were primarily herbaceous (perennial grasses and wildflowers) and include plants more suited to upland areas such as native asters, bluebells (Campanula spp.), Canada anemone (Anemone canadensis) as well as those more comfortable with a moister setting including coltsfoot (Petasites spp.) and rushes (Scirpus spp., Juncus spp.). Woody plants were added later and can now be found well established in this site, including native rose (Rosa spp.), wolfwillow (Elaeagnus commutata), alder (Alnus spp.), river birch (Betula occidentalis) and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides). This portion of the Botanic Garden provides an interesting contrast with the more formal parts of the garden. Visitors may leave with an idea for a native plant that would be appropriate for their own setting.