Paul LaPorte, Owner, Ephemeral Ark Nursery
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Tracing the Roots of Native Plants, the second presentation in the series, a visual journey through 4.6 billion years of Earth’s history that traces the evolution, migration, and adaptation of plants from the fossil record to the native flora of Ontario. For in-person presentations, I bring a collection of plant fossils for participants to explore.
Paul LaPorte is the owner of Ephemeral Ark Nursery, specializing in the propagation of Ontario’s native woodland plants and ecological gardening. Based in the Greater Toronto Area Greenbelt, he studies and stewards diverse plant communities across a range of ecotypes and microclimates.
Paul is involved in several conservation initiatives, advising organizations such as Carolinian Canada, the Canada Wildlife Federation, the Ontario Invasive Plant Council, WWF Canada, and others on biodiversity, invasive species, and ethical seed collection and propagation through the Southern Ontario Seed Strategy. He is a past chair of the Ontario Native Plant Growers Association and previously served on the Ontario Biodiversity Council. He has also served as president of the North American Native Plant Society and vice chair of the Scugog Environmental Advisory Committee.
Paul is a frequent presenter to garden groups, conservation organizations, municipalities, and professional associations on ecological gardening and native plant systems, with a focus on education, advocacy, and collaborative efforts to advance this work.
Photo: James St. John